CRAG LOUGH

(High Shield Crag)

Climbs between Ravens Tower and Central Buttress

Crag picture

On DEXTER BUTTRESS - The first buttress east of Cairn.

(22) Dexterity. 65 Feet. Severe.
Starts two yards to the right of the lowest point of the buttress in a corner. Climb the broken wall to along ledge, (alternatively this ledge may be reached by a broken groove on the right). From the right hand end of the ledge, climb the right side of the wall, then trend left and over blocks to a platform and belay. Walk right to the footof a short buttress. Climb twin cracks in 15 feet to the top of the Crag.

(23) Block Chimney. 50 feet. Difficult.
An obvious chimney on the left flank. Climb the chimney to and under the jammed block. Stance and belay. Traverse right onto the front of the buttress and ascend the rock staircase to the top.

(24) Deep Gully. 35 feet. Moderate.
The first 15 feet must be climbed on rock, the finish lies up grass and soil. Auseful way down.

(25) Centurions Crack. 35 feet. Severe.

On TRAPEZIUM BUTTRESS.- the prominent buttress to the left of Deep Gully has several routes.

(26) Back Alley. 60 feet. Difficult.
Starts in the right hand corner of the west face.Climb this corner until overhanging rock calls for a short traverse to the left into a narrow chimney. Continue up the chimney and squeeze through on to a platform. Tree belay. 15 feet, easy rocks to the top of the Crag.

(27) Trapezium. 65 feet. Difficult.
Start in the same corner and then traverse left to the foot of a large detached pinnacle (the shape of the flat top of this block is a trapezium). Climb on to the top of the pinnacle. Traverse left on to the front and straight up to the platform with the tree belay.
Variation Starts
(1) 15 feet. Very difficult. Begin directly below the right hand side of the pinnacle and ascend straight to it's foot.
(2) 20 feet. Severe Begin at the foot of the tall block lying against the front of the buttress. Climb the block to its top and step into the gap bahind Trapezium. Junction with ordinary route.

(28) Spuggies Gully. 75 feet. Very difficult.
Commences in the large chimney in the front of the buttress. Climb the chimney to a ledge on the left. Block belay. Continue up the crack ahead over a chockstone into a chimney which leads to a ledge ont he right. From here various routes lead to the tree belay

On BROKEN ASH BUTTRESS
This adjoins the previous buttress on the east side, On it there is a climb which starts about five yards to the left of Spuggies Gully

(29) Broken Ash Buttress. 80 feet. Very difficult. Climb a wall for 12 feet to a small ledge. Belay. Climb chimney to a chockstone and surmount it. Continue up the wall to the right to a platform. Belay. Traverse right over an arete and up into a groove. This leads back left and up past the Broken Ash to the top of the Crag.

The small but prominent buttress lying between Central Buttress and Broken Ash Buttress has one popular climb on it.

(30) Chimney and Mantleshelf. 50 feet. Difficult.
Climb a deep chimney on the left side of a ledge on the right Block belay. Climb the mantleshelf ahead and continue up a short chimney to a grass saddle. Belay. Finally, a short wall with a grassy landing.

(31) Castor. 20 feet. Difficult.
Five yards to the east of the chimney, a pinnacle 20 feet high lies against the Crag. This is Castor, and its top is reached by climbing the crack formed between it and the main Crag.

<>Above Castor there was a similar pinnacle, Pollux, and the crack so formed was also climbed. Pollux, however, is now part of the scree below.


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