Category: Borrowdale Rock Climbing

Rock climbing refresher weekend

13/5/2022

#corvus-hand-traverse-raven-crag-lake-district

The classic 'hand traverse' pitch on Corvus

There has been so much going on here and so many activities, I'm quite behind with blogging.
This one is all about last weekend, when I was helping out my friend Iain of Lakes Outdoor Experience, a Kendal based Outdoor activity provider. Whilst he is taking a well earned holiday, I ran a 2 day refresher climbing course on his behalf. With a father and son team with a long and colourful climbing history. After some time away from the crags, this weekend was all about re-familiarisation with the rock, all whilst enjoying some easy classics.

We started with Corvus on Raven crag, Borrowdale. The rock was a little damp making it more challenging than expected, but all good fun. The route had a few other teams on it making all the belay ledges social times, chewing the fat with fellow climbers. This also meant we took a little extra time on the route, allowing us to enjoy the positions and views even more.

Day two and we moved south to Langdale. Middlefell Buttress was our starter route. The rock was completely dry here and a delight to climb. After lunch Mark needed to head home, so me & Dan moved over to the main crag and climbed Evening Wall and Original Route.

At each belay, we discussed the anchor choices and stance management, all areas that will be useful when these guys are back on the Pembrokeshire sea cliffs they call home. Equalising anchors and abseil set ups were other areas we touched upon and as well as a great two days of climbing, some new skills have been passed on, ace :-)

Thanks to Iain at Lakes Outdoor Experience for the work, much appreciated.

If planning a visit to the Lakes and wanting to sample some of the amazing activities on offer here, please do get in touch, we'd be very happy to help.

Thanks for reading.
Mark

#guided-rock-climbing-ambleside-lake-district

Evening Wall on a busy Raven Crag

#rock-climbing-course-ambleside-lake-district

Middlefell Buttress

#guided-rock-climbing-corvus-lake-district

View from the top of Corvus

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Sunny rock climbing days - Lake District

29/9/2018

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Enjoying a warm autumn day at Wallowbarrow crag

This last couple of days we've been out climbing with friends. Since the sun decided to make a return and the rock is all lovely and dry, we thought, why not? One of the advantages of living in the Lake District is the ability to get out into the mountains and onto the crags pretty much anytime. Our season is nearing its end, with a busy winter in Costa Blanca starting in a little over 2 weeks from now, I was super keen to get a few more Lakeland climbs in before heading South.

So yesterday Sam joined me for a day at Wallowbarrow crag in the Duddon valley. I think this is my favourite valley crag. Not only is the rock of excellent quality and all the routes a delight to climb. The approach walk is pleasant and short, the valley is almost always quiet, and the view from the top of the crag is breathtaking.
During the afternoon we climbed 'Digitation' VS; 'Thomas' Severe; and 'Bryanston' MVS. All fabulous routes that I have climbed many times before and hope to climb many more times over the coming years.

Today I was joined by Lucy and we cruised up Troutdale Pinnacle in the Borrowdale valley. This 6 pitch classic route is so much fun and varied all the way. We saw a couple of guys on 'Mortician' but the rest of the crag was empty, yes even on a warm and sunny Saturday! I've lost count of how many times I've climbed this one, but it's lots and always as much fun as the first time.

For both days we chose afternoons to get out and this gave us the most sunshine on the rock and the best light conditions each day. Late starts are sometimes the best. So whilst evening climbing isn't a good option at this time of year, late afternoon is well worth considering.

Some may wonder why we repeat routes again and again, doesn't it get boring? No it doesn't, ever, it can actually become even more enjoyable. A mix of climbing new routes and repeating others has always felt good and a healthy mix. Repeating climbs allows us to become even more familiar with the moves, this enables us to help our clients more, should they be finding any of the moves challenging.

There's a settled forecast for the Lake District for the coming week, so what are you waiting for, pack a bag and head to the hills :-)

Thanks for reading

Mark

Racking up at a midway belay ledge - Wallowbarrow Crag

The classic 'Troutdale Pinnacle' at Black Crag, Borrowdale

Rock climbing takes us to some amazing places. This is the view from the top of Black Crag in Borrowdale

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Troutdale Pinnacle - Classic rock in the Lake District

27/5/2017

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Sunbathing on Troutdale Pinnacle

More busy days for us here in the Lake District. And more warm sunshine to add to the enjoyment of being outdoors.

On Thursday I was joined by father & daughter team Michael and Charlotte. I'd met Michael over in Spain last winter, but this was the first time we'd been out in the Lakes together. So what better way to be introduced to Lakeland 'trad' climbing than doing a 'classic rock' route in the beautiful Borrowdale valley.

