Category: Rock Scrambling - Mountain Journeys - Guided Walks

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

A couple of days honing our technical and teaching skills

14/4/2019

#rock-climbing-course-ambleside

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

#mountaineering-course-lake-district

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

#trad-climbing-course-lake-district

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

#self-rescue-for-climbers

A simple and effective assisted hoist set up

Great Mountain days in the Lake District

3/10/2018

#thingstodonearambleside

Pavey Ark from Stickle Tarn

Yesterday I had the pleasure of showing Jon & Sara some of the best Rock Scrambles in the Lake District. There's so much to choose from and we'd discussed a variety of options in advance of meeting. A day in Langdale became the plan, and what a great day we had.

We began scrambling within a couple of hundred metres of the car park. Following Stickle Ghyll we scrambled by the side of waterfalls, traversing over and around pools of deep water, and boulder hopped all the way up to Stickle Tarn. This in itself is already a few hundred metres of top notch scrambling. Today this merely got us to our lunch break, a warm up if you like.
The main event lay ahead, across the far side of Stickle Tarn, on the big brooding face of Pavey Ark. Jack's Rake is an absolute classic Lakeland scramble. For situation and character alone it's amongst the very best there is. Add to this the impeccable rock found on. the upper section of the route and for me it shoots up to numero uno.

We cruised up the rake, taking our time to enjoy the moves, the rock, the views, and stopping from time to time to savour the splendour of Langdale and the distant skyline of the Coniston Fells.

All too soon we arrive at the top and on to the summit of PAvey Ark. The wind on the summit was doing its best to ask us to leave, so we obliged!
A hasty retreat back towards the tarn and down to the valley via Pike Howe saw us comfortably out of the bitterly chilly wind.

Costa del Langdale welcomed our tired bodies with warm sunshine and autumnal colours all around.

A brilliant day in the mountains, thanks to Jon & Sara from the flatlands of Norfolk.

Mark

#lakedistrictactivities

The start of a classic mountaineering day in the Lake District

#thingstodointhelakedistrict

Traversing above waterfalls in Stickle Ghyll

#jacksrakescramble

At the top of Jack's Rake with Stickle tarn now far far below us

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

Team building days - Lake District

15/9/2016

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Rock scrambling on Raven crag

This week we've been joined by teams from Windermere based Alertacall, for their staff days out / team building activities.
These have proved to be a lot of fun, and this week was more of it. Rock Scrambling being the chosen activity, this was new for most of the team. The easily accessible Raven crag, Yewdale our venue, this allows for a high quality scramble to be enjoyed in a short space of time, so idea for our afternoon session.
For much of the route there is no need for rope, but a couple of sections are tricky enough to slow things down and get roped up, these are the best bits.
Everyone did really well, working as a team and helping each other out, always great to see. During Tuesdays ascent we had a few heavy rain showers, but with the hot weather it was hardly worth the bother of a jacket. And todays ascent was wall to wall sunshine and extremely hot.
Both days gave us excellent views and for some a new perspective on the Lakes and what is possible. Well done everyone.

Thanks to Stephanie for organising this and to Paddy for all your help on the days.

Mark

Family-activities-Lake-District

Initial scrambling on Raven crag

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At the top

At the top

Scrambles and easy rock climbs in the Lake District

4/9/2016

Rock climbing in the Lake District

The initial pitch of Route 2 at Tarn crag, Langdale

Yesterday I had been joined by Sharnie & Kurt from Essex. Having visited the Lakes and climbed with us a couple of years ago, both had now got the climbing bug, fantastic!
The plan was to climb all day, but heavy rain suggested that might not happen! We ventured over to Scout crags and did find dry rock, climbed 4 routes too, nice one. Having run out of dry rock, we decided to go scrambling for the rest of the day as this is a far better activity on damp days.
We followed the good path beside Stickle Ghyll to reach Tarn crag. 'The Groove' is a challenging grade 3 route in an impressive setting, and with mist swirling all around us our surroundings as we climbed higher were truly amazing. A really great day out on the crags, despite the damp weather.

