Swirl it Up

Thursday July 19th
Another window opens up with a good forecast and no committments, so with motivation still high after a day's rest it was time to revisit the long planned return to

Upper Swirl Crag
Walk in via the Helvellyn track, follow the wall, through the wall, then continue a couple of hundred metres to an open area with a boulder.  Follow a faint track up through bracken, up between two small outcrops then up the scree. Forty minutes in.  25 minutes out.

BP gets the First One in
(left)








 

After this AT gave Sunset a go.  Not many people have.

All rather worrying for severe.  Finished up Tight Fit - the 5a next door - felt safer.





BP sets up belays for the day.  Good boulder but well
back.

Did Tight Fit on a TR (no low pro).  Excellent climbing, fingerlocking good!  Lead possible.


BP tackles the beetling rock of Midge Wall.



Wide angle pic here

Back in June 2013, BP Rudolfed a way up the start of Ballet Mecanique with some very dynamic moves

Photo by NB

At repeats the choreography and a quick JETÉ leads to a solid landing.

Slings galore, should have taken more!

From here head right into the blocky corner

A splendid steep shape-fest finale

Great setting

Fabulous weather


Thirlmere well down

BP gallops up the Knacker's Yard

Some Yee Haa! moves gain a photo finish

As routes go it's a winner!

The Runs

A very pokey start gains the undercut groove
Some bold moves follow


AT tucks trousers into socks and stiffens resolve

The groove is undercut at the start.

Entry is encouraged by some strenuous moves on poor holds above a bad landing.

A sapling invites a sling but its as dead as a dry twig.

Otherwise it's very nice.

L-R
Sunset
Tight Fit
The First One
Midge Wall
Ballet Mecanique
The Runs
The Knackers Yard

A great day's traditional Lakeland sport
More pictures here