Wrynose Cowboys

 Wednesday July 24th

A period of settled weather opens up all the windows.  Lately there's been a fair bit of Northumberland, a pair of  Peaks, so maybe time to head out west somewhere off our beaten track in Lakeland.  It's been six years ago since the last visit so look no further than the superbly situated and extensive selection of longer single pitch routes above the Three Shires Stones at;

Long Scar

Figure just visible centre right

Leave B. Walk 07.30

Three Shires 09.50 via Red Bank 

Arrive Crag 10.35.

A party of SPA aspirants powers ahead to get set up on some prime routes.

A fair few teams in action today.

Views down to Duddon

Katie's Dilemma (VS 4b), AT talked himself into ignoring the water soaking the crux side-pull and GET ON UP there.  BP had same issue in 2014.   

Another couple followed suit.  Leader is climbing on the jugs above the crux in the bottom half of this shot.  

Trigger (S4a) starts half way down the descent rake.  AT duly popped up while it was handy and had the gear.

CBs turn for two in a row. 

First up the Singing Cowboy at VS 4c, the further left onto on Great White at the same grade.

This slabby white shield is steeper than it looks.

Bold and thin moves above a #2 wire (lower left) then more gear arrives and the angle eases before steep cracks to finish.

AT ready for another go at Long Scar Groove.  Last done with NB in 2018.

The Groove is great once you get into it, the initial moves are a bit of a Dad dance.

Various options to finish from here.  The mossy exit straight above then slightly right is the usual route.

AT heads left on atempting variation.

Ends up going even further left to finish on Great White.

Wandering at will - thank goodness for twin ropes.

CB finishes off a great session with a solid lead up the steep wall of  Green Treacle (HS 4a).  Worth two stars but effectively two routes as it crosses the descent ramp at half height.  

Used the ramp all day great care required above a worrying drop.

Routes L-R

Great White  (white line)

Longscar Groove (showing variation finish)

Trigger (starts on descent ramp)

Green Treacle (green line)

(Red Arrow - start of descent ramp, extra care at half way needed).

Katie's Dilemma

Climbers just visible left of Katie's Dilemma - good company all afternoon Mr (and Mrs?) Everett.

Also met young bloke "Dave" who we chatted with two years ago at Shepherds, since when he has recently recovered from a very bad climbing accident at East Woodburn.

Walk out 16.05 - 16.40

Arrive BW 19.05 via The Brittania, Elterwater