In reply to Jayson Keable:
> Though I can't understand why he would have hiked a long way into Scafell for only one route and while he was at Shepherds, he missed out The Bludgeon. Odd.
from the blog
"CB was the biggest route on the list and in its own way the most intimidating. The 1st ascent of this in 1914 was visionary with the kit they had. Leaving Sansoms shoulders to grovel up the crack before bringing Holland up was some feat which dad would speak of in his lectures in the Moot Hall in Keswick. Mabel Barkers and Menloves efforts were incredible also.
It was the centenary of the 1st ascent this year and I’d read a great deal about the 1st World War and what was ‘involved’. Herford died in it in 1916 at the age of 25. His essay ‘The Doctrine of Descent’ is a brilliant piece of writing concerning mountain climbing.
Starting on CB felt like paying respects and the story and tragedy related to the climb was like fuel."
Amazing effort from James and a lovely understated bit of writing to go with it.