Route Feedback: Alone in Space
Posted by: Roger Everett, 17.07.2022 The abseil tree at the top of the second pitch of Alone in Space, as marked in the guidebook, is no more. It now lies on the path below, complete with abseil slings, having been dislodged perhaps by some sort of mudslide from above.
Interesting looking up at Goat Crag there are lots of areas where vegetation (and probably trees) appears to have fallen off the crag. I presume the tree off Alone in Space (and with Cursing Caterpillar) is one of these marks.
I have only been up Borrowdale 3 times in the last month over the last two year so don’t know if these marks are recent or over a period of time.
Roger (or anyone else) – any thoughts on options there to get down off Alone in Space and effect on other routes ?
Ron, I’m not sure now, perhaps one has to go to the actual top of the route. When I did it last year this looked distinctly uninviting, being very overgrown, which is presumably the reason why the abseil was there in the first place.
This does raise a more general issue of fixed abseil points. In current climbing practice, they are commonplace and appreciated, and they increase traffic on routes. Also better for the vegetation and wildlife. They vary in quality though, from good quality set ups with maillons or equivalent and good quality proper rope, to very sketchy affairs, and in one case a couple of very shiny bolts (now accepted). The problem at the Central Area of Goat, and also DTT and things left of it, is that the top pitches are now very unpleasant and frankly quite dangerous. For DTT, it may be best to recommend finishing up Preying Mantis or Tumbleweed Connection. One option would be to canvas opinions on the installation of good quality abseil anchors at strategic locations. This may increase traffic on the routes, which are falling into disuse because of the encroaching vegetation (which is a shame because the underlying rock is excellent). There’s a similar issue at the lhs of Black Crack (Jubilee Grooves, The Shroud etc), which are excellent climbs badly spoiled by the awful finishes. Strategic abseil points at the top of the climbing would likely increase their popularity, and keep them cleaner.
Of course, this may attract strong opinions, but the practical choice is to do something about it and keep the routes, or just let them disappear.