Category: Advanced Scrambling Skills

Mountain activities in the Lake District - A Medley

9/7/2019

Rock scrambling workshop at the weekend

Since returning from our little break in Snowdonia, it's been really busy here in the Lakes and we've been out daily on a variety of activities and adventures.
A last minute call from some friends Dave & Sam saw me switching the work schedule around a little to fit in a Rock Scrambling Workshop for them. We did this mostly on Tarn crag in the Langdale valley. Looking at a variety of core rope skills and focusing on efficient movement and rope management whilst mountaineering in the UK mountains.

Straight after our scrambling workshop I was away out climbing at White Ghyll crag, also in Langdale. Sam joined me for this and we climbed a route called 'The Gordian Knot' a 3 star VS with some wonderful climbing on it. Evening is the best time to be at White Ghyll as it benefits from evening sunshine, perfect.

Sunday was a mix rock scrambling and canyoning, all based around the Coniston area. And back into Langdale on Monday and more wet activity with a fantastic session in Stickle Ghyll with brothers Isaac and Luke. The afternoon was somewhat more leisurely with a walk around Loughrigg with Mina.

Lots more happening this week, plenty of walks too

Thanks all

Mark

Enjoying some after work cragging with Sam

Stickle Ghyll, Langdale

Looking over Loughrigg Tarn to the Langdale Pikes

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A couple of days honing our technical and teaching skills

14/4/2019

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Considering when to get the rope out whilst scrambling whilst enjoying sublime conditions in Langdale

We spend a lot of time passing on new skills to our clients, this could be anything from how to read a map to leading a trad rock climbing route. This covers a lot of skills and information, so we need to also be keeping on top of this and always want to be learning new things so we can pass on new skills and latest developments to you.

This last couple of days we have attended two different courses, both focused on teaching mountain based skills.

Firstly a 'Teaching scrambling' day. For this we used White Ghyll Edge and Tarn crag in ascent and descent. As a group of 5 we talked through movement skills and coaching, when and where spotting can be appropriate, route choice and route finding skills. We later considered when would be appropriate to deploy a rope and how best to use it / show it's uses in an easy to remember format. This was an incredibly useful day, with lots of ideas shared. A real take-home improvement for me is the introduction of a clove hitch when taking coils. This brings a great improvement in stability when attached to anchors.

Day two was focused on 'Teaching self rescue skills'. Not something we are asked to do very often and an area many become rusty in, as thankfully these are skills we don't use much.
It was very useful to simply watch someone else explain all the basics, starting with tying off a belay device and attaching a prussic. Setting up an assisted and unassisted hoist, all whilst 'in the system'.
We then went climbing at Upper Scout crags in Langdale and worked through a number of 'scenarios' whilst climbing. Again, it was really useful to share ideas and look at how others approach problem avoidance and problem solving. An important theme that ran through the day was very much 'problem avoidance' as this is so much better than looking for solutions!
We managed a couple of multi-pitch routes before the icy wind chilled us all and we ran back to the valley floor.

Two brilliant days, very well delivered by Nick Canon Jones, thanks Nick.

Mark

Easier but still serious terrain near the top of Tarn crag, Langdale

Exploring different methods of releasing a 'guide' style belay device

A simple and effective assisted hoist set up

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Bernia ridge - new routes and discoveries

15/12/2018

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Looking back along the crest of Bernia

Some days give more adventure than others. Today gave us lots, it was the day that kept on giving.

A couple of weeks ago, whilst walking with friends around the Bernia ridge circuit, I'd spotted a line of bolts in the rock and was keen to know more about where they led to. Having since done lots of research online, I'd come up with absolutely no information relevant to the route! So complete with a full 'trad' rack I set off with friends Kim and Miguel so we could find out for ourselves.

The 1st pitch provided to be an enjoyable layback corner crack, this was fun but some of the holds were worryingly loose so it took us a little longer than anticipated. A double bolt belay gave us reassurance and safety, phew!

