Category: Tarn Crag

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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Early season rock climbing, Lake District

3/4/2017

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Nick leading the crux pitch of Holly Tree Direct, Raven crag

Glorious sunshine has been warming the rock here in the Lake District. I even heard myself mutter 'This could be Hot Rock' it's so warm! The Andesite, Rhyolite, and Tufa rock of the Langdale valley is a delight to climb on, even more so when it's been warmed by the sun.

We have been lucky enough to spend some time on the crags recently. Yesterday morning being at Raven crag (Old Dungeon Ghyll), Langdale. Climbing 'Holly Tree Direct'. This is an intimidating HVS with a distinct crux move across the slab. Nick climbed this gracefully and went on to dispatch the steep groove with finesse, but was a true gent letting me finish the pitch off and take some of the glory.
It was T-shirt weather all morning, and some climbers were even opting to go shirt-less, yes it really was that warm!

An easier afternoon followed, with Kate, Anna, and Stew. We walked up the Stickle Ghyll path to Tarn crag.
Tarn crag offers a selection of easier multi-pitch climbs and rock scrambles. We climbed a couple of routes, again with the sun beating down on us, it was a delight. Whilst this crag may not be a major venue, the rock is sound and of top quality, giving excellent climbing with exceptional views, especially during late afternoon.

Early season rock climbing can be fantastic here in the Lake District. Crags are easier to access due to the lack of bracken, days are now light for longer, so evening cragging and mountain venues are all possible too.

Whether you're a visiting climber looking to be shown around the finest crags and routes in the Lake District, or you're wanting to have a go at climbing for the first time. We can tailor days to suit your requirements, making sure you get the most out of your stay in this beautiful part of the world.

Give us a call and let's make it happen.

Mark & Kate

Introduction-to-rock-climbing-course-Lake-District

Kate enjoying being back on Lakeland rock. Tarn crag

Activities-in-the-Lake-District. Rock-climbing

Anna leading on Tarn crag, Langdale

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Scrambles and easy rock climbs in the Lake District

4/9/2016

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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

A spacious belay ledge part way up Tarn crag

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Pillar Rock and other fine scrambling days in the Lakes

14/8/2015

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On Thursday the sun made an appearance in the Lakes, a rare sight so far this summer.
Thankfully I was able to make the most of it during a really nice day out rock scrambling with Mark & Lynda from London.

We'd already completed a shorter scrambling together earlier in the week, and today was about pushing the limits a little further and exploring steeper terrain. Tarn crag in Langdale was the venue and we climbed 'The groove' at grade 3. The first section was still damp after overnight rain, but everything above was lovely and dry, beautiful Lakeland rock.

We enjoyed lunch at the top before a visit to Stickle tarn where we saw plenty of folk enjoying a swim!!
Our return route took in another scramble, this time on Pike Howe. Then a short descent brought us back into the valley.
A grand day out, thanks both.

Friday was a big day out, Pillar Rock no less. Walking to Pillar is a big day in itself, add a stack of rock climbing equipment and the muscles definitely know they've been out.
I was guiding father and son team Andy & Harry who are working their way through the 'Birketts' and this was on behalf of Highpoint Mountain Guides.
We had perfect conditions for an ascent of 'Slab and Notch' route to High Man. No wind, clear skies, dry rock, happy days.

Choosing to walk in from Gatesgarth and over Scarth Gap, the approach took us around 2 hours 45 minutes. The final section of the approach requires care as there's lots of loose and slippery rock, often above huge drops.

The climb can be split into sections, we split it into 4, thus keeping us all close together for most of the time, allowing for easy communication. Although a description for this route appears in the local 'scrambling' guidebook, it really should be treated as a rock climb as the exposure is seriously dramatic, and should any of the rock be wet it becomes very slippery!

During our ascent I was almost struck by a Peregrine Falcon before it came to rest on a nearby perch, observing our antics no doubt. This was a precious moment, to be so close to such a magnificent creature.
As the name suggests, we first climbed the 'slab', then the 'notch', before finishing up the 'great chimney' to the summit of High Man.

After a summit pose, we abseiled into Jordan gap. Then, rather than continuing downwards, we opted for a continuation scramble (grade 3) to the summit of Pisgah. This provides brilliant exposure (see photo above).

All that's left now is the walk out back to Gatesgarth.

Top day out, well actually two top days out with some fabulous company.

PS: thanks Andy & Laura for the delicious homemade cake & biscuits.

Mark

Thanks to Andy, Laura, Harry, Emily, and James for these kind words:

'As you say Mark both a Big and a Top Day Out on Pillar Rock and one that will live long in our memories. Thanks for your expert guiding and for making the day great fun.

We both enjoyed the climb to High Man (our first experience of "proper" climbing - definitely not scrambling!!) and we are very jealous of the Peregrine view.

Great summit photos and not what we expected the summit to be like.

The abseil into Jordan Gap was a highlight for one of us and the scariest bit for the other (no names.....) One of us wants to do it again soon.

The walk out was also memorable with special views of Gable and Kirk Fell backed by clear blue skies

More champagne when we got home but who wouldn't celebrate such a fantastic adventure?

We left our return trip to Ennerdale until today and needless to say the weather wasn't quite as good, although the baking was.

Hope to see you and Joe soon.

Best wishes

Andy, Harry + Laura, Emily and James'

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Lake District Rock Climbing

25/3/2015

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Whilst Kate was out guiding on Scafell Pike, I was out with Anna & Kristina on Tarn crag in Langdale.

It has been a long time since i'd climbed on this crag and today it was the perfect location for a few easier routes in the sun.

We started with 'Route 2' a diff graded climb with a tricky start leading to lovely climbing higher up. The rock was warm and when the sun shone the temperature was perfect.

We then climbed 'West Buttress' which is also a diff graded route. Again it was the starting moves that proved the most challenging, with lots of interesting but easy moves above. We climbed this route in 1 long pitch.

As it had been a late start for us today, there was just time for one more route, a short grade 3 scramble know as 'The Groove'. Every bit as much fun as the rock climbing beforehand, we moved rapidly up the fine corner, over grassy ledges and through the final steepening, all too quickly arriving at the top.

A really lovely afternoon out. Thanks Anna & Kristina.

Mark

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Mountain activities in the Lake District - A Medley

Early season rock climbing, Lake District

Scrambles and easy rock climbs in the Lake District

Pillar Rock and other fine scrambling days in the Lakes

Lake District Rock Climbing

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