Scrambles

The hope is that this journey has an exploratory feel to it.  20 optional rock scrambles are included to encapture the freedom of playing on rocks that children so readily embrace.

Scrambles take us close to the rock: Jacks Rake

Some of these are serious undertakings and rock climbing experience is necessary for the harder scrambles where most will prefer the comfort of a rope.  All of the scrambles can be bypassed and an alternative path found, so if this isn't for you, don't let that put you off. Alternatives are described below.

I recommend buying copies of the Cicerone Guide to Scrambling in the Lakes North & South which give full descriptions of the Scrambles and many more besides.    The scrambles could be done individually as day trips or included on a journey as I've done, but don't underestimate the effect of a hefty sack if scrambling as part of a backpack!


It almost goes without saying, that you are responsible for your own safety and must make your own judgement as to what is viable.  Many of the routes become very slippy in all but dry weather and the more difficult routes are best avoided in these conditions.  The consequences of a slip on many of the routes are potentially very serious indeed.  Having said all that, these scrambles allow us to have a fuller experience of the Lake District, getting close up with some extraordinary rock architecture.

The selected scrambles include:

1 - Greenhow End, Fairfield. Grade I. 

Open scrambling up the obvious rock buttress
Alternative route - grassy slopes to the side of the buttress

2 - Striding Edge, Helvellyn.  Grade I. **

Easy but most celebrated scramble in the Lake District.  It is a fine narrow rock ridge if you keep to the crest rather than following one of the bypassing paths.  The Pilgrimage takes the ridge in descent, but this is no more difficult than the other way round.  Alternative route - Swirral Edge

3 - Sharp Edge, Blencathra. Grade I/II. ***

As its name suggests, it is a sharp edge and very good value for its short length.  The most difficult bit is ascending Foule Crag after the ridge ends and this can be unpleasantly greasy when wet.
Alternative Route - Scales Fell

4 - Harrow Buttress, High Stile. Diff Rock Climb. **

This easy rock climb can be done as a scramble and linked with Chockstone ridge above.  I tried to climb this with a full backpack on and got stuck in the chimney, but later did it esily enough with a smaller pack on.   A rope is recommended unless you are confident soloing what is a 'Difficult' climb.
Alternative Route -Climbers descent route or small trod up the broad ridge on the right of the coombe.

On Chockstone Ridge

 

5 - Chockstone Ridge, High Stile. Mod Rock Climb. ***

This makes a the continuation of the above route and is an exposed buttress.  Again a rope is advised.
Alternative Route -Climbers descent route or the broad ridge on the right of the coombe.

6 - Hassness Gill, Robinson. Grade I. *

A gill scramble that provides a less toilsome route to the summit of Robinson. This is extremely vegetated if the water levels preclude climbing the slabs which are extremely slippy when it is wet. In these conditions it proves a characterful excursion!
Alternative Route - Main path from Hassness to Robinson

7 - Doves Nest Cave, Glaramara. Grade II. ***

An unusual scramble to a cave that needs descending back to the start to avoid rock climbing.
Alternative Route - None.  Just continue on the path to Glaramara

8 - Doves Nest Crag, Glaramara. Grade III. ***

A good buttress route with one exposed step.
Alternative Route - None.  Just continue on the path to Glaramara

9 - Climbers Traverse, Great Gable. Grade II. ***

The Climbers traverse takes the scrambler past a myriad of buttresses and scree gullies.   The scramble leads up to the gap between the Needle which can be viewed from the far side.  The route isn't always that easy to follow and is quite long, but always full of interest. the gull up behind the needle can be very slippy when wet but can be avoided by traversing beneath the needle.
Alternative Route - Path to Great Gable from Sty Head

Napes Needle & Needle Ridge

 

10 - Pinnacle Ridge, Westmorland Crags, Great Gable. Grade II. **

This is a really good continuation of the Climbers Traverse with good situations leading to the Westmorland Cairn near the very summit of Great Gable.
 Alternative Route - Small path to side of Westmorland Crags

11 - Slab & Notch, Pillar Rock. Grade III. ***

This is the easiest way up Pillar Rock but is quite serious nevertheless.  Unless you have a rope and abseil into the gap, you must descend the way you came, so many parties will prefer to carry a rope.
Alternative Route - None.  Avoid the Rock and follow the path to the top of Pillar

12 - Crenation Ridge, Pikes Crag: Diff Rock Climb. ***

This is a climb rather than a scramble and the descent from Pulpit Rock is awkward, so a rope is strongly advised..
Alternative Route - Continue on the path from Piers Gill to the top of Scafell Pike.

Scafell Pinnacle from West Wall Traverse

13 - Lords Rake & West Wall Traverse, Scafell. Grade I. *

The scramble is not that pleasant in itself, but gets up close to the precipices of Scafell Crag.  It is worth going up to the top of Scafell Pinnacle at the top of the gully for the view down.
Alternative Route - Foxes Tarn Gully

14 - Harter Fell. Grade II. *

A good mountaineering approach to Harter Fell that winds its way up broken rock.
Alternative route - the path to the summit.

 

15 - Throng Close Buttress, Duddon Valley. Grade I. *

A pleasant little scramble up lovely rock.
Alternative Route - path to Seathwaite Tarn 

 

 

16 - Great Blake Rigg, Grey Friar. Grade III. **

A good buttress route up Grey Friar.
Alternative Route - ridge to Grey Friar

17 - Easy Terrace, Dow Crag. Grade III. **

This is the easiest way up the cliff and is a climbers descent route.   There are better scrambles on the cliff but this one can be climbed with a loaded pack.
Alternative Route - Main path from Coniston Old Man 

18 - Main Face, Pike O Stickle. Grade II. ***

An exposed, excellent route up the face of Pike O Stickle.
Alternative Route - Main Dungeon Ghyll Path 

19 - South West Face, Harrison Stickle. Grade II.  **

A nice open scramble on very good rock.
Alternative Route - Main path from Pike O Stickle

20 - Jacks Rake, Pavey Ark. Grade I. ***

This classic scramble is taken in descent which some may find disconcerting and is certainly an unusual way of completing the route which may require some bypassing moves or waiting for those ascending. The scramble follows an obvious groove across the face of Pavey Ark and is a classic.
Alternative - Take the main path down from Pavey Ark to Stickle Tarn