Troutdale Pinnacle being the route of choice, I was expecting it to be busier, but only one team ahead of us and no one else at the crag, nice one. Quote from the current guidebook about the route 'one of Britain's best Severes'.
Charlotte being a sport climber, we decided to climb using the series system (for climbing as a team of 3) so she could simply enjoy the climbing and positions rather than need to remove all the protection along the way, that was to be her dads job, sorry Michael. But to ensure Charlotte still had plenty to do, she was in charge of most belaying for both me leading and dad following her up each pitch.'

Every pitch gives interesting climbing with good moves and impressive exposure that builds to quite a finale on the pinnacle. Cracks, wall, chimneys, corners, traverses, and aretes are all encountered on this one.

After the climb it was time for a late and well earned lunch in the shade at the base of the crag. And to finish the afternoon we spent some time looking at how to set up 'top ropes' as Michael was keen to learn more about this.

A fab day spent on hot rock. Thanks Michael & Charlotte.

Thinking of visiting the Lakes and want to sample some of the amazing rock here? Give us a call and let's make it happen.

Mark

Enjoying 'hot rock' in Borowdale

Rock climbing course in the Lake District

Final pitch of Troutdale Pinnacle

Derwent Water and Skiddaw seen during a guided rock climbing day

Derwent Water and Skiddaw from Black crag

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More Borrowdale rock climbs - Lake District

4/5/2017

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Rock-climbing-in-Borrowdale-Lake-District

Top of Black crag, with Derwent Water and Skiddaw in the distance

Well it would be rude not to be making the most of the wall to wall sunshine her in the Lake District at the moment. So we're just back from a day out in Borrowdale.
The morning was spent rock climbing at Black crag with Anna. We did Troutdale ridge, an MVS 4b route with 3 pitches. The middle pitch is the best, but all are worthy, albeit a little mucky.
We finished the morning with some simply rescue scenarios, including abseiling passed a knotted rope.

For the afternoon we headed firstly to the Lodore farm cafe for tea & cakes :-)
Then on to Shepherds crag for more rock climbing. This time with Kate & Leanne. We chose Ardus, a 3 pitch MVS 4b again. Excellent rock and protection throughout, with exciting moves and a thrilling traverse towards the sun to finish.

The crags are all in great condition, perfect for rock climbing. The fells are dry too, so great conditions for hill walking and exploring the Lakeland fells.

If you're planning a visit and would like any help or advice, please let us know anytime.

Thanks to Anna, Kate, and Leanne.

All the best

Mark

Ardus at Shepherds crag, Borrowdale

The traverse pitch of Ardus, Shepherds crag

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Fine climbing in Borrowdale and Langdale - Lake District

1/5/2017

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White Ghyll crag, rock climbing in Langdale, Lake District

Steep moves on pitch 2 of Slip Knot

We've managed to spend quite a lot of time rock climbing over the last week or so. It's certainly been a lot of fun, and along with that has been a significant element of CPD, so time well spent.

An afternoon at Shepherds crag in Borrowdale started things off. A number of 'self-rescue' skills were practiced whilst climbing 3 multi-pitch routes, including the classic 'Little Chamonix'.
Skills practiced included:
Assisted hoist;
Unassisted hoist;
Counter-balance abseil;
Ascending a rope.

And today was more crag action, this time at White Ghyll crag in Langdale. Each time I visit White Ghyll I remember the first visit, that awe-inspiring feeling and foreboding atmosphere the rock seems to exude. Such a magnificent place.
Lots more CPD during the approach walk, with much discussion around the theme of rescue techniques and client care. Then on to the climbing, we did Slip Knot & White Ghyll Wall. Both 3 star routes and deservedly so. The only other team on the crag today were enjoying the expedition of a 'Girdle traverse'!

Thanks to Anna & Nick.

Mark

Final pitch of Little Chamonix, Shepherds crag

Rock climbing at Shepherds crag, Borrowdale, Lake District

Skiddaw rising beyond Derwent Water

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Rock climbing at Gowder crag, Borrowdale

22/4/2017

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Anna on the traverse pitch of Fool's Paradise

After a morning spent working at a warm & sunny Hodge Close quarry, Coniston, I dashed up to Borrowdale to meet Anna for an afternoon of rock climbing.
Our plan was to climb at the easily accessible Shepherds crag. However, as we walked in from Kettleswell car park, we came to a halt at the Lodore hotel. The footbridge is no longer there and no path due to building works at the hotel. Plan B was soon hatched and a visit to Gowder crag, which was directly above us.

