Hangar 18's week in Wasdale

A break in the bad weather last week meant that the Hangar 18 team got a week in the sun. A great opportunity to test gear, chill out and have a laugh in the Lake District, more specifically the valley of Wasdale. On the agenda; fell Running, walking, bouldering and of course testing the local ales all whilst wearing various items from the Hangar 18 range and testing them to destruction - if we can!

During the week we visited a number of boulder spots the first being the Stirrup Boulders, a rather exposed crag located halfway up a scree slope, made all the ominous by the Mountain Rescue doing a spot of training in the valley.

Thankfully the teams second outing, to the Eskdale Fisherground in the nearby Eskdale Valley turned out to be a much more relaxed affair. The crag is known to be an easily accessible boulder spot located in a tranquil setting which has a great picnic feel, and it turned out the be just that! The crew had a great day climbing with some out of season sunbathing in between. We took a few videos of Sam and Steph climbing but taking advantage of the great conditions meant we only filmed two routes. See the short video below to see a glimpse of our day.

Stu and Sam checking out the guidebook - not a posed photo... honest!

We also paid a visit to the Overbeck Boulder. A great anomaly set on the shores of Wastwater, with stunning Yewbarrow supplying the backdrop. The boulder features ten main problems providing an enjoyable afternoon for our climbers. Although some of the routes were more like highball or solos than boulders but scary top outs are a little bit more pleasant when the sun is shining!

Climbing the Overbeck Arete, a scary boulder problem.

Taking a ‘rest day’ a few members of the team decided to make their way up Scafell Pike for a ‘winter’ ascent. The steady hike was made all the more enjoyable by the gorgeous weather, and all the more thrilling by the snowy summit. After a lonely walk up to Lingmell Col we were suddenly in a frenzy of walkers and runners. Approaching the top we stopped and watched two fell runners making their way down the ice from the summit, their faces afterwards were that of mad mountain men thoroughly enjoying something few people would understand. 

Stephanie descending from the summit of Scafell Pike, fantastic conditions. 

During the week, the runners of the Hangar 18 team visited Middlefell Kirk Fell and Seatallan. The photo below, taken by Stu, shows the Scafell range from the summit of middle fell with its snowy summit centered.

Overlooking Scafell and neighbouring peaks.

After a leisurely walk back down in the gleaming sun the team headed to the Wasdale Head Inn for a much deserved ale or two sitting amongst years of walking and climbing history before heading back to the base for the week, a small cottage located next-door to the new Achille Ratti climbing hut.

Our cottage to the left, Achille Ratti club hut to the right.

During the week we wore atleast one item from the whole range of Hangar 18, kept warm on Scafell Summit with the down vests, moved freely across the boulders with the boulder pants and managed to stay well footed on the way back from the pub with our prototype approach shoes – look out for these appearing soon!

A great shot of the scree slopes glowing red in the evening light.

Stephanie Roberts March 2014