The next pitch provided a lot more in the way of loose rock / rubble climbing, this required a very delicate approach. No bolts now and not much in the way of 'trad' gear, now we were committed.

Pitch 3 - After a few metres of loose climbing a fine rib presented itself and proved to be great fun, and solid! Good moves and positions led up to a great belay stance with stunning views over to Puig Campana and Ponoch. The angle eased off now and we put the ropes away. A mix of easy scrambling and walking led us quickly up to the ridge proper.
As it was getting a little late, our plan was to reverse the ridge, however we were now too far along to easily do this, so once again were committed. We put our Duracell hats on and powered along the ridge rapidly and efficiently. But still taking some time to admire our location and surroundings, such an awesome place.

Walking down from the ridge I had mixed feelings. Happiness that we hadn't pulled any big rocks off and were all safe and well. Sadness that the route up to the ridge had provided to be disappointing climbing. I was reminded by Miguel that not every new route we do is going to be amazing. But by continually searching out new ways up the mountains, new lines on crags, new crags, we are able to share the best - and there are some amazing places - of these places with you.

All in all, another satisfying day in the mountains, exploring and adventuring. Thanks to Miguel and Kim for joining and helping out on this one :-)

Mark

The view looking inland is pretty good too!

Kim and Miguel nearing the end of the traverse this afternoon

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Pinnacle Ridge - Advanced rock scrambling skills day

8/8/2017

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#pinnacle ridge #advanced scrambling course #lake district

The Pinnacles of Pinnacle Ridge

Another visit to the magnificent Pinnacle Ridge on St. Sunday Crag for us today. Jo & David were keen to progress their scrambling skills and move from grade 1 up to grade 3 routes. A rope is often to help protect more difficult and exposed scrambles. Today was about passing on some of the skills necessary to do this in a safe manner.

Pinnacle Ridge is a good route for this as protection is abundant and easy to arrange during its entire length. For most of the way Jo & David alternate led the route in pitches, thus allowing for lots of practice at selecting belay anchors and using the Italian Hitch (Munter Hitch) for belaying. We covered indirect and direct belay techniques as well as incorporating the use of spike belays using only the rope. A little time was spent discussing escape options from scrambles, with Abseil skills being looked at briefly.

David did a fine job of leading the crux corner pitch and the pinnacles. After this both were keen to see 'short-roping' in action so I took the lead for the final short section to demonstrate this.

After a warm and sunny day on the ridge, rain arrived as we reached the top, great timing for sure. A quick and easy walk back to Patterdale accompanied by those ever splendid views to Ullswater.

Thanks to Jo & David, we hope you enjoy the Rock Scrambling for many years to come and hope to see you both again for more.

Mark

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Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday crag

23/5/2017

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The Pinnacles of Pinnacle ridge

It's been a busy few days here and the whole time the sun has been shining too. A mixture of guided walks, rock climbing, and rock scrambling has all been enjoyed.
Today I was out with Mark on the magnificent Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday crag. Without doubt this is one of the very finest scrambles in the Lake District. With continuous interest and dramatic positions throughout its entire length and amazing views towards the Helvellyn range and down to Ullswater.

We were just ahead of a large group of youngsters from Outward Bound, this allowed us to watch their progress without any of us being in each others way, perfect. Due to the exposed nature of the terrain and occasional loose blocks, we roped up for the whole route, this adds a little time to an ascent, but well worth considering for anyone thinking of heading here. A soloist did pass us, but everyone else we saw was roped up.

During our lunch break at the top, we were able to watch the Outward Bound party negotiate the pinnacles from our vantage point.

An easy and picturesque return to Patterdale, complete with bluebell meadows. A fine mountaineering day indeed.

Thinking of having a go this summer? Get in touch if you'd like any guidance, route information, or to hire us for the day.

