My Top 10 Favourite Lakeland Crags #3: Gimmer Crag, Langdale
/This huge barrel-shaped sweep of grey rock with its contrasting characters and fine situation is the jewel in Langdale’s climbing crown.
Thus opens the section in the FRCC about Gimmer, and I totally agree. Great rock, quick-drying routes, beautiful views – what’s not to like about Gimmer? With quality routes at a wide variety of grades, it’s hard to know where to start.
The Purple Edge. Photo credit: Chris Moore
Because of the shape of the crag, one side gets morning sun and the other gets evening sun. If you do the routes for any particular day in the order suggested, you will be in the sun all day.
Day One – VDiff & S
Main Wall Climb
First climbed: 1921
Current grade: VD**
Length of route: 49m
Number of pitches: 3
Ash Tree Slabs
First climbed: 1920
Current grade: VD+***
Length of route: 48m
Number of pitches: 2
‘D’ Route
First climbed: 1919
Current grade: S***
Length of route: 30m
Number of pitches: 1
A good continuation to Ash Tree Slabs
Belaying at the top of The Purple Edge. Photo credit: Chris Moore
Day Two - VS
The Purple Edge
First climbed: 2007
Current grade: VS**
Length of route: 48m
Number of pitches: 1
North-West Arête
First climbed: 1940
Current grade: VS-***
Length of route: 42m
Number of pitches: 1
‘F’ Route
First climbed: 1941
Current grade: VS+***
Length of route: 40m
Number of pitches: 1
Day Three – E1
Whit’s End Direct
First climbed: 1972
Current grade: E1+***
Length of route: 38m
Number of pitches: 1
Intern
First climbed: 1963/1966
Current grade: E1***
Length of route: 48m
Number of pitches: 2
Day Four – E1/E2
Crystal
First climbed: 1981
Current grade: E1-***
Length of route: 38m
Number of pitches: 1
Equus
First climbed: 1976
Current grade: E2+***
Length of route: 40m
Number of pitches: 1
Of course the options are many, and I have yet to find a poor route on Gimmer. The walk-in is steep, but not too long, and you won’t be disappointed.
What’s your favourite route on Gimmer, and why? We’d love to hear your stories.
