Pre Christmas winter action

Apex & Ascent Training folks had a good run on the crags in the cold weather before Christmas. If you fancy some quiet, low to medium grade mixed routes, then you could do worse that Shelter Crags at the end of Langdale. Jon and I climbed ‘The Big Issue’ IV, 5, well worth its 3 stars. It’s a longish walk to the crag, but if the weather’s really Baltic you could go via Whorneyside Force II/III to break the journey.
Viking Buttress on Helvellyn was quiet and in good shape on the 21^st. Phil and I had this much-loved route to ourselves. He did a great job on the crux pitch which could do with re-seeding – there isn’t a lot of turf on the one move where you really want it!

Low Water Beck III or IV, on a clear night is a blast. The ice was quite different to a couple of weeks ago, which makes it all the more worthwhile repeating the route.

On Christmas Eve, Dave and I shared Cautley Spout III with a few other teams in beautiful weather. Bring on a frigid winter 2011.

Dave on Cautley Spout

Jon Sykes climbing in Langdale

 

Evening ascent of Low Water Beck