Climbing Jack's Rake
A Classic Scamble in the Langdale Pikes of the English Lake District
Nov 15, 2009
Jack's Rake is a classic scramble that ascends the face of Pavey Arc in the Langdale Pikes in the English Lake district. An relatively easy scramble across the exposed face of Pavey Arc, following Jack's Rake will take rock scramblers into the sort of terrain normally only enjoyed by seasoned rock climbers
Rock Scrambling on Jack's Rake
Jacks rake runs upwards and diagonally across the face of Pavey arc.
The route is a grade 1 scramble, one of the best rock scrambles in the English Lake District.
The first part of the route trends upwards in a shallow gully. The wall of the gully prevents scramblers from the worst of the feelings of exposure. At a tree the route levels for a short while, crossing a ledge with the full drop of the face of Pavey Arc to Stickle Tarn, laid out below the scrambler's feet.
A short steep step follows before the gully peters out. From here scramble upwards on easy but exposed slabs to reach the walkers route just below the summit of Pavey arc, one of the 214 Wainwrights and along with Harrison Stickle, Pike o Stickle, loft Crag and Thunacar Knott a fifth of the Langdale Pikes.
How to Find Jacks Rake on Pavey Arc
Jacks Rake ascends the face of Pavey Arc which is one of the Langdale Pikes in the Langdale Valley of the English Lakes District.
Easily reached by car or bus from Ambleside, where there is plentiful accommodation, the walk in to Jack's Rake starts from the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in the Langdale valley.
From the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel ascend the path up Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn where the face of Pavey Arc with Jack's race running diagonally upwards across it can be seen.
Continue around the east and north side of Stickle Tarn to reach the base of Jack's Rake
Exploring the Langdale Pikes in the English Lake District
The Langdale Pikes are a group of five distinctive mountains in the heart of the English Lakeland, near Ambleside and Windermere with a rich history from the Stone Age.
The Langdale Pikes have excellent walking.
Stay Safe when Rock Scrambling Jack's Rake
The weather in the English Lake District changes quickly. The difficulty of Jack's Rake increases if it is wet or windy, or if there is snow or ice on the route. Check the weather forecast before setting out to scramble up Jack's Rake.
The trough that the route of Jack's Rake follows drains water from the face of Pavey Arc and thus Jack's Rake remains wet after rain, and holds ice.
Go suitably equipped. Let someone know the day's proposed destination and time of return.
A fall from Jack's Rake could result in death. Only go rock scrambling on Jack's Rake, or elsewhere, if you are suitably experienced and confident in your abilities.
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