Mark

How to scramble Pinnacle ridge, Lake District

The crux moves on Pinnacle ridge

Helvellyn guided walks in the Lake District

The Helvellyn range

Bluebell meadow above Ullswater

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Multi-pitch rock climbing and a day of roped scrambling - fun times

17/6/2015

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On Sunday I had the pleasure of a morning with Andzelika & Eugene from Ulverston. We've now climbed together a few times, but so far this has always been in the Langdale valley. Eager to show off more fine climbing venues in the Lakes and somewhere a little closer to Ulverston, I chose Wallowbarrow crag in the Duddon valley.

A multi-pitch route of 'vdiff' standard was chosen, 4 pitches in length and providing excellent and varied climbing the whole way. Trinity Slabs was to be their second multi-pitch route to date (the first being Middlefell Buttress in Langdale) and I think the exposure and moves were thoroughly enjoyed. It's always a fine achievement to arrive at the top of a long climb, and today was no exception.
As well as enjoying the climb, we took the time to practice belaying, look at various anchor set-ups, and chat about other safety considerations. Climbing in 'series' allows for a more relaxing time, less rope management problems, and more time for teaching skills to each climber.
All in all, a grand morning, and it stayed dry!

Monday was spent working on CPD, and specifically Rock Scrambling skills and techniques when moving as a team of 3.
So along with Kristina (who was looking for a good mountain day out), and Si (who wanted to recce the routes we were about to do), I headed out into Langdale and Middlefell Buttress followed by Crescent Climb on Pavey Ark.

My motivation being the ability to try out new techniques and further consolidate existing skills and have direct feedback on a continual basis.
Middlefell went very well and we made a rapid ascent, even the final steep wall proving quick an easy, clearly we were all moving well today.
So far we had looked at distance between the two seconds, length of an isolation loop for the person in the middle of the rope, stance management, belay methods, and various ways of attaching scramblers to the anchor system, phew!

Once clear of the top of the crag we un-roped and moved quickly to Pavey Ark, where the next chapter of scrambling would begin. There were already climbers on a neighbouring route (Crescent Slabs) ,but this was unlikely to effect us. After a brief rest we roped up again and I set off up this 'Moderate' climb / scramble. The aim initially was to find a belay within about 25m of the start. Thankfully this was duly found, an excellent spike, although slightly shallow, the rock was totally sound and a downward force would keep a sling firmly in place. A very good start to the route.

Belaying with an Italian Hitch, it's easy to quickly tie off when the first scrambler arrives, thus leaving both hands free to manage the rope for the second climber. Sometimes I was able to use a counter-balance to secure Si & Kristina, other times clove hitches were more appropriate, and the immediate feedback from both was invaluable.

We hit a minor traffic jam on the traverse pitch (the other climbers we'd seen earlier had arrived on the traverse at the same time as we did), so a little patience was called for, as well as some good humoured banter.
The final pitch of this route is very straightforward, if exposed, scrambling up grassy slopes to reach Jacks Rake. From here we un-roped and made our way down the Rake and into the valley.
A very good day out, thanks both. Feedback was 'Nice and slick' - splendid.

And yesterday was back onto rock climbing once more. This time White Ghyll.
Jane being a very experienced climber, we were alternate leading the pitches of Slab Routes 1 & 2. These give some very interesting climbing on excellent rock. Protection is adequate but never overly generous, this helps keep the mind well focused on the task.
Climbing in this way is very efficient, so we soon had the first route ticked and were back at the crag base in time for an early lunch.
Then it was onto the second route. Although described as a 3 pitch route, there are definitely 4 if using a single rope as we were. The climbing wanders around quite a lot in the early pitches, but this brings with it some amazing positions. The upper sections are quite straight and it's more a case of head towards the sky style climbing, picking what looks best along the way.
We briefly touched on some skills along the way, but mostly today was about time on rock, enjoying brilliant Lakeland rock. White Ghyll delivers.

Thanks to Jane, Kristina, Si, Andzelika, and Eugeniusz

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Mountain activities in the Lake District - A Medley

A couple of days honing our technical and teaching skills

Bernia ridge - new routes and discoveries

Pinnacle Ridge - Advanced rock scrambling skills day

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday crag

Multi-pitch rock climbing and a day of roped scrambling - fun times

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