Couldn't let this spell of great weather pass without getting out. My only problem was deciding where to go. Eventually pick Langdale and a climb out of the valley that I have not done since my rock climbing days over 25 years ago.
I park near the New DG and take the path south of Dungeon Gill up Mark Gate. Memories of toiling up here in the afternoon sun with a sack of climbing gear and then running back down as darkness was coming to catch last orders in the pub.
As the path levels out below Loft Crag I take a faint trod and contour below Gimmer Crag, around the toe of the buttress and scramble up the west side of the crag. It is a brilliant piece of rock and I pick out the lines of past glories. Kipling Groove, Springbank, F Route, Equus.
Can you spot the climbers?
I scramble up the rest of the gully and head for Pike 'O' Stickle. Then back to Loft Crag because I have never actually been to the summit before. The views are fantastic.
Then it is on to Harrison Stickle. Thunacar Knott and Pavey Ark. I descend the gully east of the crag and then cut back to the shore of Stickle Tarn. I am tempted by Jacks Rake but decide to leave it for another day. Instead I run around the tarn and then cross the shoulder of Harrison Stickle and descend to Pike Howe then back to the car.
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