Its a well known fact that rock climbing in the Lake District is not as good as in North Wales (cue instant emails and abuse!!) but I have ventured over the border for a couple of days climbing with Jo and Adam. Jo has been out with me a couple of times before and fancied climbing Napes Needle, so dragged Adam along for his first ever outdoor rock climb. When we arrived yesterday morning the weather was dry and the rock dry enough so we decided to crack straight on with the main event.
Napes Needle is often described as the birthplace of English rock climbing. It is a free standing pinnacle of rock on the side of Great Gable, at an altitude of about 600m with fine views down to Wast Water and then out to sea. The day was dry and bright but with a chill breeze to keep us on our toes.
We climbed the Wasdale Crack. The first pitch is only about V Diff but is highly polished and leads to a shoulder below an overhanging block. The second pitch leads to the top on balancy holds with little gear and is now graded Hard Severe. The summit has room for two people and a belay is fashioned by looping the rope around the back of the pinnacle and under the overhang. Adam & Jo climbed well and we all enjoyed the summit views before descending. The top pitch has to be down climbed by the leader to the shoulder, followed by an abseil.
Today we chased the sun to Borrowdale for some roadside cragging above Derwent Water at Sergeants Crags. We climbed Little Chamonix which is a beautiful 4 pitch V Diff, continuously interesting and very pretty. This allowed us to look at the skills needed for Jo & Adam to lead their own climbs. We then headed to Brown Slab (Diff) which they both lead in succession.
A lovely couple of days! I am now heading up to Skye for the rest of next week.
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