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Last Updated: 28/10/2007

	Lake District Loose Rock Warnings!
		FELL and ROCK CLIMBING CLUB of the English Lake District

This page is designed to warn climbers of loose rock hazards. Needless to say there will be many other areas of loose rock in the Lake District. If it is possible to do so safely, climbers are urged to remove them themselves. If it is not possible, informing the relevant Mountain Rescue Team may be the best option.

BORROWDALE
Shepherd's Crag (p109)

Derision Groove Rockfall (reported 5th August 2007)

Photos: Rockfall on Thin Air (Terry Kenny)

A massive rock fall has occurred on Shepherd's Crag in the vicinity of Shepherd's Gully and Derision Groove. My guess is that it has occurred in the last week. It certainly hadn't occurred 2 weeks ago. The fall is from the previously overhanging, loose section immediately above the top little traverse on Derision Grove. This is just left of Thin Air (see photos). The fall was big enough to take out the large tree half way up Shepherd's Gully and the whole area is littered with rock and tree debris. Both Derision Groove and Shepherd's Gully remain unsafe, since loose rocks remain above, entangled in tree roots. From what I could make out, Derision Groove itself remains intact. In particular, the loose flakes half way up appear in situ still. Likewise, Shepherd's Gully is intact. Terry Kenny.

A local volunteer squad has now removed much of the hanging debris from this area including a block the size of a TV. They consider it safe to climb but as they say "You can never be 100% sure" so wear a helmet and proceed at your own risk!

Richard Tolley adds: 17th October 2007, in the course of work for the next Borrowdale Guide we climbed Derision Groove. This had been the scene of a serious rockfall in August. As reported much of the remaining loose debris has been removed. The climb has not been greatly affected by the rockfall. There are only small amounts of debris remaining on the stances or at the foot of the climb and there is no need to make contact with the rockscar. The last few moves of the climb are considerably easier than they were, although the grade remains at Mild Very Severe (4b). The tree roots that probably caused the collapse still hold a few small blocks but they don't appear unsafe and the climb is undoubtedly a safer proposition than it was before the rockfall.

RAVEN CRAG WALTHWAITE
Warning! Warning! A MAJOR ROCKFALL in the area of of Walthwaite Crack (Yosemite Crack) took place ca 30th Dec 2006. From Colyn Earnshaw (Lakes BMC): The major rockfall, possibly around 100 tons of rock has removed Walthwaite Crack (aka Yosemite Crack) VS and cleared a large area to the adjoining climb, Cliff at Christmas HVS, on the right. The new area on the crag is still very unstable, with some 'blocks' still waiting to come down. Whether there will be further falls here is a matter for conjecture, but, having looked at the 'scar and the area, it seems likely.

The area at the base of the crag below the scar, and to the wall some distance below is 'trashed'. Climbers should be aware of the situation and take what they see as appropriate action.

A notice warning climbers of the situation is in preparation and will be placed in the region of the gate at the road access asap. For photos see Langdale East.

BORROWDALE - GOWDER CRAG
WARNING!! Tragically, on 17th June 2005, a huge block came out killing the climber who was leading the top pitch of Fool's Paradise. There is still much loose and dangerous debris in the vicinty, in fact the whole buttress seems to be getting looser, and climbers are strongly advised to avoid the climb, if not the crag.

BORROWDALE - SHEPHERDS CRAG
WARNING!! There is a dangerous loose block a few moves below the first peg on North Buttress - Please be very careful.

LANGDALE - RAVEN CRAG WALTHWAITE

WARNINGS!! Rock at the bottom of the corner-groove of Walthwaite Crack (aka Yosemite Crack) has become unstable. A small rockfall had occurred recently leaving two highly unstable blocks which fell out as Jim Loxham passed them by - no-one hurt, but it does raise the question as to how safe the rest of those large blocks jammed at the base of the corner are. It is possible to climb the route without touching the blocks, but not without approaching from directly from below.

The block at the start of pitch 2 of Route 2 (just above the little tree) has become very loose. Take care, in particlular not to picnic below the route if someone is on it (RW).

The big blocks making up the Bracket of Bracket and Slab are appparently worryingly unstable - noticed August 2006.

GABLE CRAG
WARNING - the huge, poised blocks forming the top pitch of The Jabberwock/Unfinished Arete, and part of The Tombstone are in a very dangerous condition! If one "pops" it'll be not only dire for the team involved, but for anyone on the approach scramble!