More swift climbing

It's been a fantastic weekend of looking at moving efficiently on rock.

The total for our weekend of climbing Diff to VS routes

25 pitches              5 crags

23 "stars"               8 routes

4 abseils

not bad for leasurely starts and being back in the pub before 5pm!

We climbed on Scout Crags; Gimmer; White Ghyll; Pavey Ark and Raven Crag

The list reads like a navigation through the Langdale routes of Classic Rock Climbing in Langdale

The Slabs, Route 1 - 3-stars                     Stoat's Crack - 2-stars

Route 1 (Scout Crag) - 3-star                    Middlefell Buttress - 3-star

"D" Route - 3-star                                Ash Tree Slabs- 3-star

North West Arete- 3-star                           Bracket & Slab- 3-star

So I'm off for an early night and back on the rock on Tuesday - the weather looks excellent for the Lakes this week.

Grade 3 Scrambling on St Sunday Crag

We headed up Pinnacle Ridge today, it's a fantastic scramble. Dave & Nigel practiced finding the route in the guide book and we did some brief revision of scrambling rope work before heading up the route. As predicted the weather changed in teh early afternoon and it snowed! There was sufficient grauple for it to build up on backpacks but everyone enjoyed the day, with me stepping into the lead whenever concerns were raised.

I've been late with blogs but will try to add photos and more later.

Scrambling in South Lakes

Glorious day out with Paula, Sue, Jane, Nicole and Sarah. We started the day scrambling up a ghyl near to where they camped overnight. The riverbed was dryer than I've seen it before which allowed us to ascend water shutes and explore areas I've not been to before.

A bit of ropework for extra confidence & security allowed everyone to climb some challenging ground.

Next we headed off to Jack's Rake, a fantastic (and popular) scramble up and across the large face of Pavey Ark

On the way back down to the Sticklebarn pub for a well earned drink we slid through a dog-gate (well, almost all of us!). For a laugh(?)

Cumbria and Lakes conditions 22~25 April

Frost on the car and blue skies today.

Weather looks good for Thu, Fri, Sat with cool nights and dry days across Cumbria & Snowdonia.

Warmer at the weekend. If you're planning to get out in the Lakes or Wales this weekend then Saturday should be the better day as rain might arrive on Sunday morning.

I'm busy on Saturday - Paula has booked another fun trip. It's wonderful when clients either progress through their climbing/scrambling/navigation, or try different areas and actvities. Over the past 2 years with Paula's family and friends I've;

Taken her husband & friends scrambling & wild camping weekend including Scafell Pike.

Family weekend with their 2 children scrambling & rock climbing, including Crib Goch and Snowdon.

4-day winter skills trip for 5 friends, enjoying winter conditions in the Cairngorms, Aonach Mor, and summitting Ben Nevis.

Supported their charity walk of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks (Ingleborough, Pen y Ghent, Whernside).

Saturday will be another day of adventure with 5 ladies (they've promised to behave.... a little bit) we've planned a ghyl trip followed by a scramble and some short rock climbs. Suncream, water, rock, and great laughs.

I'm Available for Climbing, Scrambling, or Navigation on Sunday

Lakes Scrambling - Langdale

Scrambling in the Lakes, near Ambleside, in spring.

We had a great day out, starting at the larger National Trust car park in Langdale, grabbing a bacon sandwich at the New Dungeon Ghyll, then heading up Stickle Ghyll. The weather was dry and warm so we scrambled up waterfalls and rock-hopped along the stream (so much more interesting than the path), using a rope wherever it got steep.

Then after stopping for a bite to eat at Stickle Tarn we headed up Jack's Rake where Andrew demonstrated his confidence.

Jack's Rake is a justifiably popular scramble up the steep S.E. face of Pavey Ark. It takes a rising channel up through the steep clifs with serious rock climbs above and below. Beware, because although the route's not too hard the popularity of the cliff brings a lot of people hazards such as falling rocks and it can be slow going if you're behind an inexperienced or nervous group. Also it's worth noting that a slip out of the Rake would bring very serious consequences.