Langdale Mountaineering

The forecast for the weekend was good, with the UK finally getting a little high pressure and temperatures dropping and skies clearing. Unfortunately due to a prior engagement on the Saturday I was unable to make it to Scotland for the weekend which was a shame as it seemed like the place to be. Instead, Sunday morning Ash, Bec and myself headed up to Langdale.

Raven Crag and a frosty Langdale in the morning.

We left the Old Dungeon Ghyll car park and headed straight up to the base of Raven Crag where roped up and set up off up Middlefell Buttress D. It was bright and sunny however the rock was cold (but not too cold) and there was a chill breeze. We moved together with Ash leading, Bec following and myself at the back. Once we reached the final steep wall we swapped round and I took over the lead. We then moved across to follow a continuation on the buttress just to the right the top of Middlefell for another 100m or so until we reached easy ground.

Getting lured in by Gimmer Crag.

Our original plan for the day had been to do the scramble on Thorn Crag before heading over to do another scramble on the face of Pike of Stickle. As we approached Thorn Crag though we couldn't take our eyes off Gimmer which looked awesome in the morning sunshine so decided, despite only having one rope and a very minimal scrambling rack to go and have a go at Gimmer Chimney.

Myself leading up Gimmer Chimney.

We managed to do Gimmer Chimney VD+ in two long pitches and little bit of alpine trickery. I led the first long pitch to the base of the chimney which I thought felt a little stiff however this probably had something to do with the fact it was extremely cold, I was in boots and that the rock was verglassed in places. I'm quite glad to have ticked it off as I'd never climbed it before, and I do always enjoy climbing on Gimmer, its a fantastic crag.

Walking off Gimmer Crag, Langdale valley below and Windemere in the distance.

We descended back down to the car and then proceeded to spend the rest of the afternoon drinking, eating and gear perusing in Ambleside.