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Dow Crag - Easy Terrace


by Dave Mycroft
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Short description
A classic climbers descent/high grade scramble, that traverses the biggest buttress on one of the Lake's best known climbers' crags. Although used as a descent route for climbers, Easy Terrace is no easy scramble. Particular care should be taken to wear a helmet and to be careful not to knock stones down on people below. The whole route, and the higher section in particular are no place for anyone who doesn't like exposure, but the rock is sound and navigation simple.

GPS data available for download:

Anquet file
GPX file

Route details

Region: Lake District
Start at: Goats Water
End at: Dow Crag
Start grid ref: SD266974
End grid ref: SD262977
Difficulty: Hard
Scramble element: Scramble
Grade:
Distance: 0.7 kilometres
Total ascent: 259 meters
Approx. time needed: 1 hr
   
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Long description
Approach: There are two traditional approaches to the base of Dow Crag's famous buttreses, from Goats Hause or Goats Water. From Goats Hause a traverse runs across the base of the buttresses in turn to arrive at the foot of B Buttress, whilst from Goats Water a zig zag route leads directly to the same spot.

Route: The blue Mountain Rescue box at the foot marks B Buttress, and from here move left along the continuation of the Goats Hause traverse to a gully.From here a ramp leads diagionally up to the right with good holds well marked by countless footsteps. After a slight steepening the ramp emerges onto a terrace above the lower haf of Dow Crag. Move left here, avoiding the entcing righthand continuation that leads to Intermediate Gully. A series of ledges and fine steps moves diagonlly left up the face, with a short steep section as you approach the left hand side of the buttress and the side of Great Gully. The route now twists right to join and follow the edge of the buttress to the summit ridge. On a good day the views from here are spectacular, beniffitting from an unobstructed view to the west and the Coniston Fells to the south east.
Descent: A short walk brings you to the Top Of Dow Crag, with descents via Goats Water to Coniston and Goats Hause for an ascent of Coniston Old Man and a subsequent descent..
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