How to scramble Jack's Rake
Jack’s Rake is a popular Grade 1 scramble in the Lake District – but it’s by no means an easy proposition. We look at the skills you’ll need to tackle this classic route.
Slicing across the face of Pavey Ark in the Langdale Pikes, Jack’s Rake is one of the Lake District’s most tempting little scrambles. It’s so fabulously accessible – just a short trot up Stickle Ghyll from the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel – and so enticingly visible from the main path. Then there’s that grade one designation, which lures unwary hill walkers into believing that they can shin up it easily with nary a care in the world. No wonder, says Joe Harrop of Lakes-based guiding company Highpoint Mountain Guides, that the Rake is an accident black spot.
“It catches a lot of people out, and it’s taken a few lives over the years,” he explains. “People assume it’s going to be easy because it’s a grade one, but it’s steep, it can be wet, and some of the holds can be polished which makes it very slippery.”
Should its fearsome reputation stop you from taking the Rake on? Of course not! But read our guide first to make sure you go prepared.
Know the risks
Unlike some other Grade 1 scrambles, the rock on Jack’s Rake is notoriously unreliable. This natural crumbliness combined with the route’s popularity is a recipe for misadventure.
“Jack’s Rake is often busy,” says Joe. “People tend to bunch up at the bottom and follow each other up nose-to-tail, so if the person in front is having a mare then you’re pushed onto loose, wet rock waiting for them to move.”
He recommends donning a helmet and giving the group in front of you a ten to fifteen-minute start. Once on the route, test constantly for loose rock and watch out for slippery sections. “It’s wet most of the year, even in the height of summer,” Joe adds. “The poor quality of the rock also means that it’s essential to check all holds before you weight them. Give the hold a good bang – if it sounds hollow then don’t use it.”
Watch and learn
The first hurdle facing would-be scramblers is finding the start of the Rake. It looks blindingly obvious from the other side Stickle Tarn, but you’ll need to keep a weather eye on the entrance as you make your way around the lake to avoid losing it.
“Once you get round to the back of the lake the route obviously disappears, and this catches a few people out,” says Joe. “Spot the entrance as you arrive at Stickle Tarn and keep it in your sights as you walk round. There’s a scree-cum-rock scramble up to the start, which begins at the bottom corner of Pavey Ark next to a large gully called Easy Gully. The first 75 yards, ending at a prominent rowan tree, is one of the trickiest sections you’ll encounter, and is quite often both wet and slippery so watch your step.”
Climb when ready
Newbie scramblers beware: despite its lowly grading, Jack’s Rake does require some basic climbing skills. The most technical section – a short but steep and narrow chimney – will ambush you soon after the rowan tree.
“This chimney requires an awkward bridging move,” explains Joe. “It’s very polished and can be wet, but it gives the climber a feeling of safety because you’re in a groove away from the worst of the exposure.”
Whatever you do, he says, don’t be tempted to drift out to the left here.
“People try to avoid the bridging move by climbing out of the gully to the left-hand rib and skirting across the side of it. Then they find themselves on an 18-inch-wide section of damp grass, which could easily collapse beneath their feet. This is where many fatal accidents on Jack’s Rake occur.”
Keep to the main gully, avoiding the narrow grassy ledges to the left, and tackle the trickier climbing moves head-on.
Feeling groovy
After the chimney, the views down over Great Langdale become increasingly spectacular as the exposure ramps up. The climbing is easier, but it progresses up a series of intermittent block and grooves which are linked by vertiginous ledges.
“Less experienced scramblers might come out of the chimney and find the exposure a bit nerve-wracking,” Joe says. “There are several grassy ledges where you really have to keep your weight against the rock, and it can be intimidating for those who don’t have a natural head for heights.”
Reduce the risk of a heart-in-mouth moment here, he advises, by choosing a decent day for your excursion. “I would avoid go up the Rake if the weather isn’t good. Because it’s high the clouds can drop quite quickly, and it can be quite a forbidding place when you’re swirling around in wet cloud. People have been known to get nervous and scared, and that’s when mistakes happen.”
Similarly, the Rake can be a treacherous beast in winter. “It can be an absolute mare in winter conditions,” adds Joe. “The wet turns to ice, which makes it out of bounds to all but very experienced scramblers.”
Still, don’t let yourself be deterred by the difficulties. It might require a head for heights and a sensible approach to the scrambling, but catch Jack’s Rake on a good day and it’s one of the most thrilling scrambles in the Lakes
Related Content
Mynydda Dysgwch Sgiliau
Scrambling in winter is a step up in every way: here are some tips from the pros for getting it right.