Today was quite a contrast, with warm sunshine and dry rock, lovely. Joined by friends Dave & Sam who were keen for mileage on easy rock climbs and scrambles in preparation for a forthcoming Alps trip. Tarn crag again proved a suitable venue and today it was so much drier, thankfully.
We climbed: The Groove (G3); Route 2 (diff); and West Buttress (diff).

A couple of grand days out in the mountains, being on rock is such a pleasure and always enjoy taking folk to these places. Thanks all.

Mark

Things to do near Ambleside

A spacious belay ledge part way up Tarn crag

More fine days in Langdale

28/6/2016

Langdale-pikes-guided-walk

Pike O'Stickle and Bowfell

Another fabulous week it's been here in the Lake District.
After an 18 month gap, Mina came back to visit us and stayed the whole week. We walked on four days and each time from the door of her Chapel Stile cottage. We also made a visit to Hodge Close Quarry for Steph to have a go at Abseiling. Lots of flora and fauna spotted and amazing waterfalls on the Monday. A good week.

I also managed a quick visit to Gimmer crag in Langdale. 2 routes ticked, with a repeat of Asterisk and new route (for me) 'Detour' which is equally fine, giving thought provoking climbing up the steep wall. Over the years i've climbed many routes here and still haven't found any to be less than brilliant, such an amazing venue.

Yesterday I was out with Annabelle & Daniel from Berkshire for a day of Rock Scrambling, this too was in Langdale. We began in Stickle Ghyll, then branched off onto Tarn crag for an ascent of 'The Groove' (grade 3). Whilst walking over to Pavey Ark we spotted a Ring Ouzel and watched it for a while. After lunch it was up the classic 'Jacks Rake' on Pavey Ark, finishing off with some bouldering on the summit.
With plenty time left we dropped down to Stickle tarn and tackled the East ridge of Harrison Stickle (grade 1 - 2) for our final scramble of the day. The heavens opened about half way up so extra care needed on the now slippery rocks. By sticking to the cleanest rock we ascended without drama and soon topped out on the summit for brilliant views (as the above photo shows).

A fantastic mountain week, thanks to: Mina, Steph, Pete, Annabelle, and Daniel.

Mark

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Pete leading Asterisk, Gimmer-crag

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Below Gimmer crag

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Pavey Ark

Family adventures in the Lake District

8/6/2016

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Having fun Rock scrambling on Pike O'Blisco

Last week was half term and with the sun shining every day, we had a very busy and enjoyable week. One popular activity we do is our Family Adventure Day. There are various options depending on the ages of the children, the weather and what our clients want out of the day.

Families who prefer less walking to the day can enjoy the valley option. We spend the morning in Langdale where you are spoilt with views of this popular and beautiful valley; the dramatic skyline of the Langdale Pikes always drawing your eyes to it. We do some fun rock-climbing, starting with easy climbs and testing yourselves on harder ones if you wish. We then head over to Cathedral quarry for a picnic lunch at a place which never ceases to amaze people – you walk through a dark tunnel and appear in a huge cavern, lit up with rays of sun pouring through the ‘window’. This man-made quarry gets its name ‘Cathedral’ from the huge pillar inside the cavern. As well as the caverns there are long, dark tunnels to explore, always good fun - one is 120m long so we take a torch! There is an abseil here too, just long enough for children but long enough to give a challenge.

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Pike O'Blisco Family Adventure Day - children enjoying searching out good rocks to scramble up.

Last week the weather was perfect for an adventurous day out in the mountains. So with two families – 3 adults and 5 children from 8 to 17 years old we drove up to the top of the Wrynose Pass and headed up Pike O’Blisco. We stayed off path for most of the day, scrambling over small rocky outcrops – for anyone not familiar with scrambling, in this case it is very easy rock-climbing on low level rocks, for which you don’t need a rope. Children of all ages love this and the joy of it is that you can choose your route, so it can be easy or a little harder, or you can simply walk around it.

We scrambled our way up the mountain until we reached the crag of Long Scar, seeing lots of interest on route - sheep and lambs (Herdwicks and Swaledales), plants including Sundew, one of only two insectivorous plants in the UK, and some fascinating rock formations.

Long Scar is a lovely climbing crag about 12m tall and here everyone enjoyed some rock-climbing on the end of a rope on either the ‘easy’ climb or the ‘hard’ climb for those who wanted to challenge themselves, or both! Here we enjoyed a well-earned picnic lunch whilst being treated to stunning of the Lake District fells including Wetherlam, Swirl How, Cold Pike and Crinkle Crags.

