UKC

Snowden CragsJust wandering if lamp sessions are allowed at snowden crags in Yorkshire, it says on UKC there are no access issues but I know there are a few houses near that could be bothered.

The only sensible answer is to have a go and see what happens. Be polite and discreet, but you're never going to get lamping explicitly allowed in access notes, only explicitly disallowed. 

It's on CRoW land so legally speaking you're entitled to do so. However as with all moorland areas, rare ground nesting birds are easily disturbed at night and it may come about that the landowner requests lamping not be done so as to keep birds that are just coming in to breeding season, happiest. Such a request was made from the gamekeeper covering  Widdop. It's obviously closer to the road than the Widdop boulders are so it'd be arguable that disturbance would not be any greater than passing vehicles but just something to bear in mind as a possible outcome.  

Hi Aidan,

I was there lamping on Wednesday evening, had a brilliant session, great conditions, but returned to my van with a knifed tyre (the opinion of myself, friends, and the garage I took my van to) I have put photos on Instagram.

I was well off the road, careful and considerate. I was debating whether to put a post on here about it so happy to see your post asking about lamping.

On a positive note, what a fantastic little venue

Matty

Damn, I hope you got out okay, that’s rough. We’ll I guess I’ll just have to be abit careful and keep an eye on the car. That’s pretty strange to get a tire knifed out in the middle of the countryside. On another note, do you know how fast drying the crag is, I’ve been a few times but in the summer with no worry about wetness (or lamp sessions)

Luckily I had a spare tyre and my mate changed it for me!

I can't comment on the drying time as I've only been the once but on Wednesday pretty much everything was dry and most were in good condition (99, that's the badger, rainbow, tantric traverse, pot of gold) other than holds been a little sandy.

Enjoy mate 👍

Cheers, it’s got to be one of the best venues around for 6C-7A it’s unreal 

"returned to my van with a knifed tyre"

I am sorry to hear about your van. Out of interest, where did you park it? Along the lane below the crag or somewhere on the main Askwith Moor road?

Hi Nige, 

Thanks! 

I've attached to show where I parked. This is where the guidebook shows unless I've got it wrong. 

Matty 

Yes, that is the parking location suggested in the guidebook. Parking at that spot has become more difficult since a large boulder was placed there to partly block the space. Alternatively, there is a large parking area further along the main moor road towards Otley but it is then a bit of a trek.

To anyone reading this thread who might be thinking of visiting, please avoid parking anywhere along the single-track lane below the crag.

In reply to the OP...

Yes, the crag is on CRoW land and there is a right of access. However, the three main buttresses (and especially Tantric Buttress) all overlook the house just below the crag. Indeed, from Tantric Buttress the view is directly into the front windows of the house. For this reason, I do not think that lamping is a good idea at this venue.

I agree and on my next visit I'll park further up the road in the large area and have a longer walk in.

I'll also probably leave it until we have summer evenings back.