Category: Pinnacle Ridge - Mountain Journeys - Guided Walks

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday Crag

7/8/2019

#mountaineering-lake-district

Crossing the pinnacles

Today we've been out with father and son team Andrew and Toby. Both keen walkers and scramblers wanting to push into the next level.
Pinnacle Ridge on St. Sunday crag was the obvious choice and thankfully we had weather to compliment the route. After a rapid blast up to the base of the route, I tried to slow things down so the guys could take their time and enjoy the splendid atmosphere. They were both okay with the slight change in tempo, maybe they even enjoyed the short rests at belay ledges :-)
Still, we did seem to fly up the route, all of which was perfectly dry and wonderfully rough to the touch. The wind speed increased as we gained height and jackets were on all the way, but it wasn't cold, in fact, the temperature was pretty close to perfect for a high energy day. It was the wind which kept us from visiting the actual summit, as by this time our stomaches were reminding us it was beyond lunchtime and we needed some shelter before stopping.

Plenty of smiles all the way up, from all of us. Plenty of sunshine too, the shades were on most of the way :-)

Big thanks to Andrew and Toby

Mark

#pinnacle-ridge-lake-district

Above the crux

#helvellyn-striding-edge

Views over to Helvellyn

Classic Lakeland Rock Scrambles

17/7/2019

#pinnacle-ridge-lake-district

Enjoying the Pinnacles of Pinnacle Ridge

We've just had a coupe of 'lad & dad' days with Tony, Dom, and Spencer. It's been such a pleasure to show these guys some of the wonderful scrambling on offer here in the Lake District. No, it's not all. roadside like many of the North Wales scrambles are. And it's all the better for it. A proper walk-in, often of an hour along beautiful valleys, and that's just to reach the start of a route. Mountaineering isn't supposed to be convenient, that's part of the attraction. And that's what these guys were after. The Lake District delivered in fine style, with immaculate rock, jaw-dropping scenery, good value approach walks, and sunshine. We can't promise that last feature!!

First up was Cam Crag Ridge in the secluded Langstrath. We stopped off at the swimming spot of Black Moss Pot, not for a swim, just for a look. Then moved on to the short ascent to the base of the ridge. We geared up with helmets and harnesses before the main event. Mostly we moved without ropes, but we did take in some harder sections, one of which required the rope. If aiming for this fine scramble, it's quite easy to keep the scrambling easy, at grade 1, just keep left. If wanting more challenge, move further right and get ready for some steep and at times very challenging terrain.

On such a clear day, views from the top were particularly wonderful. This helped take our minds off the hot descent into 'The Combe' and back to Stonethwaite. It was definitely Ice Cream time for me once back in Ambleside :-)

Yesterday we ramped up the challenge and headed for the ultra classic 'Pinnacle Ridge' on St. Sunday Crag. This is a serious grade 3 scramble. Starting in Patterdale, a leisurely walked warmed us up prior to the steep section from Elmhow and the final super steep section of scree leading to the base of the climb.
Sun shone over the top of Pinnacle Ridge and silhouetted the crags to create a fabulous image beckoning us onwards and begging us to climb it. We obliged, of course.

Once kitted up we moved swiftly up the route, pitching sections almost as a way of slowing us down so the environment could be fully enjoyed. Each section brings different challenges and loads of fun. The rock was super dry and grippy, the sun on us most of the time, and a cool breeze kept us from overheating. If Carlsberg did scrambles.....

The wind speed increased significantly at the top, but thankfully we found a nice sheltered and sunny spot for a lunch break during the descent.

A fantastic couple of days, thanks Tony, Dom, and Spencer.

