Climbing the crux pitch
Today we had the pleasure of introducing Steve to the delights of Ridge Scrambling. What better a venue than the superb Bernia Ridge. Marvelled at by many as they cruise up and down the coastal motorway, but always a quite place once up on the ridge.
This is not a place for anyone without a head for heights - the drops are huge - and Steve quickly got to grips with this. Being a super fit road cyclist we blasted up to the Forat and whilst the rest of us sorted kit, Steve ventured through the tunnel to the South side of the ridge. We soon set off for the final section of approach, up the rocky path to gain the ridge just below t he East summit.
Being joined by Kim & Ann, we were able to leapfrog on various sections and share ropes where appropriate, thus saving some rope-faff time for us all. We did spend a few minutes placing some fixed gear (rope) for a short abseil/down-climb, we've done this a few times previously and each time someone removes it! Why, we don't know. It seems a perfectly valid place to equip.
We continued as far as the bolted climbing section - the crux - before stopping for lunch (slightly overcooked tortilla for me)! Steve being new to climbing, I made sure to clip all the bolts for maximum protection, and he cruised the pitch in no time. We waited in the sun on the small summit above, then the 4 of us began the meandering descent to the final col. As there is a fixed abseil station here we arranged for an abseil descent (scrambling down is also fine and quite straightforward), but not before Steve had signed the visitors book to say 'Bernia ridge - tick :-)'
Another brilliant day out, thanks to Steve, Kim, and Ann.
Mark
This is not a place for anyone without a head for heights - the drops are huge - and Steve quickly got to grips with this. Being a super fit road cyclist we blasted up to the Forat and whilst the rest of us sorted kit, Steve ventured through the tunnel to the South side of the ridge. We soon set off for the final section of approach, up the rocky path to gain the ridge just below t he East summit.
Being joined by Kim & Ann, we were able to leapfrog on various sections and share ropes where appropriate, thus saving some rope-faff time for us all. We did spend a few minutes placing some fixed gear (rope) for a short abseil/down-climb, we've done this a few times previously and each time someone removes it! Why, we don't know. It seems a perfectly valid place to equip.
We continued as far as the bolted climbing section - the crux - before stopping for lunch (slightly overcooked tortilla for me)! Steve being new to climbing, I made sure to clip all the bolts for maximum protection, and he cruised the pitch in no time. We waited in the sun on the small summit above, then the 4 of us began the meandering descent to the final col. As there is a fixed abseil station here we arranged for an abseil descent (scrambling down is also fine and quite straightforward), but not before Steve had signed the visitors book to say 'Bernia ridge - tick :-)'
Another brilliant day out, thanks to Steve, Kim, and Ann.
Mark
Abseiling down a steep section (this is the only obligatory abseil on the ridge)
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