Category: Pinnacle Ridge

Pinnacle Ridge - St. Sunday Crag & other scrambles

22/5/2018

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

The crux corner on Pinnacle Ridge

Descending after the ridge, with Ullswater in the distance

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Between and through the showers - Glorious Lakeland

8/9/2017

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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

Dave & Sam about to surmount the pinnacles

Anchor building - Scout crag

#tradisrad #lakedistrict climbing #whiteghyll #langdale

Me & Kate at White Ghyll crag

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Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday Crag

29/8/2017

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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

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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 - Lake District

30/7/2017

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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

The crux corner

Helen enjoying this amazing ridge

#guided mountain activities lake district

Coming through the pinnacles

On the pinnacles

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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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Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday Crag

10/4/2017

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A rare one of me. Photo courtesy of Joe Fender

Today I've been out with Joe, enjoying one of Lakelands finest rock scrambles. Pinnacle Ridge on St. Sunday crag.

Joe has an agenda, he has a Himalayan expedition coming up in just over 2 weeks, so is super keen to increase fitness and stamina in preparation for it. Joe was carrying the rope today :-)

I was equally keen for a training / fitness session, so this worked perfectly all round, and as a bonus, Joe hadn't done Pinnacle Ridge before and it was on the wish list.

The walk in is fairly long, giving us plenty of time to have a proper catch up. Whiling away the walk in time with a good chat is always great, and means we arrived at the base of the route quicker than expected, winner.

We were soon geared up and ready to go. Soloing the initial section as far as the crux corner. This allowed for rapid and fluid movement over the superb rocky arete that makes this route so amazing. The rope came out for the crux and Joe led this smoothly, with me leading through over the main pinnacle. The rope then went back in the back and we returned to solo-mode for the remaining section of ridge.

All too soon we sat at the top of the ridge, another rocky adventure over, but both feeling satisfied with the rewards thus far.
A gentle walk down with stunning views of Ullswater made a fitting end to this fine mountain day.

With our early start it was barely lunchtime by the time we arrived back in Patterdale, leaving plenty time for an afternoon of admin!

Thanks for a grand day Joe.

Mark

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Pinnacle Ridge - St. Sunday Crag & other scrambles

Between and through the showers - Glorious Lakeland

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday Crag

Pinnacle Ridge - Advanced rock scrambling skills day

Pinnacle Ridge - Lake District

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday crag

Pinnacle Ridge, St. Sunday Crag

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