|
Wistow Crags, Pillar - Lake
District
|
|
Grade: 2
|
|
A different way up a very popular
mountain in the Mosedale Horseshoe.
|
|
Equipment: Protection and ropes
optional.
|
|
Online Map link
|
|
Views: 3
Technicality: 2
Exposure: 2
|
|
GIBBER FACTOR* 2
*out of
five.
|
|
|
|
|
Overview A different way up a very popular mountain in the
Mosedale Horseshoe - below. A superb position at the end of Mosedale
gives easy access from Wasdale and takes you straight up to Wind Gap
by Pillar.
Approach You don't get many easier or more pleasant walk-ins
than this. From behind the Wasdale Head Inn take the path into
Mosedale and follow it along the valley floor, aiming directly for
Wind Gap. The route starts to the right of the gap and a diagonal
path leads you to an obvious double tiered buttress.
Route A big grass-covered platform at the base of the buttress
gives a way onto the easy start, going straight up to the base of a
steep face.
Move left to a gully that bypasses the steep wall, or for a harder
route take the left edge of the wall using good but poorly spaced
holds. Take the rib to the right of the gully on excellent rock
followed by boulders.
Cracking Marcus Crompton shot from Pillar -
OM
album
The angle now gets easier as you top the first tier of the
buttress. Start the next tier left of the obvious slab on a broad
crest to a ledge. At the left-hand edge of the buttress lie a series
of solid slabs at a good angle, and these put you back on
lower-angled rock with a mix of walking and climbing giving the way
ahead.
Once above the gullies move left to find a series of ribs, and
keep right on the ribs to keep to the solid ground. You emerge to the
right of Wind Gap, with a short stroll to the summit of Pillar -
below.
Descent From Pillar the choices are endless. For a return to
Wasdale the obvious answer is to traverse the Mosedale Horseshoe ridge,
descending via either the Black Sail path or take the ridge anti
clockwise and eventually descend via Yewbarrow.
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.
