The position and atmosphere of this scramble are superb. Essentially a scramble, but for most climbers, especially in or after wet weather, a rope and small selection of wires and slings are advisible. Traditionally a 3 - we felt this considerably more tricky than many of the 3s scrambles found in the scrambling guide.
The route is obvious picking a line up good rock steps in the gully. There is a magnificent little climb up a pitch that involves clambering under the intruding arbours of a quite polished tree. Walking and easy steps then lead to a constriction of the gully into an often wet chimney. Great care is required here, slips are not uncommon. After negotiating the tighter aspects of the gully you will find yourself in an open ampitheatre (good spot for a pie). The right gully branch exits here but access is barred by a steep red corner (it will have been climbed, the grade is certainly well above scrambling). [The steep wall directly ahead has also been climbed and was graded at S back in the 80s, but I suspect it will be much closer to VS]. The route continues just left of the steep wall and about 30-40m left of the red corner: take the left hand branch of the gully which is accessed by going up a series of steps in the easy angled rocky slab, this appears trickier than it is, although again a rope is advisible here - in wet weather these steps will be quite awkward. The good holds and steps lead into a v-shaped gully which itself rises in a series of steps before the gully rock peters out and becomes grass. Interest can be maintained right to the summit however, by bearing to the arete on the left and following little rocky scrambling challenges to suit your mood until eventually meeting the Northwest ridge at a tower where a faint path is joined which will deposit you on the summit.
The route is obvious picking a line up good rock steps in the gully. There is a magnificent little climb up a pitch that involves clambering under the intruding arbours of a quite polished tree. Walking and easy steps then lead to a constriction of the gully into an often wet chimney. Great care is required here, slips are not uncommon. After negotiating the tighter aspects of the gully you will find yourself in an open ampitheatre (good spot for a pie). The right gully branch exits here but access is barred by a steep red corner (it will have been climbed, the grade is certainly well above scrambling). [The steep wall directly ahead has also been climbed and was graded at S back in the 80s, but I suspect it will be much closer to VS]. The route continues just left of the steep wall and about 30-40m left of the red corner: take the left hand branch of the gully which is accessed by going up a series of steps in the easy angled rocky slab, this appears trickier than it is, although again a rope is advisible here - in wet weather these steps will be quite awkward. The good holds and steps lead into a v-shaped gully which itself rises in a series of steps before the gully rock peters out and becomes grass. Interest can be maintained right to the summit however, by bearing to the arete on the left and following little rocky scrambling challenges to suit your mood until eventually meeting the Northwest ridge at a tower where a faint path is joined which will deposit you on the summit.
Ticklists
3 Star Scrambles - Northern Lakes , Lakeland Ghylls/ Gullies: The Wet, Loose and Mossy Path to Enlightenment , British 3 Star Scrambles
Feedback
| User | Date | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haziebaby | 5 Sep, 2022 |
Show βeta
βeta: The hardest part was in the main gully just below the amphitheatre, with lots of bridging, and not very good holds, felt high and some green bits. Short-lived and fun, but I defo won’t go solo if it was wet. Leisurely timings.. 9.15 am Set of Lanthwaite green car park. 10.10 am main part of scramble done, got to the above amphitheatre (and went left into next gully) 11 am top of the left gully and right into an arrête to make it more interesting, then more interesting scramble up to the right. 11.22. Top of scrambling, but still have to walk a bit further to get to the summit 12.30 pm after a sandwich stop on the other side (backside of Grassmoore) 1 pm on the path down in the valley beside the stream. 2 pm swim in small pool part way down the valley (half hour ish chill) 2.20 pm at the bridge at the bottom Back at van 2.30 pm leisurely day out. around 5 hours with food breaks, chill and a swim. | βeta? | |
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Show beta
βeta: The hardest part was in the main gully just below the amphitheatre, with lots of bridging, and not very good holds, felt high and some green bits. Short-lived and fun, but I defo won’t go solo if it was wet. Leisurely timings.. 9.15 am Set of Lanthwaite green car park. 10.10 am main part of scramble done, got to the above amphitheatre (and went left into next gully) 11 am top of the left gully and right into an arrête to make it more interesting, then more interesting scramble up to the right. 11.22. Top of scrambling, but still have to walk a bit further to get to the summit 12.30 pm after a sandwich stop on the other side (backside of Grassmoore) 1 pm on the path down in the valley beside the stream. 2 pm swim in small pool part way down the valley (half hour ish chill) 2.20 pm at the bridge at the bottom Back at van 2.30 pm leisurely day out. around 5 hours with food breaks, chill and a swim. |
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| bwoods | 17 Apr, 2021 |
Show βeta
βeta: one section is rather hard especially quite frightening with out ropes, apart from that one section all the route it fairly easy. Very enjoyable to say the least. | βeta? | |
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Show beta
βeta: one section is rather hard especially quite frightening with out ropes, apart from that one section all the route it fairly easy. Very enjoyable to say the least. |
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Route of Interest
South East Face
Grade: Grade-3 ***
(Ill Crag)