Walkhighlands

Family commitments left me precious little time to get out over the Easter weekend, which was especially frustrating given the superb weather. But I managed to steal a couple of hours on the Sunday afternoon for a quick saunter down (up) the river Eden from the village of Armathwaite. Not exactly a hill walk, this, but it's a lovely stretch of river with beautiful woodland and some interesting rapids and sandstone cliffs. It's very popular with local trippers as well as climbers, so I was expecting a lot of people. As it turned out there were a few walkers and picnickers, but, to my surprise, no climbers.

I took my rock shoes and chalk bag along with a view to soloing the classic 'Flasherman' (no doubt you'll see why it's so-named if you watch the vid ). A recent guidebook describes Flasherman as 'one of the best sandstone climbs anywhere' - a wildly exaggerated claim if 'anywhere' is taken literally, but it's certainly one of the finest sandstone climbs in Cumbria!

I thought I'd record the climb on my GoPro, which I haven't used much, so a bit of an experiment really. No musical soundtrack, I'm afraid - that's something I'll have to think about for future videos.



After the climb I headed back to the Fox and Pheasant pub, which was rammed, so I ended up in the garden of the Duke's Head just across the river. A nice end to a pleasant afternoon

Climb: Flasherman, 30m VS 4b
First ascent: A. Yarrow, S. Wilson, May 17 1973.

Heck, that looks superb and pretty challenging as a solo! I don't know whether you did it on sight, but you certainly shot up there pretty smartly .

Noted, and on the list of climbs to take a look at.

Thanks for posting.

Wow
Yes the hardest I ever soloed was about mild Severe. i went to Armathwaite a couple of times . I remember an HVS where climbed up a corner to a roof where you had a make a very long stride R to get round it. I was never tall enough to make it
You're not thinking of repeating the El Cap solo are you?

Alteknacker wrote:Heck, that looks superb and pretty challenging as a solo! I don't know whether you did it on sight, but you certainly shot up there pretty smartly .

Noted, and on the list of climbs to take a look at.

Thanks for posting.

Cheers AK. I've done Flasherman a few times over the years, so it wasn't an on-sight. I remembered the general layout of the climb and certain crucial holds, but there are always things you forget from previous ascents.

It is a lovely climb with nice holds and moves and nothing too difficult. Two overhanging bits constitute the two cruxes, the first at about 20ft. and the second at about 70ft. I'd certainly recommend it as a solo if you're climbing regularly at VS and above. It's a fairly soft touch for a VS; UKC gives it 4c, but I think 4b is nearer the mark (and what it gets in the FRCC guide).

For a first go at it, I'd recommend dropping a rope down (good tree belays at the top) and self-belaying with a shunt or Tibloc. See how you get on and then decide whether you're prepared to solo it. Karl seconded me up it a couple of years ago and fell off, so beware.

There are other, easier climbs at Armathwaite well worth doing, Such as Bullgine Run (VDiff) and Kingfisher (Severe). If you fall off the latter you'll land in the river - better than hitting the ground! Armathwaite has a certain magic; definitely worth a visit.

past my sell by date wrote:Wow
Yes the hardest I ever soloed was about mild Severe. i went to Armathwaite a couple of times . I remember an HVS where climbed up a corner to a roof where you had a make a very long stride R to get round it. I was never tall enough to make it
You're not thinking of repeating the El Cap solo are you?

Thanks Tony.

No, I'm definitely not thinking of repeating the El Cap solo! That was seriously pushing the boat out even for Alex Honnold; the technical standard he solo's at is just unbelievable.

The climb you describe sounds like it could be Barnacle Bill (now graded E1)? There are certainly some great climbs at Armathwaite, though the rock can be soft in places.

Breathtaking! I am not used to climbing and I hardly could stand to watch the video until the end.

Grisu wrote:Breathtaking! I am not used to climbing and I hardly could stand to watch the video until the end.

Thanks Grisu! Climbing is a very exhilarating pursuit if you like a challenge; it's surprising what you can do when you get used to it. Soloing is a bit risky though.