The Napes

The views down over Wasdale valley as we made our way back around to the base of Great Napes were mesmerising.

Summer in the Lake District is truly magical and never have I felt this more than I did over our two days of big mountain adventures here in the West Lakes.

Looking down over the upper Wasdale Valley from the base of Napes Needle

After a successful ascent of Tophet Wall (HS 4b) it was time for our next two Classic Rock routes; The Wasdale Crack (HS 4c) and Needle Ridge (VD).

Napes Needle: The Wasdale Crack (HS 4C)

Possibly one of the most iconic rock climbs in the UK, the most recognisable piece of rock and probably the most photographed… Napes Needle is the birth-place of British rock climbing.

Old image of a climber on Napes Needle

Napes Needle was first climbed in a daring solo ascent in 1886 by a man named Walter Parry Haskett-Smith and he climbed this via the now classic ‘Wasdale Crack’, our route for today!

Making my way up the Wasdale Crag (HS 4c) on pitch 1

A short climb of two pitches takes you firstly up the large crack to the shoulder of the feature, then, after gaining a head height ledge you are led leftwards and up to the very small summit of the pinnacle!

Adrian and I at the top of Napes Needle

Getting down can be tricky but for me, with an experienced Guide, the descent consisted of a counterbalance abseil, which landed us right at the start of our third and final climb of the day… Needle Ridge (VD)!

Needle Ridge (VD)

What better way to end our day of adventure than with an ascent of a classic Lakeland ridge?!

Needle Ridge (VD) starts from the gap between Napes Needle and the main cliff and it was evident from the start that this is a popular route… seen by the tell tale signs of smoothly polished rock!

As we worked our way up the ridge and gained some height we were rewarded with a unique view of Napes Needle. As we looked back down over the pinnacle we could see two climbers preparing themselves for their own ascent of this Lakeland classic.

Heading up Needle Ridge (VD) with a view back down over Napes Needle and the Wasdale valley

Our climbing flowed effortlessly as we made our way up Needle Ridge and I couldn’t help but reflect back on my first day out climbing just 7 weeks prior when every move on a moderate climb felt challenging! Now I was making my way up Great Gables most famous ridge climb, on my third rock climb of the day and completely as ease with my movements.

On Needle Ridge (VD) as the sun begins to set

With its sustained exposure, rugged high crag location and views over Wasdale valley and the Scafell massif, Needle Ridge is surely one of the Lake Districts best mountaineering routes?

Ade at the top of Needle Ridge (VD)