Preston Mountaineering Club

Newsletter extracts

A Grand Day Out - apologies to Nick Park!

by Ian Bradley

The Chorley Twosome, Wallace and Grommet, and Prestonian Gwendolyn set off early (well not that early) one Friday morning. Conditions for the previous week had been very cold and the freeze looked set to end at the weekend.

After some discussion, Mardale seemed a good objective. We arrived to find a few other hardy souls had already departed (I did say that we didn't leave all that early!) but the sun was shining and there was a smattering of snow almost down to the car park. Ice on the road gave a hint of the delights ahead!

A short walk brought us to the corrie of Blea Water - Wallace and I forging ahead of Grommet. There was a party on Birkett's Route so we opted for the ice waterfall of Blea Water Beck. This could be seen cascading down the hillside surrounded by a light snow cover.

We arrived fortunately just in front of another party. Wallace led the first pitch up an ice filled rocky gully come chimney - fairly straight forward. Grommet then tackled the steeper and thin chimney above. Delicate work with the pick whilst backing and footing (cramponing?) up was required as the ice was quite fragile in places. Grommet made it look easy. Wallace followed and clearly found it a bit tricky so in desperation not to look a fool, promptly started removing ice so that those following would find it harder - a cunning ploy but one that evoked a heart-felt cry of "Oi, leave some for us!"

Steve on pitch 2 Blea Water Beck	Ian on pitch 3 Blea Water Beck

After an easy section, it was Gwendolyn's turn to lead. As resident wimp, roughly translated as the inexperienced one, I tackled the short steep icefall. It provided interest, great fun and even an ice screw for protection. Above my belay, I could see about 30 metres of reasonably angled ice leading up to the main 30 metre pitch of water ice. Here Wallace played his trump card. It was his lead but he said to Grommet, "You know, I wouldn't feel as if I'd done the route unless I'd led the main pitch". Grommet fell for it and agreed to lead the pitch up to the base of the icefall. What spirit, what a sacrifice, what a fool?

Steve on the main pitch	Mike on the main pitch

Wallace led the main pitch with great aplomb - well after that he had to. Four ice screws on the excellent 70 degree ice led him to a good stance. Grommet and I followed up, moving together provided good photo opportunities. Above, several small icefalls provided great sport until the summit ridge was reached where great views in all directions awaited us. All that was left was a pleasant ramble down over Mardale Ill Bell to Nan Bield Pass and back to the car. A short drive took us to the pub and excellent fish 'n chip shop in Shap.

It was a grand day out. Have a look at the photos on the website - in particular, one of them is dying for a good caption!

An ascent of Blea Water Beck [III] by

Stephen Croft [Wallace]
Mike Pringle [Grommet] and
Ian Bradley [Gwendolyn]