Pillar Rock - viewed from the approach walk
There are few summits in the Lake District that require rock climbing skills to reach them. Pillar Rock is t he most notable and most iconic.
We had the pleasure of a day on Pillar this week. With returning client Mark. Keen to tick off this magnificent summit, and to take away the worry of an ascent he choose to hire us as guides. We have guided people to High Man many times, and local knowledge counts for a lot.
We were blessed with perfect weather, far reaching views, and the summit to ourselves. Although there were other climbers on the crag and had been on the summit not long before us.
Following the High Level Route from Wasdale, we steamed up to Pillar in 2 hours 30 minutes, a rapid time indeed. A quick lunch / snack stop and on with the climb. The exposure is considerable, so it's worth having a grade in hand when tackling this route. Mark is a seasoned scrambler so no worries there, we breezed up it in no time at all. In fact, it was over all too quickly.
A couple of summit selfies and we set up the abseil into Jordan Gap. To finish, some may choose to drop down from Jordan Gap and to the start of Slab and Notch. I feel this to be an anti-climax, and instead include the grade 3 scramble to the summit of Pisgah. This seems a fitting end to a day on High Man.
We took in the summit of Pillar before heading back into Wasdale.
A thoroughly splendid day out in the mountains. Proper mountaineering, with a pioneering feel.
Thanks Mark
If you're considering a day on High Man and would like any help with route planning, any information about what to take, or would like to hire a guide for the day. Please do let us know. We're happy to help.
Mark & Kate
We had the pleasure of a day on Pillar this week. With returning client Mark. Keen to tick off this magnificent summit, and to take away the worry of an ascent he choose to hire us as guides. We have guided people to High Man many times, and local knowledge counts for a lot.
We were blessed with perfect weather, far reaching views, and the summit to ourselves. Although there were other climbers on the crag and had been on the summit not long before us.
Following the High Level Route from Wasdale, we steamed up to Pillar in 2 hours 30 minutes, a rapid time indeed. A quick lunch / snack stop and on with the climb. The exposure is considerable, so it's worth having a grade in hand when tackling this route. Mark is a seasoned scrambler so no worries there, we breezed up it in no time at all. In fact, it was over all too quickly.
A couple of summit selfies and we set up the abseil into Jordan Gap. To finish, some may choose to drop down from Jordan Gap and to the start of Slab and Notch. I feel this to be an anti-climax, and instead include the grade 3 scramble to the summit of Pisgah. This seems a fitting end to a day on High Man.
We took in the summit of Pillar before heading back into Wasdale.
A thoroughly splendid day out in the mountains. Proper mountaineering, with a pioneering feel.
Thanks Mark
If you're considering a day on High Man and would like any help with route planning, any information about what to take, or would like to hire a guide for the day. Please do let us know. We're happy to help.
Mark & Kate
The magnificent Pillar Rock towering above Ennerdale
Looking over to the Scafell range from Pillar