Mark

#mountaineering-lake-district

Enjoying fluid movement on Cam Crag Ridge

#lake-district-activities

Ullswater from the top of Pinnacle Ridge

Alpine training - Lake District

21/6/2019

#guided-climbing-napes-needle

Threading the needle - Napes Needle

We've just had a couple of absolutely fantastic mountain days out with Tracy in preparation for her forthcoming Alpine trip.
Being a relatively recent convert to scrambling, I think it's fair to say she has the bug. Such a great way to move amongst the mountains as is it.
First up was Cam Crag Ridge in Langstrath. A beautifully situated rocky ridge which is deserving of its 3 star status for views alone. Factor in the sublime rock, amazing situations, and very cool climbing and you have a 'must-do' route that really is good for all levels of scrambler as the grade can be varied from 1 to 3 quite easily. Blue skies and moderate winds gave us perfect conditions and we blasted up the route in super quick time.

For day 2 the bar was raised somewhat. With light winds and blue skies in the forecast this was always going to be a stunner. From Seathwaite in Borrowdale we took the Scafell Pike path as far as Styhead, then moved off onto the 'Climbers traverse' route under the majestic crags of Great Gable. Being steeped in mountaineering history, and having the most iconic piece of rock in the country, this place always brings a tingle to my spine, I love it.
There were climbers enjoying a tussle with 'Kern Knotts crack' - a classic struggle! We geared up shortly before reaching Napes Needle and it was decided we would 'thread the needle' and make this the start of our scrambling. This is also a traditional struggle, with some thuggy moves up the groove line, but it feels so wonderful. After this we continued on passing 'the dress circle' where we enjoyed great views back to climbers on Napes Needle and on Needle Ridge, all out enjoying the great weather.
Our route joins on to Sphinx ridge, which offers some really cool positions if taken directly (which we did), all perfect for that alpine like exposure that Tracy is looking for.
With the summit of Great Gable now close by, we detour slightly to fit in yet more scrambling up Pinnacle Ridge. This takes us almost to the top of the mountain and all with hands on rock.

A quick photo stop before we blast back down via Windy Gap.

Such a brilliant way to spend a day. For top quality scrambling and mountaineering in the Lake District, Great Gable delivers by the bucket load :-)

Thanks to Tracy and all the best for your Alpine trip.

Mark

#napes-needle-great-gable

Climbers descending after climbing Napes Needle

#alpine-training-days-lake-district

Sphinx ridge, Great Gable

Training for bigger mountains

31/5/2019

#alpine-training-lake-district

Tracy & Vic on a comfy belay ledge, Middlefell Buttress

This last couple of days I've been joined by Tracy and Vic who were wanting to spend time on scrambles and easier climbs so they could get more comfortable with exposure. This is in preparation for a variety of trips they have planned to the Alps and maybe beyond.

We started off with a grade 2 scramble, this quickly moved up a gear to a 'Diff' rock climb in Langdale. These two routes gave plentiful supply of exposed terrain and plenty of technical challenge whilst moving over the rock.

With a damp and windy day forecast for the next day, we decided to scramble rather than try more difficult rock climbs.
And what better for getting used to exposed terrain than the 'Alpinesque' Pinnacle Ridge on St. Sunday crag. This uber classic really does take some beating, and with some wild weather blowing through the atmosphere was simply magnificent.
Yes we all got thoroughly soaked, but there were big smiles all round. Lots of time spent in the mountains climbing and scrambling, sharing experiences and stories, and keeping fit.

Big thanks to Tracy and Vic, some of the photo credits go to them too.

Mark

#pinnacle-ridge-lake-district

#outdoor-activities-ambleside

Tackling the crux of Pinnacle ridge - it was a damp ascent!

#mountain-guide-lake-district

A rare shot of me - on Pinnacle ridge

#mountain-activities-lake-district

Enjoying dry rock on Middlefell Buttress

Pinnacle Ridge - St. Sunday Crag & other scrambles

22/5/2018

#pinnacleridgescramblelakedistrict

Enjoying the pinnacle traverse on Pinnacle ridge

Wow, what an amazing couple of days it's been here in the Lakes. We've had 2 big days out scrambling with Anna & Ed.
I've lost count of how many ace days i've had out in the hills with Anna, always so enthusiastic. First time i'd met Ed, who's mega enthusiastic too, such a great team.

