Steve wanted to go to Stonesty Crag as he hadn’t been there before. I had been to Stonesty Summit Crag before and so I knew the walk up from Moasdale was a very tough and steep trek! But my warning wasn’t enough to put him off, so off we headed…
It’s a good job that Steve’s resolve was solid as we had a brilliant day with the most amazing views of Eskdale, Scafell, and the west Cumbrian coast.
The walk was made even more demanding by the oppressive heat. The following day was the hottest day of the year. So the day of our visit, Thursday 19th June, was likely only the second hottest day of the year! 😉
Of course it’s impossible to know for sure, but it is very possible that we were only the second team of climbers to make the trip over to this very high (700+m) and remote crag. Perhaps making only the second ascents of the two two-star VS climbs on Stonesty South Crag that had piqued Steve’s interest.
However, what is for sure is that we immediately spotted that this crag had space for some more climbs! Therefore on those climbs we were certainly the first to climb those particular pieces of rock…
We climbed both routes ground-up and on-sight. Good for us! 😆
Wild Horses 25m E1 5a **
Start up the broken groove to a tricky move left on to the face from the large flat handhold/ledge. Move rightwards across the pleasant wall to a pinnacle block below the right side of the overhang and use the good flake holds on the bulging wall to boldly gain the finishing slab.
S Scott, P Sterling 19.06.2025
Stonesty Arête 24m VS 4b **
The left arête of the wonderfully featured wall provides a climb with little protection but surprisingly straightforward climbing thanks to the amazing rough and positive holds. Join the easy slab of Hedonism Revisited to finish.
P Sterling, S Scott 19.06.2025