Uploaded April 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
↡ Our First Time Bouldering at Crookrise ↡
Sunday 8 April 2018 was my twenty-fourth birthday. My present from James and Hannah was that I could choose where we spent the day and, after consulting a semi-positive weather forecast, I choose to take us to a well-known Yorkshire crag called Crookrise.
Neither Hannah, James or I had been to Crookrise before - this perhaps explained why it took us nearly three hours to reach Karjala, the first boulder we wanted to climb.
The walk in to Crookrise climbs slowly from Embassy reservoir, taking in breathtaking views on the higher footpaths. We opted to drop-down along the main edge to get closer to the routes we had travelled to climb, but soon realised that we'd have been better off staying above the crag, and dropping down only when necessary. Along Crookrise edge the paths are few and far between, hundred of small boulders jutt out at awkward angles, cloaked by heather, which makes it difficult to judge each step.
On our way to Karjala we passed many of the classic lines of Crookrise, taking note that Jason's Roof is far steeper in reality than it appears on screen. Karjala too, was much different in reality than it appeared in video. It climbs brilliantly, offering generous holds but a slightly disconcerting landing that took away most of the skin on my forearm.
Barry Kingsize, however, was the line of the day. The boulder is set in it's own amphitheatre - a bold line up the centre of the boulder above a clear flat landing, rocks to sit on around the edges, and a view over the valley below. I spent a little while building up the courage to commit to a full powered jump from the flake, but once I'd given it a few goes I felt confident the boulder was within my ability.
As the evening drew in, Crookrise treated us to a several hours of golden sunlight. The views around us and the serenity of the crag reinforced a deep appreciation for our lives that days outside often bring - part of the reason I feel at home when outside interacting with the natural world.
Instagram ↡
Nathan | instagram.com/nathanbetts_
Hannah | instagram.com/hannah_outside_
Camera Kit ↡
Sony A6500 w/ Sigma 16mm, Sigma 30mm and Sony 18-105mm.
Rode Videomic.
↡ Our First Time Bouldering at Crookrise ↡
Sunday 8 April 2018 was my twenty-fourth birthday. My present from James and Hannah was that I could choose where we spent the day and, after consulting a semi-positive weather forecast, I choose to take us to a well-known Yorkshire crag called Crookrise.
Neither Hannah, James or I had been to Crookrise before - this perhaps explained why it took us nearly three hours to reach Karjala, the first boulder we wanted to climb.
The walk in to Crookrise climbs slowly from Embassy reservoir, taking in breathtaking views on the higher footpaths. We opted to drop-down along the main edge to get closer to the routes we had travelled to climb, but soon realised that we'd have been better off staying above the crag, and dropping down only when necessary. Along Crookrise edge the paths are few and far between, hundred of small boulders jutt out at awkward angles, cloaked by heather, which makes it difficult to judge each step.
On our way to Karjala we passed many of the classic lines of Crookrise, taking note that Jason's Roof is far steeper in reality than it appears on screen. Karjala too, was much different in reality than it appeared in video. It climbs brilliantly, offering generous holds but a slightly disconcerting landing that took away most of the skin on my forearm.
Barry Kingsize, however, was the line of the day. The boulder is set in it's own amphitheatre - a bold line up the centre of the boulder above a clear flat landing, rocks to sit on around the edges, and a view over the valley below. I spent a little while building up the courage to commit to a full powered jump from the flake, but once I'd given it a few goes I felt confident the boulder was within my ability.
As the evening drew in, Crookrise treated us to a several hours of golden sunlight. The views around us and the serenity of the crag reinforced a deep appreciation for our lives that days outside often bring - part of the reason I feel at home when outside interacting with the natural world.
Instagram ↡
Nathan | instagram.com/nathanbetts_
Hannah | instagram.com/hannah_outside_
Camera Kit ↡
Sony A6500 w/ Sigma 16mm, Sigma 30mm and Sony 18-105mm.
Rode Videomic.
