Described as a route for all weathers, this is a traditional mountaineering route set high above Borrowdale, graded Diff. The climbing is top quality and the trip into Combe Ghyll is well worth it.
Combe Ghyll is currently subject to a new hydro-electric scheme so care is needed on the walk up. The main track that is signposted to Glaramara is followed initially before joining a trod that heads into the back of the combe as opposed to joining the main ridge path.
We arrived early and geared up underneath the initial slabs. These slabs are a delight to climb and thankfully we had a dry day so it was never greasy or desperate. There is tricky rightwards moves into the gully and big chockstone belay.
Step up and out of the gully and traverse left before climbing a chimney. Traditional routes at this easy grade always seem to come with a chimney and they are usually quite entertaining; bridging, stemming, palming and most importantly, squirming all seem legitimate techniques in these places. Rucksacks always seem to be in the way too.
After the chimney we ascended further and after some nice slabs and wall we ended up at the infamous hand traverse. This is what everyone comes to do, and it was sensational. The climbing across here is wonderful and also very photogenic.
The last pitch on this route is also worth a note and is superb, it was a very good lead from Jo who has come on amazingly well with her climbing confidence in recent weeks.
We run Intro to Rock Climbing courses and Rock Climbing Improver courses for anybody looking to experience climbing or improve on their own abilities.
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