Jack's Rake, Langdale pikes

Peev

18/10/2005 at 16:12

Being a bit new to scrambling I was wondering how much bottle Jack's Rake takes ?
Traversed Striding Edge 3 weeks ago in a reasonably confident manner (and thoroughly enjoyed it) and am now seeking further thrills without having the climbing experience. How does JR compare to this (I believe its Grade 1)? Thanks for your help.

Dave Mycroft

18/10/2005 at 16:19

Hi Peev,

Yes Jack's Rake is a grade 1. It's probably the easiest grade 1 route in the Lakes. The majority of it has very little noticeable exposure as there's a bit of a ramp between the path and the cliff edge. If you felt that confident on Stridding Edge then I can't see you having much problem with it.

Peev

18/10/2005 at 16:55

Cheers Dave

Peewiglet

18/10/2005 at 18:43

Don't wear a bulky sack though, Peev, because it's narrow in places, and it's possible to get jammed.

AT (http://AyrshireTiger.wordpress.com/)

18/10/2005 at 20:14

Not much to add but I asked a similar thing last year (hidden away in a thread about pubs!). See:

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forummessages/mps/dt/4/utn/4812/last/1/V/1/SP/

Woodie

19/10/2005 at 00:50

Pretty straightforward grade 1 scramble - although I did pass a sheep that had fallen to a grim death when I went up in July

Perhaps it was trying to escape from Oots flock?

Orange Alex Ford

19/10/2005 at 22:00

There is a "moment" of exposure at the top of it, and it certainly can make inexperienced scramblers legs wobble.

But its a cracking route up onto the Pikes.

Kamikaze Badger

20/10/2005 at 07:33

A the risk of hijacking the thread, I was looking at taking a mate up this route at the end of the month. Any one know of any more challanging routes up onto the Pikes (Grade 1-2, not lead a 3 yet). Were camping at the NT site in Langdale, so hopefully looking at walking out from there.

Cheers

Ninja Marmot

20/10/2005 at 09:51

There is the lower end of Dungeon Ghyll, you can avoid the grade 3 bit at the end/top if you walk out prior to that instead. Should you decide to do the last wall at the end on the right, take a rope unless you are all happy with soloing grade 3s.

The lower end is alongside the ghyll so make sure you have boots or sealskinz on :o)

Hedgehope Aztec

20/10/2005 at 10:19

Yep and when you've finished Dungeon Ghyll nip across and do the South West face on Harrison Stickle, a nice entertaining grade 2.

Tim Gillott

20/10/2005 at 20:21

Did it a couple of weeks ago. It's superb. Basically once you've cracked the nerves and got going, its a corker. Dead sheep count 2 and a spare bit of vertebrae that got mistook for a handhold. I am now a scrambling addict and off in a couple of weeks to crack a few more Grade 1's from Langdale. However, the Rake would be a different proposition in snow, ice or heavy rain.

Tim Gillott

20/10/2005 at 20:24

PS To Kamikaze Badger - get the revised Scrambles in the Lake District ( South ) from Ciccerone for £12.00. Available in the campsite shop at Langdale. It's got the lot and then you can scamper round to Coniston for some more. I'm aiming to pick off a quick half dozen next month.

Nick Laurie

20/10/2005 at 20:34

Hi Peev

All relative really, one mans meat etc.

I've been up JR many times, I've seen sprogs up there brimming with confidence and gung-ho types in army surplus gear in a real state - quivering and hugging the rock!

If you were OK on SE then you shouldn't have any probs although saying this my mate who is more than happy on SE was very nervous when exiting the final stretch of gully onto the slabs leading to the summit, went very wobbly and was decidedly unhappy.

Gully is very slippery in the wet although the slabs tend to be not too bad when wet.

The Rake is best avoided by beginners when full of snow/ice when it can become completely filled - makes for an interesting hour or two if you have crampons and an axe though.

Cheers

Nick

Nick Laurie

20/10/2005 at 20:39

Hi Kamikaze-Badger

Stickle Ghyll (G1) then Tarn Crag (G2) then SW Buttress , Harrison Stickle (G2)is a great route up onto the Pikes massif - all described in the Cicerone Lake District scrambling guides.

If you fancy a 'ballsy' scramble hire a guide and go up 'Crescent Climb' on Pavey Ark - great fun and just about the limit of what I am comfortable with (G3S).

Cheers

Nick

Kamikaze Badger

20/10/2005 at 20:43

Thanks all (sorry again for hijacking the thread), have done a number of grade 3/3s scrambles in North Wales just not lead any as yet.

Thanks Nick like the look of the Stickle Ghyll / Tarn Crag route up, sounds like fun - thanks again all.

Andy E

20/10/2005 at 20:53

You should be aware that this route gets very busy. I went up one wet and cloudy day and still had to queue behind 15 people. In one way, this can be an advantage for beginners because there is very likely to be someone there that can help (point out handholds etc.).

philip newing

20/10/2005 at 23:21

PW, I don't remember Jack's Rake being so narrow you might get jammed in it, and I'm a fairly bulky frame myself, bigger than most rucksacks I've seen!

Woodie

20/10/2005 at 23:22

There is one point where I had to through my sack up to avoid getting it caught. About half way up I recall.

Peewiglet

21/10/2005 at 05:57

I did, though, Philip, a couple of months ago. I thought I would never get out! Fortunately someone else shimmied back down and I wriggled out of my sack and passed it over to them.

Ninja Marmot

21/10/2005 at 10:54

Phil - there is a bit about half-way up. I was going up with a huge backpacking sac (ML training) and it was rather heavy. The usual option would have been to swing out to the left to a little arete and go up there. Due to the weight of the sac and a possible imbalance I stayed in the groove. I got wedged on a narrow bit. We got the rope out to give me and another stuck person some extra leverage - it was good practice anyhoo and the instructor liked it :o)

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