Yesterday we enjoyed a Langdale link up including: Stickle Ghyll, The Groove on Tarn crag, Jacks Rake on Pavey Ark, and a long grade 1 scramble on Harrison Stickle. Quite a day.

Today we upped the pace and went for the much coveted Pinnacle Ridge on St. Sunday Crag. Simply the finest grade 3 'Alpinesque' ridge in the Lakes. The rock was completely dry (which is unusual), making for easy and quick progress. There were plenty of highlights, but traversing the pinnacles was probably the main event, it's so cool. We finished up a tricky variation to add even more spice to the day. Then it was rope and harness off, more food and an easy stroll back to base.

Whilst I adore rock climbing, I feel that Scrambling gives something more, overall a more fun activity. It's so fluid, so fast, with such freedom of movement, sublime. Must do more of it.

Big thanks to Anna & Ed

Mark

#pinnacleridgelakedistrict

The crux corner on Pinnacle Ridge

#lakedistrictwalks

Descending after the ridge, with Ullswater in the distance

Between and through the showers - Glorious Lakeland

8/9/2017

#guidedrockclimbing #lakedistrict

Anna on the crux traverse of Donkeys Ears at Shepherds crag, Borrowdale

The weather has been a bit mixed of late, with most of the mix consisting of rain! Of course there was no way this was going to stop us getting out and enjoying the beautiful Lakeland mountains. So as well as keeping busy working, we've enjoyed a few personal days out too, here's the most recent of them.

On Tuesday I met up with Anna and after a brew and cake at Lodore Farm Cafe, we climbed Donkeys Ears at Shepherds crag. The first pitch was soaking wet, making it much more difficult than normal, and we had decided to climb in our trainers, adding more to the excitement! Thankfully the traverse pitch (crux) is below overhanging rock, so was only slightly damp, holds for feet are small, but handholds are huge, so all good and much fun.
As we had somehow managed to stay mostly dry and heavy rain seemed to be on the way, we called it a day and headed back to the comfort of the cafe for more tea :-)

Thursday brought with it a slightly different variety of rain, it was horizontal, being blown on a strong Westerly wind. A day on Pillar with Dave & Sam had been on the cards, but we needed to rethink this and work with the weather. Pinnacle ridge on St.Sunday crag became plan B, and let's be honest, it makes for a pretty brilliant plan A.
Due to its popularity, the rock stays fairly grippy on wet days and despite being a ridge, i've always found it to be fine on windy days too. Today was no exception. Atmospheric and fantastic. Such a brilliant route, and felt like we had the whole valley to ourselves, adding a remote feeling to the day. Hands had become a little chilly by the time we reached the top, so we stayed roped up until the mountain gave us shelter enough to stop and de-kit.

Friday (today) the rain was fairly similar to yesterday, being horizontal, although thankfully not persistent. Kate joined me on a jaunt to Langdale for some CPD. A quick multi-pitch climb on Upper Scout crag followed by a scramble on White Ghyll Edge and finishing with a descent to White Ghyll crag. The stream bed below the crags, which is normally dry, was in spate this afternoon, a beautiful sight. The water fresh from the sky and having passed over a few rocks to pick up minerals, tasted delicious. Views over to Great Knott and Pike O'Blisco were dramatic as the showers passed over, giving sun and shade in varying quantities. As we're both out working on Scafell Pike tonight, it was decided to call it a day and head home early. Another brilliant day in the mountains.

Thanks to Kate, Anna, Dave & Sam

Mark

#pinnacleridge #lakedistrict

Dave & Sam about to surmount the pinnacles

#rockclimbingskillscourse #lakedistrict

Anchor building - Scout crag

#tradisrad #lakedistrict climbing #whiteghyll #langdale

Me & Kate at White Ghyll crag

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday Crag

29/8/2017

#pinnacle_ridge #lake_district

Moving over the pinnacles of Pinnacle Ridge

Today has been a step out of the norm for me, and quite a special day. We are really pleased to introduce many youngsters to the great outdoors and have been doing so for about 10 years now. But today was a bit different, not so much introducing a youngster to the outdoors, but helping her progress into the world of mountaineering.

