Raven crag, Borrowdale

Well finally we are heading up to do a long awaited ascent of Corvus.This route is a 5 pitch climb at a pleasant 147 meters, 147 meters which gives and gives. There is not one pitch on this route I wouldn't wish to re climb, the route is an absolute joy. My favourite pitch was the last, what ashame it ran out so quick. I tried to slow down to take more in and hang around a bit as it was such a super climb.

Looking down from the last pitch.

So from the beginning

Rain stopped play, we arrived at the base of Combe Ghyll at around 08:00. Breakfast in the van with a mug of milky coffee

Breakfast went down a treat, bacon eggs and black pudding. It's a pity the weather hadn't tasted so good. The rain was heavy and low, low down the valley. Everywhere was saturated, even the rain was wet.

Looking out of the window believing it will lift, praying to the God of rock. Ok so no ones listening, at 11:00 after siting in the van chatting for 3 hrs we decided it's a no go. So off to Reescastle at Watendlath to check out some routes for future trips.

Arriving at Reescastle it to had been afflicted with the same wet stuff falling from the sky. We walked halfway up but retreated due to wet feet in the deluged grass.

Back at the van the weather had an up turn, sunshine was breaking through the clouds. So it's back up to Combe Ghyll, and on arrival alls looking good. So kit packed we are off up the Combe for a brisk half hour walk in.

 Arriving at the crag it's very wet, wet on wet. The low lying rock is running in water, the first pitch is a small water fall in the right hand corner, quick moves here I think.

Topo of corvus, Corvus is route 9.

First pitch complete, belay ledge is a wash in water.

Pitch two is deans lead, up onto a block then a nice ledge to a tricky little chimney move. Super pitch with a great bit of exposure.

Dean nearing the chimney, little tricky with the rucksack on. 

 I meet dean on the stance and we swap over and I am away up pitch three. Out to the right and up a super rib which leads to pitch four, the traverse pitch.

Dean arriving at the long grassy section below the stance, ran this out as there's not much to clip into.

Next pitch is the traverse, super section but don't be fooled. This section is the most talked about but sadley short lived. Dean makes easy moves across on good holds with one piece of kit about midway. 

Across the traverse and right onto the belay stance, quite a short pitch overall.

Last pitch of the day, pitch five.

Great little section with easy moves up onto the top, protection is right in front of you. This was a most enjoyable pitch, to short lived.

Dean arriving at the stance.

Looking out down Combe Ghyll towards Derwentwater and beyond.

Extreme walling, a most precarious piece of wall, two hundred foot drop below. Not sure I'll pick that route, never know might just meet a piece of wall on the way up.

So, picys over its back to the van for venison burgers and heaps of coffee. 

The moral of the story is, it's always worth waiting.