Everyone then fancied the idea of abseiling; some were worried because of previous experiences, however the slabs we use on Black Crag are not at all intimidating and perfect for ‘first timers’ and especially good for youngsters too. Everyone did it at least once and the children all came back for another turn. You also get to do some more easy climbing as it is quicker and far more enjoyable to climb back up to the top than to walk around.

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Theo, Georgia, Sarah, Thomas, Eric and Tristan all feeling happily challenged at the top of the abseil.

Time enjoyed always passes quickly and before we knew it was time to return to the cars. Here I left them as the adults were keen to finish their day by testing their driving skills over the famous Hardknott Pass, a single track, twisty road with a gradient of 1 in 3, the steepest road in England (along with Rosedale Chimney in North Yorkshire).

Thanks for a great day out Eric, Johnny, Sarah, Matt, Georgie, Tristan, Theo and Thomas!

Multi-activity in the Lake District

3/8/2015

Pavey-Ark and Jack's-Rake

Thanks to many fab customers it's been very busy here at Mountain Journeys.
We've been Gorge Scrambling, Rock Climbing, Rock Scrambling, Abseiling; providing support for 3 Peaks Challenge teams, and guiding on Scafell Pike, phew!

Whilst the weather has been mixed, there we've had a few dry days, times when the mountains can be fully savoured. My mountain day in the Langdales proved to be excellent, with moderate temperatures and sunshine throughout. Des & Adam were keen to push themselves on some Rock Scrambles and learn a few tricks along the way. Tarn crag provided the testing start to the day, whilst Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark gave the perfect finishing touch, a classic scramble if ever there was one.

More rock scrambling for me on Sunday, this time on the accessible Raven crag in Yewdale. Perfect rock and great company made for a fine morning outing with Mark & Lynda.

And today I met up with a friend from Sheffield for some rock climbing. Anna is a fine climber, having travelled far and wide for that perfect rock trip, thankfully she sees the Lake District as a brilliant destination for a climber (okay, apart from the weather!!). So we consider the weather conditions of easing rain and strong winds. Where to go for a good climb? Let's try Bram Crag Quarry, the Lake District's most recent Sport climbing venue.

A micro-granite quarry in St. John's in the Vale. Well bolted, easy access, excellent friction, plenty 3-D climbing, many tricky routes providing unusual moves. Sheltered and with a fantastic outlook towards Blencathra and Skiddaw, what's not to like.

Photos:
Stickle tarn and Pavey Ark
Anna leading at Bram crag quarry

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A guided walk up Crinkle Crags

12/4/2015

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Friday saw another lovely spring day here in the Lake District and perfect fell-walking weather.

This was the second day out with us this week for Heidi and 8 year old Rocco. They had also walked up Scafell Pike with us last October, Rocco's first mountain and were keen to experience another. Rocco requested Don's company again and Don was more than happy to oblige - a day in the mountains being a favourite activity for collies!

Crinkle Crags at the head of Langdale is a beautiful craggy mountain with an unmistakable outline of the five Crinkles, with Pike O'Blisco to the right and Bowfell to the left.

We took the route from the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale up to Red Tarn, and from there past Great Knott and on up to the first Crinkle. There's lots of rough rocky terrain along the tops of the 5 Crinkles which made the walk more interesting with rocky steps to scramble up.

We got to the Bad Step, a steep section of rock some 10 feet high and from below looking impossible to negotiate. There is a path to the left avoiding it but as Rocco and Heidi had experienced a day of rock scrambling a few days prior we decided to take the route up the Bad Step. Once below the rock you can see the polished steps and hand holds on the rock that many people have taken before and Rocco and Heidi both easily ascended it in a few moves. However, this was not the case for Don which is no longer as agile as he was in his youth and he was happier to be taken on an alternative route to the right, up steep, grassy terrain - much more to his liking!

Lunch was had on Long Top, the second and highest of the Crinkles (859m), and from there it didn't take long to walk over the other Crinkles until we reached the Three Tarns col below Bowfell. From here we descended back to Langdale via the long shoulder of The Bank.

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