A Great Activity In The English Lake District - Scrambling

Many see scrambling as a mountain adventure like rock climbing - and, yes, it is exciting, but if done properly it provides loads of excitement with none of the risk. The Lake District offers many fine scrambles, including the most famous of all - Jack's Rake. If you're of average fitness, and with a stout heart, this is scramble well worth attempting.

But let's start by answering the fundamental question of all would-be scramblers. How do you define scrambling? It's a pastime somewhere between steep walking and rock climbing. It's not really climbing, but it certainly isn't hill-walking (known as fell walking in this part of the world). You'll always need your hands to hold on - together with your feet and any other spare part of your anatomy!

If you want something more exciting than fell-walking, scrambling is an exciting step upwards which will add huge interest to a day out. And for rock climbers, a day spent scrambling is a great rest-day alternative.

But what may appeal to you most is the chance to get off the beaten track. Scrambling usually takes place off conventional trails and footpaths, so even on the busiest days you have the chance of solitude.

The Lake District has many varied scrambles, ranging from steep ridges and buttresses to water-filled ghylls and ravines. There are many guide books available which take you through the classic and more challenging routes. They are graded from 1 to 4 - if you're a beginner, you'll want to start with Grade 1, the easiest.

Although the easiest scrambles are well within a fit walker's capacity, unroped scrambling in exposed situations can present some risks. If you want to try it, make sure that you are well-briefed, and ensure the weather is suitable - wet rock in particular can be very dangerous.

To learn more about scrambling contact the British Mountaineering Council on 0870 010 4878 or visit www.thebmc.co.uk

And so - you've decided you want to try it: where to go first? Jack's Rake in the Langdale Pikes is a classic scramble, well known to generations of walkers.

You start in Langdale from the Stickle Ghyll car park, and ascend up to Stickle Tarn in one not-so-difficult ascent. This gives you the chance to survey the Rake, a diagonal traverse of the face of the crag opposite you. The cut of Jack's Rake makes its way from the bottom right to top left of Pavey Ark - and it's easy to see. Now's the time to rethink your plan for the day if your nerve gives way!

The exposed areas can be seen clearly. If you decide to go ahead, walk around the tarn to the foot of Jack's Rake and look up the crevice in the rock. The first feature point is a sole Rowan tree about a hundred yards ahead - beyond that, it's easier to go on rather than turn around.

For most of the ascent you climb inside a rock groove. which makes this feel very safe for beginners. Although there are tight spots the rock channel offers comforting protection from exposure to the drop down to the tarn. However, bear in mind that there are some very exposed sections later on!

After you've passed the Rowan tree, there's a small flat piece of ground with no edge protection - perfect for viewing the scenery! The path is wide, but step off and you're going to be falling off the cliff and down to the tarn. Be very careful where you tread!

The next stage of the climb has a few scary moments - mostly involving smooth rock which is slippery when wet, or tight crevasses which you cannot squeeze through, and so must traverse on the edge of the rock face. And near the final ascent comes the most exposed bit of Jack's Rake: a sharp turn to the right to gain the summit, with a sheer drop below you to the left. Like so many frightening situations, it's better if you don't stop to think, grasp your handholds firmly, and haul yourself up.

Finishing the scramble is a moment of triumph, and if you're a novice Lake District Scrambler it will give you fantastic memories for years to come!