Ian and I took Rebecca and Mina (who I met on last year’s international rock climbing meet in South Africa and are now visiting the Lakes from their home in Germany) to Shepherds Crag…

We chose Shepherds for two reasons. Firstly, there’s a great cafe to meet at and plan the day’s activities, and secondly, the weather forecast was rapidly deteriorating. From blue skies when we left home to decidedly grey by time we got to the cafe!

But not detterred – our mission to sample some Lakeland rock come what may – we headed to the crag.

However, only 50 metres up the path and Mina realised she’d left her harness back at home! Ah well, exploiting the weakness of the pound (or is it the strength of the Euro?), Mina had planned to treat herself to a new harness on the holiday anyway. So Ian and Mina retreated to Keswick while Rebecca and I continued on to the crag.

It was a little damp, so we started on Fisher’s Folly. Half way up the rain started!

Rebecca at the first belay of Fisher's Folly with a rapidly deteriorating view of Skidaw behind

Soon after Ian and Mina returned, complete with a new DMM harness, and quickly followed us up Fisher’s Folly in the light rain.

Mina (now with a new harness!) on Fisher's Folly in light rain!

We moved on to Eve in what can only be called “proper” rain – the slabby section of the second pitch was quite exciting; little protection with wet, lichenous, and slippery rock! After all that excitement we had to admit defeat to the Cumbrian rain, we packed our bags and went back to the cafe to decide what to do next.

But not after checking out a few pictures of the adventures thus far…

Ian shows Mina and Rebecca some of the rainy climbing shots...

Toys at Shepherds Cafe

It didn’t take long to realise that no more climbing was on the agenda, ideas of a mass ascent on Troutdale Pinnacle in the rain were quickly frowned upon. We resolved to check out Keswick’s malt whisky shop and enjoy a cafe latte in the new Costa…

Coffee please!

Article Series - German Lakeland Visit

1. Rebecca & Mina visit Shepherds Crag
2. Staveley Beer Festival – Beer, Gurning and Music
3. White Ghyll