This weekend, saw HMC travelling to the heart of the Lake District for some classic rock climbing.
Ben, Martin, Steve, Rhiannon, Victoria and Diana were intercepted by Nat and Chris on the road to Wasdale Head. The campsite was full. It was by now getting dark and none of us fancied trying the National Trust campsite for reasons that don’t need spelling out on the internet and so we turned around and considered our options. Given the size of our club hut (big tent), we didn’t think we’d get away with a wild camp by the side of the road so our hope’s weren’t high until we came upon the Old Post Office Campsite.
What a great campsite, only five minutes drive away from Wasdale Head but with far better facilities than the campsite there. The owners were very friendly and in future we’ll probably choose that campsite over Wasdale Head Inn.
Saturday saw the usual sprinkling of showers and cloud that you get in the lakes and we parked up at Wasdale Head and we set off up the valley aiming for Kern Knotts and then traversing over towards the Napes. Climbing as three pairs, Martin & Victoria, Ben & Diana and Steve & Rhi all enjoyed spectacular views as we climbed Needle Ridge which started right next to Napes Needle.
The climbing was easy and very rewarding as we made our way to the gendarme arête for the easy scramble finish.
Ben & Diana on the gendarme arete of Needle Ridge
Diana & Steve on the gendarme arete
After regrouping, we made our way around to Westmorland Crag to find a continuation up to the summit of Great Gable. Our initial choice of route, a loose looking severe, was quickly abandoned after the first pitch after Martin, Ben and Steve all sent loose blocks hurtling down the gully. (I believe it was Steve’s that hit the sheep – possibly Martin’s but definitely not mine.)
So we found ourselves climbing using our noses and trusting our instincts & finding our own routes through the now set in clag. I was thankful I’d decided to keep my Scarpa Manta big boots on as the rock became looser, more broken and the grass became wetter!
Feeling like victorian mountaineers we eventually arrived at the summit, had a quick chat and headed back down for hot showers, lots of delicious hot food and to be entertained by Victoria as she regaled us with tales of her diverse entrepreneurial history.
On Sunday we fancied a shorter walk in so we drove to Wallowbarrow Crag in the beautiful glaciated Duddon Valley.
Again purposefully keeping the grades down we were spoiled with dry weather. Steve, Rhi and Chris climbed the excellent Trinity Slabs while Ben & Victoria and Martin & Diana climbed Wall & Corner, all excellent low grade multi-pitch routes.
Later, Rhi & Steve climbed Digitation and Martin & Diana and Ben & Victoria climbed Trinity Slabs and speedy Martin and Diana snuck in Digitation too just before packing up (just before the heavens burst.)
We all agreed it was a fantastic weekend as we stuck into our top quality pub nosh before heading home.
Harrogate Mountaineering Club 