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Jack's Rake, Langdale
- Lake District
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Grade: 1
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Overview: Along with Striding Edge
this is possibly the most popular scramble in the Lake
District and the start of many peoples scrambling - not
difficult, but in a great situation on Pavey Ark high above
Stickle Tarn.
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Equipment: Ropes and protection is
recommended in the more exposed higher
sections.
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Online Map link
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Views: 3
Technicality: 1
Exposure: 2
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GIBBER FACTOR*
*out of
five.
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Overview Along with Striding Edge this is possibly the most
popular scramble in the Lake District and the start of many people's
scrambling experience. With outstanding views and a superb location
this classic line is the ideal introduction to summer scrambling.
Because it's a rake with a highish sidewall between you and the
drop, it only really feels exposed at the very top and on a couple of
small steps lower down.
The grade is easy and the line is obvious even on the approach. In
bad weather it can be difficult to find the start for using the route
as a descent, but although used as a climbers' descent from the cliffs
of Pavey Ark this really is a classic ascent route. It also makes a
great part of a Langdale day walk.
Approach The normal approach is from the car park at the New
Dungeon Ghyll. Follow Stickle Ghyll (Formerly Mill Ghyll) up the
often overcrowded and extremely obvious tourist path to Stickle Tarn.
From the Tarn the line of Jack's Rake stands out clearly running
diagonally up the imposing face of Pavey Ark ahead. Go around the
tarn to the base of the route at the right hand corner of the main
cliff near the start of Easy Gully.
Route - Start up a rocky, but often wet, trough that slowly
steepens as you pass below popular rock climbs like Stoat's Crack.
Beware here in summer of rocks dislodged by climbers above.
As you approach Rake End Wall, the trough levels momentarily
before heading up again, passing an obvious dark looking chimney on
your right. Pass a tree and continue to a second, larger, tree at a
ledge. Keep your eyes open here for the obvious white banding of
quartz intrusions in the slate. Now you can choose between staying in
the security of the in-cut ramp or taking a more exposed line along
the crest of what is effectively the left hand wall of the
trough.
Continue to another obvious tree, then after a short less inclined
section pass Gwynne's Chimney to a steep step up. The route returns
to its easy gradient and the trough deepens before you emerge onto an
obvious platform below a rib. The route now moves out onto the front
of the buttress then over a short rock step to a rib.
A depression with a cairn at the top brings you to a wall and the
normal walkers' path for the last few yards to the summit. Although
protection is hardly necessary on Jack's Rake it's a good idea to
wear a helmet, especially in summer, as the route passes below many
classic climbs with a danger of dislodged stones from above.
Likewise, in the upper sections take care not to knock rocks onto
climbers below.
If you tackle the route in winter, be aware that it does take
drainage and can be iced higher up.
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.
Over 40
