ExplorerPod.com

A Great Activity In The English Lake District – Scrambling
Many see scrambling as a mountain adventure like rock
climbing – and, yes, it is exciting, but if done properly
it provides loads of excitement with none of the risk. The
Lake District offers many fine scrambles, including the
most famous of all – Jack’s Rake. If you’re of average
fitness, and with a stout heart, this is scramble well
worth attempting.

But let’s start by answering the fundamental question of
all would-be scramblers. How do you define scrambling? It’s
a pastime somewhere between steep walking and rock
climbing. It’s not really climbing, but it certainly isn’t
hill-walking (known as fell walking in this part of the
world). You’ll always need your hands to hold on – together
with your feet and any other spare part of your anatomy!

If you want something more exciting than fell-walking,
scrambling is an exciting step upwards which will add huge
interest to a day out. And for rock climbers, a day spent
scrambling is a great rest-day alternative.

But what may appeal to you most is the chance to get off
the beaten track. Scrambling usually takes place off
conventional trails and footpaths, so even on the busiest
days you have the chance of solitude.

The Lake District has many varied scrambles, ranging from
steep ridges and buttresses to water-filled ghylls and
ravines.  There are many guide books available which take
you through the classic and more challenging routes. They
are graded from 1 to 4 – if you’re a beginner, you’ll want
to start with Grade 1, the easiest.

Although the easiest scrambles are well within a fit
walker’s capacity, unroped scrambling in exposed situations
can present some risks. If you want to try it, make sure
that you are well-briefed, and ensure the weather is
suitable – wet rock in particular can be very dangerous.

To learn more about scrambling contact the British
Mountaineering Council on 0870 010 4878 or visit
www.thebmc.co.uk

And so – you’ve decided you want to try it: where to go
first? Jack’s Rake in the Langdale Pikes is a classic
scramble, well known to generations of walkers.

You start in Langdale from the Stickle Ghyll car park, and
ascend up to Stickle Tarn in one not-so-difficult ascent.
This gives you the chance to survey the Rake, a diagonal
traverse of the face of the crag opposite you. The cut of
Jack’s Rake makes its way from the bottom right to top left
of Pavey Ark – and it’s easy to see. Now’s the time to
rethink your plan for the day if your nerve gives way!

The exposed areas can be seen clearly. If you decide to go
ahead, walk around the tarn to the foot of Jack’s Rake and
look up the crevice in the rock. The first feature point is
a sole Rowan tree about a hundred yards ahead – beyond
that, it’s easier to go on rather than turn around.

For most of the ascent you climb inside a rock groove.
which makes this feel very safe for beginners. Although
there are tight spots the rock channel offers comforting
protection from exposure to the drop down to the tarn.
However, bear in mind that there are some very exposed
sections later on!

After you’ve passed the Rowan tree, there’s a small flat
piece of ground with no edge protection – perfect for
viewing the scenery! The path is wide, but step off and
you’re going to be falling off the cliff and down to the
tarn. Be very careful where you tread!

The next stage of the climb has a few scary moments -
mostly involving smooth rock which is slippery when wet, or
tight crevasses which you cannot squeeze through, and so
must traverse on the edge of the rock face. And near the
final ascent comes the most exposed bit of Jack’s Rake: a
sharp turn to the right to gain the summit, with a sheer
drop below you to the left. Like so many frightening
situations, it’s better if you don’t stop to think, grasp
your handholds firmly, and haul yourself up.

Finishing the scramble is a moment of triumph, and if
you’re a novice Lake District Scrambler it will give you
fantastic memories for years to come!

—————————————————-
The Lake District Guide contains hundreds of pages of
information on Lakes hotels and other accommodation, as
well as restaurants, walks, places to go and things to do.
The full route of Jack’s Rake is included! In fact, we have
all the information you’ll need for a great holiday in the
Lakes. Find us at http://www.lake-district-guides.co.uk