Steve Brown, who  was on the first ascent  back in 1977 and who now owns the farm below, reckons there have been at least 34 ascents of the Ridge this summer (2015-2016) so far. He points out:

  • Many parties are still underestimating the length of time it takes to climb and descend the route and are returning in the dark even with  summer evenings. It is easy to get lost on the route, jam ropes etc etc – take a head torch, start early... and there is NO water on the way up or down.
  • He has a log book at the gate now for visitors to sign and to leave their comments - he would appreciate visitors filling it in, both as a safety precaution, and to read your comments (!)
  • And some climbers are recommending soloing/simul climbing the route – worth remembering it is a mountain route, not a well trodden crag climb, and although overall the rock is sound, there can be (and is) loose rock, dodgy holds, spaced pro, getting lost on harder grounds etc. Probably not a place to lead if Grade 12 is anywhere near your limit or you have little experience of  big faces.

He does also say most people seem to have a great time!!!

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  1. Ben Thorp

    Some good points made!

    Another one to note is that the track is not that well marked out now (quite a few tags missing and many well spaced).  Even if you time the descent perfectly to finish the abseil just at sunset it's easy to get off route in the scree slope in the dark and overshoot the start of the track in the bush.  I know a few parties this happened to.

    Maybe a local samaritan can re-tag the track at some point?