Fell & Rock Climbing Club

A logical extension to the E1 Variation Girdle Traverse was lead on-sight (P. Archer, M. Bagness 28/09/25). It Is hard to tell whether this is a new line, or the 4c pitch 10 of the VS girdle traverse – the VS pitch is described as ascending to a ledge then descending to the arête before traversing left, whereas we climbed a continually rising traverse to the belay of Forget-Me-Not (visible as the pale line of flakes running across the top of the James/Hutton/Rockfax photo of Forget-Me-Not). If the pitch we climbed is part of the VS then it is rather a sandbag – it is fairly bold E1 5a/b climbing and would fit better fit as the penultimate pitch of the E1 (with the currently described E1 finish – up White Ghyll Chimney – being the VS finish!).
Description – from the block belay on Haste Not – make a rising traverse across the slabs, vegetated at first, heading for a sloping ledge and cleaner rock. Continue up and left along a vague ramp line via delicate moves (bold for leader and second) then continue horizontally left to a good spike and the Forget-Me-Not belay.