97m, 5 pitches.

Rockfax Description
On approaching the crag, the first towering rib is the setting for this classic expedition. The climbing is sustained and intricate but reasonably protected. The line is described here with the direct start. Start at a well-defined leftward-slanting crack just above the gearing-up spot.
1) 4b, 25m. Climb the slanting crack past a small overhang and continue before moving leftwards to a belay beneath an overhung corner.
2) 13m. The Bracket. Move up and then traverse awkwardly rightwards for 6m passing blocks, until a weakness can be followed back left to a stance and belay.
3) 25m. Climb rightwards up easy ground to the right-hand side of a steep corner (Amen Corner). Move up rightwards until a crack leads to easy-angled ground (The Gangway). Traverse right to a stance below a steep chimney/crack.
4) 4b, 8m. Climb the chimney/crack with difficulty to a good ledge and belay.
5) 20m. Move out leftwards from the chimney to the face on its left and follow this to the top. © Rockfax

Ticklists

Classic Rock , Kendal Wall's Best 100 climbs in Britain , Lakeland's Best Multi-pitch Routes up to HVS , Langdale 3* Severes , The Original 'Classic Rock' List , UK Holiday Plans , The best the lakes has to offer for mere mortals (because it's not always as wet as kez thinks) , Steve Ashton's 100 Classic Climbs The Lake District , Lake District Classic Rock Challenge , Mountain Rock , ROCKFAX Lake District: Top 50 , A Lakeland Apprenticeship , Snowdonia and The Lakes Classic Rock Summer Challenge , Turbo-Punter's Tradification , ROCKFAX TOP 50s upto e3 , Dewimpification , Lakes ticklist , Lake District Multipitch Climbing , Chasing Stars across the UK

Feedback

User Date Notes
GrahamUney 6 Jun, 2022 Show βeta
βeta: This description and on Rockfax is for the VS alternative start and finish. This isn't the same as the original Bracket and Slab, which remains Severe, rather than VS.
Show beta
βeta: This description and on Rockfax is for the VS alternative start and finish. This isn't the same as the original Bracket and Slab, which remains Severe, rather than VS.
nickpierpoint 20 Sep, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: For pitch 2 in Rockfax, the description is good but the topo line on the photo is wrong. The description correctly says to go straight up then traverse right, but the topo line has you cutting the corner of the right traverse. Ignore the line in Rockfax and follow the description - much more natural route.
Show beta
βeta: For pitch 2 in Rockfax, the description is good but the topo line on the photo is wrong. The description correctly says to go straight up then traverse right, but the topo line has you cutting the corner of the right traverse. Ignore the line in Rockfax and follow the description - much more natural route.
AliRLee 3 Aug, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: I found the RockFax description to be fine...
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: I found the RockFax description to be fine...
Matt Alexander 23 Jun, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: P2 and P3 on the Rockfax topo does not match the description. If you finish p1 at the abseil point on the grass ledge and then follow the description for p2 you will be in the right place.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: P2 and P3 on the Rockfax topo does not match the description. If you finish p1 at the abseil point on the grass ledge and then follow the description for p2 you will be in the right place.
LakesWinter 1 Nov, 2020 Show βeta
βeta: The direct start is not the start of the route. There is no way that Bracket and Slab is VS - it climbs like a severe, must be a severe. It's a class route but fine at Severe. Routes like Mendes, The Crack or Rake End Wall to pick some Langdale examples are way harder and someone getting on one of these after doing Bracket and Slab as a fake VS would have a lot of trouble.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: The direct start is not the start of the route. There is no way that Bracket and Slab is VS - it climbs like a severe, must be a severe. It's a class route but fine at Severe. Routes like Mendes, The Crack or Rake End Wall to pick some Langdale examples are way harder and someone getting on one of these after doing Bracket and Slab as a fake VS would have a lot of trouble.
simondgee 9 Aug, 2020 Show βeta
βeta: Where has VS come from? Bench mark S 4b
Show beta
βeta: Where has VS come from? Bench mark S 4b
C Witter 15 Dec, 2019 Show βeta
βeta: Not sure why this classic Severe has had a dodgy re-grade to VS. Is this inline with the "new" Rockfax Lakes guide? It now says in the description that it is described with "the direct start". It's a bit annoying to have Rockfax piss around changing an entry do many people have ticked, especially when there is already a separate direct start entry...
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: Not sure why this classic Severe has had a dodgy re-grade to VS. Is this inline with the "new" Rockfax Lakes guide? It now says in the description that it is described with "the direct start". It's a bit annoying to have Rockfax piss around changing an entry do many people have ticked, especially when there is already a separate direct start entry...

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Voting
High HVS
Mid HVS
Low HVS
High VS
Mid VS
Low VS
High HS
Mid HS
Low HS
High S
Mid S
Low S
High HVD
Mid HVD
Low HVD
Votes cast 111
High 4c
Mid 4c
Low 4c
High 4b
Mid 4b
Low 4b
High 4a
Mid 4a
Low 4a
Votes cast 12
Votes cast 113
Style of Ascent
Alt Leads
Lead
Followed
Soloed
DWS
Not Set
Onsighted
Repeated
DNF
Flashed (β)
Dogged
Not Set
Route of Interest
Stormshadow

Grade: VS 4c ***
(High Loven Scar)

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