GUIDE TO THE KIRKSTONE BECK

NAME OF RIVER: Kirkstone Beck

WHERE IS IT?: On the A592 between Windermere and Ullswater.

PUT-INS/ TAKE-OUTS: Put In: As high up as possible! (Multimap). Take Out: Strainer at NY399110.

APPROX LENGTH: 1.5km

TIME NEEDED:

ACCESS HASSLES: The beck is within right to roam land so access is no issue.

WATER LEVEL INDICATORS: Needs a lot of rain. Most of the Lakeland becks should be running. All the tiny tribs from the fells will be full and at the get in, if there are only a few boulders showing it should be fine. We did it when it was raining.

GRADING: Continuous 3 with a few 4s in there. One drop would be a 4 but is a 5 because of an overhanging tree which is half way down and must be avoided!

MAJOR HAZARDS/ FALLS: See below.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Put in as high as possible and enjoy! There is one mandatory portage which is a low stone bridge. The river continues at a fast pace until a 3 tier drop which has pinning potential and has holed a boat! Further down is a drop which turns at right angles to the left. This would be nice, but a large branch overhangs halfway down making it a portage for those who like their limbs where they are. Continue down until a metal bar crosses, duck this.

The beck flattens out after this and is nice grade 3 boulder rapids until the take out which is a strainer near a barn.

OTHER NOTES:

CONTRIBUTED BY: Rob Beale.