Somewhere over the Raven

...Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true......

Thursday July 23rd
Juggling weather and diary since Monday, eventually all variables loaded for Thursday.  Not a great forecast anywhere, but #AT.NB.CB team good for a multi-pitch day so
Raven Crag Langdale
set as best fit as a dry-rock low-altitude hope for some sun sort of venue.  As it turned out coped well with a mixed day with some blustery winds and spitty spotty spells eventually brightening up quite nicely for the last route. Crag was busy with various teams but everybody relaxed and friendly.  Pretty much as to plan except last minute swap - finished off with Bilberry Buttress instead of Evening Wall.  Picked up some useful three men and a rope tricks from Mr B.  All good.

Superb pic of main crag © Rog Wilko

                                L-R

                                         Bilberry Buttress (~50m with Alt-LH finsih)

                                         Elevation (43m)

                                        Revelation (50m)

                                        Centipede (~70m)

NB gets the party started on P1 of Centipede (S4a)

CB bypasses the big flake and gets some good gear in under the overhang on P2

NB and AT make use of said flake, didn't seem to be any holds the way CB went?

AT roulez relax across to the fine arete on P3

Fabulous setting - all over too soon 

Belay cheeseville as usual

CB carries on in cruise mode

Rained a little whilst descending but pressed on regardless 

NB lifts a way up Elevation (HS)

Other climber firmly off route on Revelation P2

Won't get his A level grades that way

Worthwhile climbing, just deteriorates a bit at the top


Sixth former back on track

NB completing P1 Revelation (HS)


Another climber nearing the top of P2 in a stupendous position

The plan called for a wander across to Evening Wall

However couldn't pass by Bilberry Buttress without giving it another look, then CB made an offer - seemed churlish to refuse.  Before any chance of a fully thought out option appraisal he was racked up and off.

Bilberry Buttress VS 4b 4c 4a (Alt P3)
P1 starts with straight forward scramble
Rudely interrupted by this 4 metre monster of a fist jamming test piece.

4b?  Surely not!

Looks almost amenable from a less up close and personal viewpoint

One of those suck you in and spit you out sort of routes (UKC logbooks feature these outcomes)

© moreno (UKC)

CB engages with the difficulties

.... having dispensed with P1 with the aid of a little difficulty continues up the fingery cracks and small edges on P2

Col-lage..!
(click for expanded view)

AT gets stuck in with some sort of arm bar effort

Just gotta stick with it until more usable holds arrive

Voices in the head...
"Get on up there lardy!"

One more move and a rewarding jug awaits another grateful hand

Turned down opportunity to abseil off an in-situ loop in the interest of getting another pitch in

P3 option finishes at the oak tree on the descent path




Over 200m in a three-some - good going