Dow Crag: The formidable looking Dow Crag is part of the Coniston Fells and overlooks the mountain lake known as Goat's Water. With almost one hundred and fifty different routes, named everything from Holocaust to Pandora's Box, it offers exciting climbing for intermediate level climbers and above. Established in 2003, LakesBloc.com was created with the sole aim of providing the very best online information relating to bouldering in the Lake District and its surrounding areas. Best climbing for beginners in the Lake District?In addition to Shepherd’s Crag mentioned above, we’d also recommend the following for good places to start out: The area is easily accessed from the road that runs directly below the crag and is just a short 5 minutes walk from the road. Short, who said she had been in the hospital with her brother since the accident, continued: “It became apparent that the injuries were severe and he would not be able to survive. He was then moved to a private room and I was able to stay with him so that he could die with some dignity.

Swindale. This secluded valley on the eastern side of the Lake District provides excellent climbing at a variety of grades. It has the added advantage of usually being dry when the central Lakes areas are wet. In the heart of the South Lakes, Ambleside Climbing Wall is perfectly located if you’re staying in one of our holiday cottages in Ambleside or nearby. Friendly and welcoming, this is a wall where you can just as easily start learning the basics, build up your experience, or really challenge yourself as an experienced climber. The instructors are patient and happy to offer advice covering everything from climbing skills to recommended equipment. The bouldering room, though small, has a surprisingly large number of routes that will challenge even the most experienced boulderers. There’s always Shepherds.” This is the local climber’s saying that plays out each rainy day! Such is the popularity of Shepherds Crag that climbers can be found here throughout the year, even on the wettest of days. Why Go Bouldering?If you’ve never tried it before, bouldering is a great place to get involved with climbing. Without the need to get used to using equipment, it’s an accessible way to join the sport. If you’re scared of heights, it’s also a great alternative to climbing with ropes where you go higher. AIm to conquer your fear in bouldering before progressing to higher heights. Bouldering is a great workout for the body and mind. Each route or ‘problem’, presents a challenge of trying to work out where to place your hands and feet and which techniques to use. It’s a sociable sport as you’ll often end up discussing with others how to complete a problem and the satisfaction and camaraderie of helping people solve the problem and get to the top adds to the overall enjoyment. Get involved with bouldering by going to your local wall, club or book a climbing instructor session near you. Other searches Climbing in Lake DistrictWhat makes the Lake District so appealing to climbers is the region's unique topography. Blessed with some of the country's craggiest landscapes, the Lake District is a climbing nirvana. Irrespective of your preferred type of climbing, the Lake District offers not only some of the best lead and trad climbing routes in the UK, but some fantastic bouldering as well.Boasting the tallest indoor climbing wall in England, loads of routes, excellent bouldering, and additional indoor attractions, KendalWall in Kendal has plenty to draw you in. Family and child-friendly taster sessions require absolutely no experience, while accessible CrazyClimbs and a thrilling Sky Jump will really test your mettle! More experienced climbers can try roped climbing (with walls up to 25 metres), the dedicated Training Room, The Tool Box for dry tooling, or one of two bouldering rooms (new adult climbers can also enjoy these after watching an induction video). There are also opportunities to learn with friendly and helpful courses, drop-in sessions, and private tuition. Have a read, try them out and let us know how you got on. And don’t forget to share your snaps with us at @dyno.climbing The unmanned wall at Penrith Leisure Centre in Penrith is suitable for experienced climbers with their own kit, including ropes. Perfect for lead climbing, you have 120 square metres of wall to choose from, including a couple of overhangs that provide a decent challenge. If you’re heading to the wall on your own, there are a couple of auto belays to make use of too. The Lake District is steeped in climbing history and is a fantastic place to explore combining valley and road side crags that are very accessible to high mountain crags and summits for more adventurous mountain days and alpine preparation weekends. Lakesbloc went a long way towards documenting the area's developments, but Lakes Bouldering does a whole lot more, achieving something a series of online topos never quite could. It's a guide you can keep delving into again and again, if only to spot the problems, areas and action shots you missed before. However, as well as being inspiring Lake District Bouldering is a functional guide that will get you from the parking to the problem. One thing is for sure: I'm going to be spending a lot more time in the Lakes over the next 12 months…

Roadside cragging in the historic valley of Borrowdale offers some of the most accessible multi-pitch climbing in the Lakes and a grade spread to suit anyone. From the classic lines of Little Chamonix (VD) & Brown Slabs Direct (VD) to the mid range 3 star routes of Adam (VS 5a) & Eve (VS 4c), Shepherds Crag delivers for everyone in a social setting with great views over Derwentwater and the Northern Fells. Approach via Styhead Pass after parking at Wasdale Head. Follow Climber’s Traverse below the crags until you’re below Napes Needle, then ascend Needle Gully to reach the start of the climbs.wasd As the boulders face East, they tend to catch the sun in the early afternoon, making them perfect for the early afternoon in spring and autumn. In the summer, we recommend waiting until the afternoon unless a bit of heat is your thing! Approach via the friendly High Wallowbarrow Farm, where a small donation box fee goes direct to the farm. Bear left once in the farmyard and walk uphill for 15 minutes before getting to the base of the crag.St Bees Head. The sandstone crags on the coast near Whitehaven provide some excellent bolted sport routes up to 25m long. The grades range from F3 to F7c, though the better routes tend to be in the upper grades from F6b upwards. St Bees also offers extensive sandstone bouldering across a wide range of grades – perfect when the weather is wet in the mountains. Staff and other visitors helped dismantle parts of the climbing wall to allow access to the caving tunnels.

Whether a complete novice or an experienced climber this is an activity guaranteed to leave you thrilled. Introduction courtesy of activities expert Chris from Mobile Adventure. The area is also perfect for more advanced climbers with routes reaching grades of V13, making it a perfect spot for a session with a large group of varying abilities. Staff tried to help the man and followed all emergency procedures but it became apparent that outside assistance was needed. Whether you are a family group wanting a day out climbing, or if you want to try bolted sport climbing, The Lakes Mountaineer can help you get the experience you want. Learn to lead under the expert eye of a Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, or move even further into the mountains to try multi-pitch classics across the Lake District. Find out more at www.TheLakesMountaineer.co.uk/climbingThe area can be accessed by parking at Birk Bridge Car Park and continuing on foot across the bridge and on up the large bridleway. The first boulders start a mere 300m from the parking! DO NOT drive up the bridleway