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Scale Force
Summary
A well trodden approach leads to a short, scenic slot canyon with multiple drops into shallow pools.
Canyon Descent:
100m
Highest Drop:
45m
Canyon Length:
230m
Minimum Ropes:
2X 60 m
Flood Risk:
EXTREME
Access Type:
Public
Rock Type:
Granite
Catchment:
1.58km2
Duration: in, down and out:
IN: 1hr DOWN: 1- 1.5hrs OUT: 45 mins
Anchors
Mixed
Notes
2X 60m ropes required to make pull down on highest abseil possible! ⚠️ SHORT LAG TIME ⚠️ Once rope is pulled on A1 any attempt would be either very difficult or impossible. Canyon deepens as you descend.
Description
park at (54.5408560, -3.2787353). Parking cost £6 for 4hrs. Toilets available at the car park for 40p. From the car park, head out and follow the obvious signs to scale force. This track leads you through a farm and over a bridge, turn right and follow the track that contours around the hill. You will cross two smaller footbridges, after crossing the second, turn left and follow the smaller track that leads you to the end of the canyon. Once you arrive at Scale force, turn left and follow the steep track up hill until the hill lessens and the river comes back into view, A1’s anchors are in clear view of the path, you can start here or head slightly further up for a 3m slide.
The descent - in low flow the trip is not as committing and possible for experts leading novices however in high flow this should only be undertaken by experts. Most drops are in the flow and have challenges such as entrapments to watch out for, some anchors are located close to the edge and require extreme care. The descent is scenic and one of the best in the lakes. After A1 this canyon is inescapable, any attempt to escape would be very difficult or impossible. Walk back to car either the same way you came or on the main track.
See topo for more information on the descent and check water levels using the indicator on the site prior to a decent.
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This Canyon is Guided
Before entering this canyon please call the operator(s) below to prevent queuing. If you would like to be guided through this canyon get in contact with the recommended operator(s) below.
Have You Descended This Canyon Recently?
If so we would love to hear from you in the comment section below! Let the whole community know more about this canyon, Information such as time taken to: approach, descend and exit are extremely helpful, as well as any new hazards you may have come across whilst canyoning at this location.
If any information on this page is missing, incorrect or out of date, please get in contact with us directly so we can rectify as soon as possible.
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability is taken for any harm, death or loss of property from using the information found on Canyon Log. Topo features, descriptions and notes may not be accurate and could be misleading. You must carry anchor building materials, be experienced and use your own judgement when canyoning. Flooding can completely change the layout, features and conditions. Insufficient experience may result in death.
Descended 10th July 2024. Descent flow today All good. We replaced the rope and added new mallions and a wire strop to the top of the last pitch.
Descended on the 30th July 2022, The river level was high, the gorge is incredible it’s a shame it isn’t longer! Anchors are all okay for now some mallions are coming to the end of their life and will need to be replaced soon.
The walk in is about an hour to an hour and a half. The decent took us about an hour then an hour to return to the car.