Having located the crag, traversing the base can be a challenge. There are some fine lines but the top outs are mainly on to loose rock and earth, causing risk to the climbers and their belayers or anyone below. There are plenty of trees to abseil down from, which may be safer than crossing to the few descent lines.
Guidebooks;
North of England Rock Climbs - Stewart Wilson - 1992 .This guide is far more comprehensive than the later one and lends itself to a far more worthwhile visit if it can be got hold of.
North East England - Crowe, Bennett & Turner 2003
Nettles can be a hazard and the base of the crag is frequently muddy.
There are worrying reports of "bolting" (June 2015).
Parking and Approach
Due to a serious road accident the laybys by the old access path have been filled in. Park near the Caravan site entrance on the opposite side of the road where there is a quite large grassy "layby".
The National Trust have put bright green marks on trees to show the line of a proposed path between the parking place and the West end of the crag which will become more obvious with use. To locate the green marks, head directly up the hillside for approximately 50m ,(from the Reeth end of the layby ), now continue upwards and leftwards and the luminous splashes/arrows should become visible. Continue through some spaced orange marker posts which contour the slope. The crag is some way further up and to the left.
CRoW Information
Open access land, designated under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000) give area access rather than linear access as provided by public rights of way. It also gives a legal right of access specifically for climbing, as well as walking and other quiet recreation on foot.
Please bear in mind however that the landowner still has the right to restrict access for up to 28 days per year (often used on public safety grounds for shooting in moorland areas), and can also apply for longer term restrictions with Natural England (such as bans on dogs, or regular restrictions during particular times of year). It is important to check for these restrictions regularly as they can be added at short notice – all details for open access land in England can be found on Natural England’s website .