UKC

Climbs 29
Rocktype Sandstone (hard)
Altitude 310m a.s.l
Faces W

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Westerdale Moor and Esklets Crag from the Old Railway © asherh

Crag features

A compact buttress boasting many worthwhile cracks and interesting highball solos. The classics of Esklets Eliminate, Right Unconquerable and Slip and Fly are not to be missed.

Approach notes

Close to Ralph's Cross take the signposted road NW towards Westerdale and park at a green barrier on the left hand side of the road approximately 1.5 miles north. Tseveral cars on the grass verge if parked with care. Take the very well made

No Access Issues

Due to ground nesting birds the land owners have been granted a 5 year dog ban.

Some of the routes contain blocks and flakes that are not above suspicion. Although there are some fine routes, the top-outs are generally serious, comprising loose peaty earth and insubstantial heather. It is not unusual for climbers to complete their routes by making sketchy traverses onto adjacent climbs with marginally better tops. There are rumours of the odd belay stake and one block, but most leaders "body" belay from a trench some metres back from the outcrop edge.

Please note the "new" Access notes detailing a suggested route to the crag which is along a well made track, avoids having to struggle through thick heather and will prevent further conflict.
Mike Conlon - 28/Jan/15
Sunny November day. 9 degC and 21 mph westerly wind onto a west-facing crag at 310m sounds unpromising, but it was fine. The valley is narrow and the ridges on either side rise over 400m. The wind was much weaker on the face, but enough to dry it out after heavy overnight rain. The crag was a nice place to be as it warmed up in the sunshine. Last climbs of the day in glorious autumnal sunset.
johnjb - 04/Nov/13
On leaving the crag on Monday eveing (17/06/13) we were approached by game keepers who said we shouldn't be climbing here. There are no restrictions on the RAD so the BMC have been notified. Will update when I know more.
Jamie Brown - 21/Jun/13
went last night, got accosted by gamekeeper afterwards- but it's all on open access land so should be fine. Big fence around the top. Good rock, steep and grading (from smartboys online) to be treated with suspicion. Top outs horrible and midgy last night but beautiful quiet place
lithos - 18/Jun/13
Beautiful place. Great if you're operating at HVS-E2.
Franco Cookson - 07/Apr/13
The rock is excellent & some routes do look good. Will be back armed with a rope to do the crack of Right Unconquerable & i`d like to get rid of some heather & mud from the harder routes. Was`nt much of a walk in either, parked at the westerdale road at the pond & caught shooters paths all the way practically!
phleppy - 05/Aug/10
Quality crag, that is now pretty much ignored. No evidence of recent climbing when i've been. It's a local crag for me and its got plenty on it. Although the grades do demand respect and the topouts are quite challenging, a good place to practice that heather grabbin'!
DaveWarb - 10/Mar/08
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Climbs at this crag

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