“The north face of the fell has a formidable aspect. Crags and shadowed hollows, scree and tumbled boulders, form a wild, chaotic scene, a setting worthy of a fine mountain”
A Wainwright
The Slab & Notch route offers the easiest route to the summit of Pillar Rock, an exposed grade 3 scramble first climbed in 1861. A wonderful exposed scramble high above the Ennerdale Valley.
“You see yon precipice-it almost looks
Like some vast building made of many crags,
And in the midst is one particular rock
That rises like a column from the vale,
Whence by our Shepherds it is call'd, the Pillar”
Wordsworth, The Brothers
The Walk in
From Wasdale Head we will climb the path along the Mosedale Valley and alongside Gatherstone Beck to Black Sail Pass, turning left at the pass we will follow the ridge over Looking Stead until we reach the point where the path splits and we turn off onto the High Level Route.
The High Level Route is one of the most spectacular paths in the Lake District in it's own right, dramatic corries and crags and an ever changing view over the Ennerdale Valley below.
Once we reach the Robinson Cairn we will have our first real view over Pillar Rock and towards the top left of the rock we will be able to trace the route of Slab & Notch.
An easy but steep pull will bring us up from the Robinson Cairn to the back of Pillar Rock, with a little exposure and very easy scrambling as we cross the Shamrock Traverse.
The Scramble
Good scrambling with firm holds, although there are two very steep sections and the final gully can often be greasy. The first section of the ascent crosses 'The Slab' easy scrambling but with high levels of exposure following the grooves, next comes a steep section, a little more awkward as we climb up to 'The Notch'.
From the notch we climb up and across to reach the large gully that leads op onto the summit of Pillar Rock.
The Walk Out
There are many ways back to Wasdale Head from Pillar Rock, options on the day may depend on the time we get off Pillar Rock but it's only a short easy scramble up to the summit of Pillar from here, if a short descent is required then the quickest way down will be to follow the ridge back to Black Sail Pass, longer routes could include following the ridge by Scoat Fell and Red Pike back to Wasdale.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside the Wasdale Head Inn
Postcode: CA20 1EX
Grid Reference: NY 186 087
Directions
Gosforth can easily be found on the A595 road south of Egremont (An easy drive south from Cockermouth and Workington). Follow the road through the village, turning left as the road forks on the High Street.
Follow this road taking the left hand fork (avoiding Nether Wasdale) and follow the road signs for Wasdale Head and Wastwater.
When a junction is reached near the lake (Wastwater) turn left and follow this lane past the end of the lake until after two sharp bends a car park is seen on the right of the road, a short distance away from the Wasdale Head Inn. Park here and we will meet outside the Wasdale Head Inn.
Bus Services
There are no bus services to Wasdale Head.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
Each participant is expected to have suitable personal equipment for their activity this should include the following:
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
For winter walks (November to March) events please also bring the following:
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
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Pillar Rock Review by Michael
Many thanks for organising the guides to take us up Pillar Rock last week. We were very professionally taken up, with minimal fuss and in perfect weather. (Posted on 05/09/2015)
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