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Pinnacle Ridge, St
Sunday Crag - Lakes
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Grade: 3
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Overview: One of the Lake District's
classic scrambles. A long walk in is required, but the
results are well worth it with superb scrambling on solid
rock in an impressive position.
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Equipment: Ropes and protection
strongly advised
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On line map
link
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Views: 2
Technicality: 3-
Exposure: 2
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GIBBER FACTOR*
*out of
five.
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Overview Pinnacle Ridge is one of the Lake District's classic
scrambles and while it's not obvious from below, it's a superb,
defined ridge route to the top of the broad plateaued summit of St
Sunday Crag near Patterdale.
The route's a longish walk in from Patterdale, but the results are
well worth it with superb scrambling on solid rock in an impressive
position. All sorts of continuations are possible from this route
taking in most obviously Fairfield or Helvelyn. Brilliant route :-)
Approach Take the path up
Grisedale to just beyond
Elmhow then move left to pick up the faint zig-zag track to a
platform. Move right again and pick up another poorly-defined track
to another platform and onwards to the scree slope. Climb alongside
the scree to the obvious jumble of boulders that marks the start of
Pinnacle Ridge.
Route - The route starts from a cairn by the side of a gully
and takes the series of blocks forming the edge of the buttress. The
buttress becomes more exposed as you climb higher above the gully,
but the rock underfoot improves throughout, giving solid foot and
handholds.
The first obstacle is the block ahead that looks like a gun -
climb the slab below the gun until it becomes too smooth for easy
progress, then move right behind an obvious large block.
Follow the crest of the ridge upwards to a large pinnacle, which
should be avoided by moving left. Behind the pinnacle take a greasy
corner in the steep wall ahead (protection advised) before exiting
left.
Move right to rejoin the crest of the ridge and continue to a slab
on the left. Rejoin the crest of the ridge and continue on exposed
ground to a large slab which ends the crest suddenly.
Move left over the top then downclimb another slab to gain an easy
vegetated slope. Move left again to steeper ground and climb the
large blocks leading to the top.
Caution Scrambling is potentially dangerous and, particularly
at the higher grades, requires technical skills and equipment to
minimise the risk. We suggest that you take professional instruction
or climb with an experienced partner.Braich ty du Face,
Snowdonia
Graham 
