Route Feedback: Scafell Pinnacle
Posted by: Ken Daykin, 02.09.2022

Re: Scafell and Wasdale 2014. Page 59. Descending from High Man to Jordan Gap.

As in all previous editions the 2014 guidebook states ‘The summit plateau is reached from High Man by descending into Jordan Gap (10m M) etc.

I cannot comment on whether this descent is moderate or not, it certainly doesn’t look it! Because I have always abseiled into the gap. While this down climb might be easily achieved by the confident any slip here would almost certainly have fatal consequences and therefore I think it would be sensible to state in the guidebook that the safest means of descent is by abseil. If liability is of concern the guidebook authors simply need to state that the climber needs to decide for themselves the safety of any slings in place and if in any doubt place one of their own.

This is followed by the traverse around Pisgah to the summit plateau. Again while this is very easy, it does have the odd damp bit and vegetation and the handholds are not as positive as they could be and any slip here would be fatal. It might be a good idea to suggest roping up again for this section and pitching it. This doesn’t cause much delay and does make the whole process much safer.

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