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday crag is hardly a theatre to be associated with 6 year olds, but this one took it all in her stride and smiled almost constantly.

I've climbed with Jane (Hannah's mum) for some years now, so when she suggested this route for Hannah I knew all factors would have been carefully weighed up, with Hannah's enjoyment and safety at the top of the list. The arduous approach walk can be testing for fit adults, so a 6 year old was going to need some coaxing (and maybe a little bit of chocolate)! The final slog up the steep scree slope, the section that slows most of us, was the time Hannah moved the quickest, clearly enjoying the challenge of steep, loose terrain, and coping with it extremely well.

After a breather and re-fuel at the base of the route, we sorted the ropes and gear before setting off up this impressive ridge. We moved rapidly, Hannah having no difficult on the initial sections and not much noticing the exposure or positions she was now in (but did occasionally stop to look at the view).
The crux corner just needed a few helpful words of advice from mum who was always close behind, and a snug rope from me, and soon that was behind us. The pinnacles lay in wait, Hannah seemingly more interested in the rock formations up there than noticing the rather dramatic exposure / position she was now in (thank goodness for the rope hey)! About another 50m and we were at the top of the route, one of the quickest roped ascents i've ever done.

We stayed roped up until the main footpath coming down from St.Sunday crag. Not because we needed to, but because a cold wind was blowing and we wanted to find shelter from it to warm our hands.

All the way down Hannah chatted and laughed, having fun in these wonderful mountains. Hopefully very pleased with her achievement today.

I feel privileged to have been a part of this day and am very proud of Hannah, such a big achievement.
Thanks Jane & Hannah

Mark

#pinnacle_ridge #scrambling_and_climbing_with_kids #lake_district

Hannah taking the crux corner in her stride

#Ullswater #St.Sunday_crag #lake_district

Descending to Patterdale with Ullswater in the distance

Pinnacle Ridge - Advanced rock scrambling skills day

8/8/2017

#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

Pinnacle Ridge - Lake District

30/7/2017

#pinnacle ridge scramble lake district

The Pinnacles

Two showery, atmospheric days here in the Lakes, so what shall we do?
The plan for both days was to go Rock climbing. But that would have been silly, so bring forth the 'Alpinesque' Pinnacle Ridge on St. Sunday crag.

This ridge offers a genuine mountain atmosphere with the Helvellyn massif as a backdrop and the torrent of Nethermost Beck as our soundtrack, it would be hard not to be impressed by this place.

It's a reasonable walk to the base, about 1.5 hours and not too taxing. Every step is all worth the effort too.

Yesterday I was joined by Kelly and Kristina, both experienced scramblers and mountaineers, but neither had yet sampled the delights of Pinnacle Ridge. The day was wet, very wet actually. This gave us wonderful conditions on occasionally greasy rock, adding much fun to the outing. By the afternoon sunshine had broken through and we were all drying off nicely.

Today I was joined by Helen, also an experienced climber and scrambler, but also never done Pinnacle Ridge. We enjoyed slightly drier conditions today, so able to fully appreciate the grippy nature of the volcanic rock. There were quite a few others on the ridge today, as there were yesterday too, clearly many folk having mountaineering thoughts for the weekend and this ridge totally fits the bill for it.

A nice gentle descent with stunning views to Ullswater there to remind us how lucky we are to be in such a beautiful place.

Big thanks to Helen, Kelly, and Kristina for good company, fun, and banter.

Mark

Are you looking for a guided mountain day here in the Lake District? If so please get in touch and let's make a plan

#Pinnacle ridge crux

The crux corner

#Alpine training lake district

Helen enjoying this amazing ridge

#guided mountain activities lake district

Coming through the pinnacles

#pinnacle ridge lake district

On the pinnacles

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday crag

23/5/2017

Pinnacle ridge scramble, Lake District

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

Ullswater bluebell meadow

Bluebell meadow above Ullswater