Mountaineering Destinations
Now is the prime time to plan your winter adventures. To help you explore the British mountains over winter, we have chosen six stunning winter ridges to guarantee a grand day out.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Hillwalking Destinations
Glen Coe's Aonach Eagach ridge is the most legendary Grade 2 scramble in Scotland. Do you have the skills to take it on?
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Here's what you need to think about when moving together for scrambling and climbing
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Scrambling is sometimes described as the middle ground between walking and climbing - and for the higher grades in particular, you’ll need some basic climbing skills. Here's our guide to staying safe on the rock.
Rock Destinations
Here are five of the best places to go for a weekend of nerve-testing scrambling.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
Are you a hill walker wanting to tackle steeper terrain, but nervous about heights? Don’t panic – there are steps you can take to fight the fear.
Dringo Creigiau Dysgwch Sgiliau
What are the different types of climbing and mountaineering and what do they involve?
Mountaineering Destinations
In 2014, Swiss super-alpinist Ueli Steck flew into Scotland for an under-the-radar mixed climbing hit with British alpinist and photographer Jon Griffith. Sarah Stirling tracked him down to find out just what he thought of our Scottish winter climbing, whether he’ll be back and what he’s got planned next.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
The know-how, top tips and gear you'll need for scrambling safely.
Mountaineering Destinations
What's the best 4,000m peak in the Alps for beginners? We asked five British Mountain Guides who are based in the Alps this question - Tim Blakemore, Jon Bracey, Matt Helliker, Andy Perkins and Tania Noakes. All of them picked a peak in Switzerland - testament to the concentration of excellent peaks of that altitude there.
Hill Walking Articles
Having a duvet day or a quiet night in? We've got you covered. There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel.
Hillwalking Destinations
Watch five great walks in the Lake District, including family inspiration, lesser-known routes to popular summits and dog-friendly fell walking.
Join us as we explore five breathtaking walks on the UK's national trails with YHA (England & Wales) as part of the YHA Festival of Walking.
Mountaineering Articles
Where are you currently getting your mountain inspiration from? Are the walls in your house lined with photos and paintings of stunning peaks? Your social media feeds endlessly presenting you with trails and skylines to add to the list of high places to explore? We're here to add to that by giving you five more films to keep your inspiration levels up. Enjoy the watch.
For most people, walking all the Wainwrights is a challenge spread over many, many years. But James Forrest decided he wanted to up the ante, turn it right up to 11, go all out and walk them all in one outing and entirely self-supported. Is he mad or magnificent? You decide.
Go walking at your own pace and download free maps and route guides for walks from YHA hostels across England and Wales.
Ideas and inspiration for your next walk, including National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Scrambling Skills
Scrambling takes the joy of hiking to more thrilling levels. Scrambles can be difficult and serious. Here is some great insight to help you understand scrambling grades and the effort the require.
Hillwalking Destinations
Short and sharp, or long and steep; there's no room for messing about here. You'll have to keep a cool head and a strong grip, as we bring you Britain’s top six spicy scrambles.
Hillwalking Destinations
A stunning Grade 1 scramble in Eryri (Snowdonia) that most people have never even heard of? It sounds too good to be true - but the Llech Ddu Spur really does live up to its billing. Here’s what you need to know to take on this secret Carneddau classic.
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
If you’re keen to make the transition from hill walker to scrambler, we set out the basics to get you started:
Hillwalking Destinations
Find out everything you need to know about making the leap from walking to scrambling, learn the essential skills and check out our top five UK scrambles.
Hillwalking Destinations
Take on one of the Lake District’s most famous Grade 1 scrambles with our guide to tackling Sharp Edge.
Hillwalking Destinations
Fancy having a crack at mainland Britain’s most legendary Grade 3 ridge scramble? Here’s the lowdown on this classic route.
Hillwalking Destinations
Mind-boggling views, thrilling exposure and an alpine feel make this Lake District classic the perfect introduction to grade 3 scrambling.
Mountaineering Destinations
Skye’s Cuillin Ridge is the Holy Grail of British scrambling. Are you ready for the challenge?
Cerdded Bryniau Dysgwch Sgiliau
This thrilling Grade 1 scramble in Eryri (Snowdonia) is one of the country’s most popular ridges - so what does it take to tackle Crib Goch?
Rock Destinations
The most famous route up Tryfan is the North Ridge: a long and thrilling grade one scramble that makes a perfect introduction to the sport. We take a look at how to tackle it.
Hillwalking Destinations
Great Gable’s most famous ridge climb makes for an epic day out - particularly if you’re brave enough to tackle Napes Needle itself as part of the ascent…
Hillwalking Destinations
Striding Edge is a classic Grade 1 scramble in the Lake District - and if you’re looking to make your first foray into scrambling territory then it’s the perfect place to start. Here, we take a look at the know-how you’ll need to tackle this epic mountain day.