Peter, Arborist - Carlisle
Wall and Crack Climb, Pikes Crag: 04th May 2011
Will Coombs Leading the 3rd Pitch: Photograph by Gen
Gen, Caroline and I embarked on a steady yomp up to Scafell Pike today to climb 'Wall and Crack' on Pikes Crag.
Blue Sky, 15mph winds on the summits and views across Western lakes made for a long but satisfying day on the fells.
Walling: 27th April 2011
Chris and I were gapping on the fell wall today at Espershields farm. I worked with Chris on a 3.5m wall head on a 40 degree slope next to a burn before building a 1.25m gap. It was 20c for most of the day with light breeze, the odd cloud and strong sun.
Cladonia Lichens on a sheltered section of the wall.
The paddle out to the Inner Farnes took just under an hour in force 3 with slightly choppy seas. After a food stop on the shore below the chapel we paddled on. Two colonies of a hundred or so Grey Atlantic Seals were smelt before they were seen.
A figure of eight round two islands saw slightly larger waves. Puffins, guillemots and fulmars swarmed throughout the day. The wind and swell picked up on the return trip to Sea Houses. We landed in 2 ft surf with salty and windswept faces, the sun still shining.
Carlisle Mountaineering Club Meet: 27th March 2011
Snow spattered 3000 ft peaks falling in to shimmering sea lochs, rough, untamed crags, Red Deer. Despite some inconsiderate parking and the odd drunken camper this must be one of the most stunning places in the world.
We negotiated the easiest route on the Etive Slabs, Spartan Slab (VS 4c). Half of the party decided to call it a day as we qued up for the crux, due to a shortage of time, and abseiled off. A wise decision as Ray and I, who were the last to finish the route, raced the wall of rain we could anxiously see approaching from Glen Coe.
Despite a tricky decent from the top of the climb, a brisk yomp back to the van left us feeling pleasantly tired and satisfied with a magnificent route in an even more magnificent setting.
We negotiated the easiest route on the Etive Slabs, Spartan Slab (VS 4c). Half of the party decided to call it a day as we qued up for the crux, due to a shortage of time, and abseiled off. A wise decision as Ray and I, who were the last to finish the route, raced the wall of rain we could anxiously see approaching from Glen Coe.
Despite a tricky decent from the top of the climb, a brisk yomp back to the van left us feeling pleasantly tired and satisfied with a magnificent route in an even more magnificent setting.
Carlisle Mountaineering Club Meet: 26th March 2011
As other members of the club headed for the North Face of The Ben to catch the last of the ice at the unenviable time of 3.30am, we enjoyed a more civilized start time of 6.30am and a relaxed traverse of the Aonach Eagach. Conditions were calm and the cloud hung just below the tops, allowing us views of Stob Coire nan Lochan and of the Mamores beyond Loch Leven to the North.
As we progressed the secretly intricate nature of this ridge accompanied by swirling mist and sleet made the route finding interesting. On several occasions we were confronted with the decision between polished rock and wet turf-filled gullies. A rack and rope were carried, but not used. Reduced visibility on the final summit of Sgurr Nam Fianniadh gave us the opportunity for navigation practice on the descent to Glen Coe Cottages for food and sleep.
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