Neither of us had previously been to this crag before, so were eager to sample the routes. We chose the 3 star 'Fool's Paradise' a 5 pitch VS about 100m in length.

The first pitch was utter rubbish, mostly on insecure rock and steep heather! However, the second pitch had an amazing move out onto the arete, this helped us forget about the first pitch.
The third pitch involved a long traverse over steep - biting ant infested - rock. Still, the climbing on this pitch was very good again,.

Pitch four followed a very steep groove, this provided wonderful climbing, well protected and on solid rock. The top section of the pitch deteriorated to loose boulders, so we were back to insecure, scary climbing again!

The final pitch felt hard to read, and we likely did a combination of routes that resulted in a slightly harder line for us, at least 4c and more like HVS due to the poor protection.

Despite the lack of continuous climbing and abundance of loose rock and vegetation, i'm really pleased to have finally climbed this route, it had been on my 'to-do' list for ages.

An easy path brought us quickly back to base and on down to the shores of Derwent Water in time for sundown.

Thanks for joining me on this one Anna.

Mark

Derwent Water at sundown, after rock climbing in Borrowdale

Evening light over Derwent Water

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Rock climbing courses all weekend - Lake District

12/9/2016

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Pitch 2 of Middlefell Buttress

It's been a busy weekend on the crags and the weather has been on our side too.
On Saturday I was working for Kendal Mountaineering Services, helping out with a 'learn to lead' trad climbing course. Rasheed & Becca who have been climbing indoors for quite a while and climbed a few sport routes outdoors, now wanted to make the transition to tradition rock climbing.
Having spent the morning with Iain at Scout crags, I then accompanied them on Middlefell Buttress, also in Langdale. They led alternately, placing good protection at frequent intervals and building belays at each stance. We finished the route with an abseil descent and headed back to the Stickle Barn to meet up with Iain and the others.

Thanks for the work Iain :-)

Becca & Rasheed at the top of Middlefell Buttress, Langdale

Sunday turned out to be another rock climbing skills course. This time in the Borrowdale valley with David & Duncan. Both have been climbing indoors for a while and started leading some easy outdoor routes quite recently. The aim of today was to look at a wide variety of anchor placements, build some amazing belays, look at retreat skills & techniques, and look at some of the fine climbing venues Borrowdale has to offer.
We spent much of our time at Glaciated Slab. This super rough slab of volcanic rock is amazing to climb on, and will almost certainly increase anyones smearing capabilities with its roughness!
Having constructed a good anchor at the top, we were able to get in plenty of abseil practice. Only for the final route did we need to walk down from the top, and that was well worth it for the view (see photo below).
The afternoon was finished off with a visit to Wodens face, another fine valley crag in Borrowdale. Both crags are places the guys can easily visit again to further consolidate their rock climbing skills.

Thanks David & Duncan. Maybe see you next year for Napes Needle :-)

Equalising 3 anchors during our skills course today

Glaciated Slab, Borrowdale

View from top of Glaciated Slab

Stacked abseil descent

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Lead rock climbing course

7/8/2016

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Lead rock climbing course, Shepherds crag, Lake District

Top of Brown Slabs, Shepherds crag, Borrowdale

Out on the Borrowdale crags with a couple of local friends today. We had in mind to climb a few classics with me leading, but this changed after a chat on the journey North. Erja would get back on the sharp end of the rope and take the lead whilst I helped out as and when needed by being on a fixed rope nearby.

Our chosen route, 'Brown Slabs' is a 'diff' but due to the amount of traffic it's quite worn and a bit slippery, making it feel more difficult than the grade suggests.

The aim of this session was to improve gear placements to help keep the lead climber safe. Erja placed plenty of protection and with a little advice every piece became excellent, as Jen will testify (much of it was difficult to remove)!

With rain imminent we decided against another route, this turned out to be a good call, the heavens opened in a big way soon after leaving the crag!!

Fantastic leading Erja, well done.

And thanks to both Jen & Erja, a grand afternoon.

Mark

Erja clipping another 'bomber' gear placement at Shepherds crag

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Rock climbing refresher weekend

Sunny rock climbing days - Lake District

Troutdale Pinnacle - Classic rock in the Lake District

More Borrowdale rock climbs - Lake District

Fine climbing in Borrowdale and Langdale - Lake District

Rock climbing at Gowder crag, Borrowdale

Rock climbing courses all weekend - Lake District

Lead rock climbing course

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