Crescent Climb, Pavey Ark, Lake District

On the 10th March 2019 James and I attempted Crescent Climb on Pavey Ark, whilst Jase, Dave, Matt and Miles tackled Jack's Rake. James and I missed out because we didn't complete Crescent Climb, getting crag-fast at the halfway point, whilst the others had a great day on Jack's Rake.

So it is embarrassing to admit that on this occasion we needed the services of the Langdale/Ambleside Mountain Resuce team (LAMR), but better to be abseiled off in one piece than stretchered off from the bottom.

What we knew about this excursion before we left is that it was a scramble, albeit a grade '3', but still a scramble. So we took harnesses, static rope and minimal gear which was well used right until we decided we had got as far as we were going to go!

We miss judged the conditions, it was bright and mostly dry, but it was March and we were stopped in our tracks when we hit water flowing over the start of the traverse. This made the rock very wet and we found little in the way of gear placements. By this point we had already been climbing our way out of trouble, knowing we couldn't return and hoping we could complete the scramble.

If the conditions were better we would of been able to continue or return, if we had more gear and most importantly climbing rope, we could have escaped.

The most important thing is what was learnt on this trip, now I am better equipped when it comes to decision making!

LAMR were awesome, we had a long wait for rescue but had the best view observing them getting into position above and below us and taking a strategic observation point. One rescuer abseiled down to us on a 100m rope to which James and I attached ourselves to and the three of us abseiled down together. By this point it was dark but we safely walked off and crucially spent the evening in the pub not the hospital.

I'm please to say we got the opportunity to thank our rescuers and buy them a pint!