Crags

Hodge Close has received significant rainfall over recent weeks (266mm in 28 days) with 7.5mm falling yesterday and light precipitation overnight into today; the sheltered quarry bowl will still be damp despite the non-porous slate. With only a single marginal dry day and more heavy rain forecast from tomorrow, conditions are not suitable for climbing on the polished slate surfaces.

Dow Crag has been battered by persistent wet weather over the past two weeks — 210mm in 28 days with significant rain on April 3–4 (39mm), April 11 (15mm), and April 12 (5mm). Although today shows only trace precipitation, the crag has had virtually no meaningful drying window at 600m altitude, and seepage lines will be running extensively; conditions are unsuitable for climbing.

Almscliff has experienced frequent light rain over the past week with no sustained dry spell, and today itself has 0.5mm of precipitation. Despite the exposed hilltop position and favourable S/W aspect, the cumulative moisture from repeated wettings (42mm over 28 days with rain on most recent days) means the gritstone is very likely still holding internal moisture. We recommend not climbing today.

Bowden Doors has received frequent light-to-moderate rain over the past week (6.4mm in 7 days including 3.1mm on April 11, 0.6mm on April 12, and 1.3mm today), with zero consecutive fully dry days — the rock has not had adequate time to dry internally despite the exposed aspect. While individual rain events have been light, the cumulative effect on porous Fell Sandstone without a sustained dry spell means internal moisture is likely still elevated.

Crag Lough has received frequent light precipitation over the past week (13.9mm in 7 days, including 1.9mm yesterday and 1.1mm forecast today) with no meaningful dry spell, and the north-facing aspect at 260m means surface moisture will linger despite the exposed position. The dolerite won't be damaged but is likely to be greasy and slippery, making climbing inadvisable today.

The rock has received repeated light-to-moderate rainfall over the past week (3.5mm on Apr 11, 1.0mm on Apr 12, and 1.2mm forecast today), with no consecutive dry days established. Despite Kyloe Out's exposed SW aspect aiding drying, the cumulative moisture loading from frequent showers means the porous Fell Sandstone is very likely still holding internal moisture and should not be climbed today.

Despite one dry day today following yesterday's 7.8mm of rain, the preceding period has been extremely wet (270.9mm in 28 days, 50.1mm in the last 7 days alone) and humidity remains high. Polished slate at Buckstone How will be treacherously greasy with residual surface moisture and seepage from saturated surrounding ground — we recommend waiting for a longer dry spell.

Castle Rock has been subjected to an extremely wet period — 51.7mm on April 11 followed by 11.4mm on April 12 — with only a trace-dry day today; the crag is almost certainly still damp, especially on seepage-prone north crag sections. With more rain forecast from tomorrow, conditions are not expected to improve this week.

Raven Crag received 9.6mm of rain yesterday (April 12) with the last light showers ending late evening, and today is the first dry day following a prolonged wet spell totalling nearly 300mm over the past 28 days. While the south-facing volcanic rock can dry relatively quickly, only one dry day with moderate temperatures and limited wind is insufficient to confidently clear surface moisture and seepage lines — especially given the saturated ground conditions.

Scout Crag received nearly 10mm of rain yesterday (April 12) with the last showers falling late in the evening, and today has seen only negligible drying so far with minimal precipitation (0.1mm) but high humidity. While the south-facing BVS rock is non-porous and dries relatively quickly, tree drip from above and the very recent rain mean surfaces are likely still damp, and further heavy rain is forecast from tomorrow.

Despite a promising condition report yesterday afternoon and some drying wind, Simonside received 4.6mm of rain on the 12th (much of it in the afternoon/evening), plus 0.6mm today, following a wet week with nearly 10mm total. The NW-facing aspect at 430m with high humidity and overnight temperatures near freezing means insufficient drying time has elapsed for confidence in rock integrity.