Raven Crag - Langdale

After a heavy week of revision in preparation for my remaining exams I took Saturday off to go out for a day climbing. The forecast wasn't great but a group of us from LUMC set off to Langdale with the intention of making our way up to Gimmer, however upon arrival and discovering some rather inclement weather we decided that the closer and lower Raven Crag above the Old Dungeon Ghyll would be a better option.

Guidebook perusing at the base of the crag, before the rain came.

I climbed with Bec, and first up we did Evening Wall S+ 4a* while most of the others headed for the classic Middlefell Buttress. Bec led the first pitch which is fairly short and standard, I then did the second just as it began to rain properly, which as I was climbing in my boots made it all the more interesting. The final pitch involves a delicate and exposed traverse to a hanging arete which is then followed to the top, Bec had this and its wonderful pitch.

Bec leading the crux of Evening Wall.

After the descent the rain came in again and we nearly bailed down to the pub, but after some persuasion and a little food we headed up to do Revelation HS* which I've done before. The route was pretty wet but we decided to give it ago anyway. Bec did an awesome job the first pitch considering conditions finding the start a bit tricky but the rest fine and even pulling through the bulge at the top of the pitch before the belay without issue. I then followed as it began to rain again and did the second pitch, which like last time was steep and juggy so not too bad in the wet. As I was getting to the top it began to rain heavily again, and then sleet, and then hail. Bec followed and got to the top just as we were both soaked to the skin, we hid under the overhang at the top for a while for the rain to ease before making a tactical retreat to the ODG for the rest of the afternoon.

Bec passing th crux of Evening Wall.

So not the best weather in the world, but we still got two good routes in and it just felt great to be out again, I've spent too much time pouring over textbooks and papers. for the last few weeks.

Photos courtesy of Rebecca Hurst.