Great Gable is regarded as the birthplace of British Rock Climbing and it all began in 1886 when a rather courageous chap called Walter Parry Haskett Smith climbed it Napes Needle solo - yes solo!
Back on Saturday client Dave was out with Clive with the ambition of getting up some of the classic climbs and scrambles within the 'Napes', the crag high on south face of Great Gable (seen in picture 2). It was a chilly day but as Dave had done a fair bit of climbing in the past, including a traverse of the Cuillin Ridge, they were able to move fast enough to stay warm.
Their day started with Napes Needle via the Wasdale Crack and whilst sitting on the top two local climbers manage to snap the picture below for them. After descending from the top of the Needle (the tricky bit!) they traversed around the crags to ascend the grade 2 scramble of Sphinx Ridge. All in all a fab day out at a classic venue.
In 2019 we have a date scheduled in the diary where you can sign up to climb Napes Needle, alternatively if you have another friend who is keen get in touch and we can organise a bespoke ascent for you. All led by professionally qualified mountaineering instructors.
