Scrambling with bivvy gear - Alps training!
Posted by Sam Harrison on June 24, 2013 at 13:51.
bivvy lake district pinnacle ridge scrambling
It seemed like a fantastic idea to do a grade 3 scramble fully laden with bivvy gear as perfect Alps training - we weren't so sure of that half-way up Pinnacle Ridge, being thrown off balance by the huge bags on our back on every move we made! The idea came about when deciding what kind of "Alps training" to get done this weekend - climbing, fitness, getting used to lugging big bags around - when it dawned on us we could roll them all into one in a somewhat epic route from Patterdale back to Burneside, via the brilliant Lakeland classic grade 3 scramble of Pinnacle Ridge.
Despite the heavy load, I was thoroughly enjoying heaving myself over rocky steps and teetering over pinnacled crests. The ridge is in a fantastic position, the exposure is quite considerate and on a dry day (which it was) it is one of the most satisfying climbs in the Lakes. The technical difficulties are low for the most part, except for one pitch, the "Crux wall", which amounts to a 10m wall of around Diff standard. The pinnacles themselves - which come after said wall and form the iconic picture of the ridge given in any guide book you see - are a lot easier than they look, but nonetheless are seriously exposed and a slip at the point could prove fatal. Despite its exposure, the ridge is surprisingly sheltered, and even on days when you're being blown about all over the place on the summit, only a few breaths are felt on the ridge.
I always forget how draining scrambling and climbing can be, and after the ridge I was already quite tired - I wasn't looking forward to the walk over Fairfield and Red Screes and then up the other side of the Kirkstone Pass yet to come! We soon settled into a good pace and the sunny weather and plethora of typically-Lakeland views took my mind off my weary legs and aching shoulders. The lure of the Kirkstone Inn was too great when we reached the pass and we decided it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to rehydrate here before finding a bivvy spot somewhere towards Thornthwaite Crag: The choice of beer on my part as the rehydrating fluid probably wasn't the best one!
By the time we had settled into our comfortable spot just below the summit of Caudale Moor, the sun was already setting and the lighting changing to a lovely golden red. It's always a special feeling, being up in the mountains late in the evening when everyone else is making there way home, and this occasion wasn't any different. Some of my favourite moments in the mountains have been lying in my bivvy bag, gazing up at the stars, enjoying the cold evening breeze brushing across my face.
The next morning, weather still in check, we summitted Caudale Moor, followed shortly by Thornthwaite Crag, Harter Fell and Kentmere Pike. By lunch time, we had made good progress and were just starting the ascent to Sleddale Forest and Potter Fell. Unfortunately, this meant leaving the well-formed paths of the Lakes' more popular fells behind, and despite the dry spell of late, the going got considerably tougher! There were vague paths here-and-there, but for the most part we found ourselves bog trotting and marsh hopping over strangely spongy ground that we couldn't help thinking we might disappear into at any moment. We were rewarded for all this hard work by the most amazing forest of bluebells just east of Staveley - photos nor words do justice to the breathtaking blue sea of delicate flowers that carpeted the entire forest floor. A perfect end to a lovely few days in the fells.
Despite the heavy load, I was thoroughly enjoying heaving myself over rocky steps and teetering over pinnacled crests. The ridge is in a fantastic position, the exposure is quite considerate and on a dry day (which it was) it is one of the most satisfying climbs in the Lakes. The technical difficulties are low for the most part, except for one pitch, the "Crux wall", which amounts to a 10m wall of around Diff standard. The pinnacles themselves - which come after said wall and form the iconic picture of the ridge given in any guide book you see - are a lot easier than they look, but nonetheless are seriously exposed and a slip at the point could prove fatal. Despite its exposure, the ridge is surprisingly sheltered, and even on days when you're being blown about all over the place on the summit, only a few breaths are felt on the ridge.
Imogen on the "crux wall" of Pinnacle Ridge
Lorna, Imogen and me on the final pinnacles of the ridge
I always forget how draining scrambling and climbing can be, and after the ridge I was already quite tired - I wasn't looking forward to the walk over Fairfield and Red Screes and then up the other side of the Kirkstone Pass yet to come! We soon settled into a good pace and the sunny weather and plethora of typically-Lakeland views took my mind off my weary legs and aching shoulders. The lure of the Kirkstone Inn was too great when we reached the pass and we decided it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to rehydrate here before finding a bivvy spot somewhere towards Thornthwaite Crag: The choice of beer on my part as the rehydrating fluid probably wasn't the best one!
By the time we had settled into our comfortable spot just below the summit of Caudale Moor, the sun was already setting and the lighting changing to a lovely golden red. It's always a special feeling, being up in the mountains late in the evening when everyone else is making there way home, and this occasion wasn't any different. Some of my favourite moments in the mountains have been lying in my bivvy bag, gazing up at the stars, enjoying the cold evening breeze brushing across my face.
Our bivvy spot in the evening
The next morning, weather still in check, we summitted Caudale Moor, followed shortly by Thornthwaite Crag, Harter Fell and Kentmere Pike. By lunch time, we had made good progress and were just starting the ascent to Sleddale Forest and Potter Fell. Unfortunately, this meant leaving the well-formed paths of the Lakes' more popular fells behind, and despite the dry spell of late, the going got considerably tougher! There were vague paths here-and-there, but for the most part we found ourselves bog trotting and marsh hopping over strangely spongy ground that we couldn't help thinking we might disappear into at any moment. We were rewarded for all this hard work by the most amazing forest of bluebells just east of Staveley - photos nor words do justice to the breathtaking blue sea of delicate flowers that carpeted the entire forest floor. A perfect end to a lovely few days in the fells.
Ascending Potter Fell - you can see most of day two's route, from just past Red Screes onwards
Photos don't do it justice!