Jack's Rake, Pavey Ark. Lakes, 27th June 2008

With the Skye trip getting even closer, we decided to have a go at Jack's Rake in the Lakes in a vain attempt to get used to exposure and some 'hands on' ascent. It's a long grade 1 scramble with a lot of exposure on the left hand side, with great views down to Stickle Tarn.

Verdes Adventurers on this trip were old timers Davie, and Rich S and Verdes Virgin, Ian S, who tells us he's scared of heights and unfit.

The old lies are the best lies...

The weather was good (at first) and we were at Stickle Tarn in good time. A last minute kit check and we were off, not wanting to dwell too long on the task ahead.

There was a fair bit of water running off the top and down the route but nothing too daunting. Once we were on the route, there were a few points where you had no option but to take to the elevated and exposed left hand side and conversation did dry up at times.

Ascent is by way of climbing up a flute that runs down the side of the hill, but progress is only made by coming out of it on occasion and climbing along it's edge. There were a few moves that required good foot and hand placement but if you trust your boots and concentrate it's ok.

There was one final twist before we got to the top, when we had to choose between two equally hairy routes to a platform. Rich took the right route, Davie took the left and based on the vocal feedback squeaked by Davie, Ian followed Rich...

No doubt we'll be back on Jack's Rake soon as a few people missed out this time. It's prefectly doable if you remember the Verdes maxim 'don't look back and don't look down'

All in all a great Verdes day. Good weather, a first ascent, a different face on the blog and the customary tea and cakes and a bit of retail therapy in Keswick.

Valucci Prison, Italian/Austrian border, June 2008

Still banged up.

Pap and Bod Beag

Blencathra via Sharp Edge, 6th June 2008

Sharp Edge and an ascent of Blencathra has always been on the cards, but for the last ten years we've all seemed to drive past it in order to get to the other ranges.

Four Verdes adventurers set out to get it done in an attempt to build up some scrambling/exposure experience prior to our Skye trip.

John D, Rich S, Rich M and Davie set off in a good weather period and found the going ok but very warm on the ascent to Scales Tarn. The views over the tarn up to Sharp Edge were fantastic and at the tarn edge we found a great spot to have our lunch and scope out the task ahead.



However, the midges were biting like fury, so we didn't hang around too long before getting stuck into the ridge.

We took it easy going up and tried not to get too locked into the task, taking time out to admire the views up and down the ridge.


Not quite a 'breach of the don't look back, don't look down' ethos, as the views outweighed the exposure and nerves.




We all negotiated the 'bad step' without mishap, but in rain and wind it would be an altogether different proposition. It's little wonder that so many people have fallen foul of the slippy, polished rock and the gully beneath the step goes on for a good 500 feet.




Having patted ourselves on the back about the step, the worst was yet to come, on the steep scramble onto the summit plateau. Still, we managed this too and were soon at the summit.



Next was a brief scamper over the saddle to the other peak and back again and then we were off to Keswick for tea and buns and a bit of adventure retail therapy.

Excellent - true Verdes!

Davie.

Esk Pike and Glaramara, Lakes, 1st June 2008

Headed up to the Lakes again to get another QMD in for my ML.

Decided on the light weight approach and went in trail shoes with a small ruck sack. Weather was as forecast with a northerly breeze keeping the tops clear.

At least until I got to Esk Hause.




I managed to get a snap of Glaramara before it disappeared and made my way up into the murk around Esk Pike.

The cloud reduced visibility to around 30m at times and navigation around the summit and back to Esk Hause was tricky because of this.



Whilst having my Ginsters Sausage Roll at the shelter, peering throught the clag, trying to see any recognisable Glaramara feature, I decided against even trying and made my way back to Seathwaite, via a diversion over past Sprinkling Tarn and down to Sty Head.

Much easier on the feet!

A good day out, especially on the top of Esk Pike.




Round trip was 3 hours - light weight definitely works, but it did feel strange with the smaller bag; no bothy bag, no spare clothes, no survival bag, no 1st aid kit, nothing..

Ok on sunny days, but I'll be taking the full complement next time out.

Sorry about the lack of views in the snaps - but that was how it was!

Davie