The Best of the Biggest of the Big

Tuesday July 19th
It was just last Sunday as I was wandering down the path back from Little How crag with CB, feeling quite bushed after a great day's climbing and a pretty long walk in and out.  The mobile pinged - text from NB.  "Am good for a day out on Tuesday - the forecast is nailed on - how about TW?".

It only took half a second for a cocktail of excitement and apprehension to begin to bubble in my brain - he's talking about....
Tophet Wall
Earlier this year an intention was expressed to get it done, so this week's standard response seemed right.  "If not now, when?".  And so plans were duly laid.

The long walk in on the hottest day of the year.

5km
600m ascent

Pasta power....

 Rewarded with a view of the wall in full midday sun. 

 

It's a monster!  A bit less intimidating than usual in this friendly light.

Line of the route shown in yellow
Belays in red

Climbers in view centre pic and right hand skyline.

Good signposts for adventures ahead

HS all the way

P1 provokes some thought.



But wishing it was easier won't help!


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NB moving up to the belay at top of P2.


For once the shade was more than welcome - time for a few gulps of cold water from the sack.

Looking across to Lingmell

Big mountain atmospheres abound in this sensational situation.

P3

NB on the superb hand traverse

Next moves are up and left to another good belay

P4 catches the last of the midday sun







AT on P4 (below)

The way up is somewhat forshortened from this angle

Pitch 4 - Climber making the thrilling moves from the pinnacle flake onto the finishing wall

The wind was really whipping round the edge (again!)

A bombroof big bong helped to stop the klaxons going off here.

This is it....

If you're gonna take a photo 
DO IT NOW!

© http://climbing.me.uk

"Simply magnificent - unequivocally the greatest mountain route of its grade in the Lake District"

(Lake District Rock)
                                 Just about sums it up.......

Phew!  

Breathing again on the narrow belay ledge, stayed roped up on the anchor given the sheer drop down on the right.

Westmoreland Crags in the background

A tricky down climb (roped) leads to the screes of Hell Gate

Steep and loose, but thankfully not too far back to base

A party from the Newcastle Climbing Wall just getting underway on P1.

Did the route in two big pitches versus our four

Looked a viable option

Would definitely run 1, 2 and 3 together next time Mr P?

Welcome party

Some numbers
0735 - leave W
0920 - park car
0935 - start walk in
1155 - arrive crag
1240 - start route
1630 - finish route
1710 - return to sacks
1735 - start walk out
1930 - arrive at car
2145 - W