Climb a Route and Pocket a Rab Prize - Round 1: Lesser-Known Grit Classics

2nd July, 2018

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This year Rab have teamed up with four of their athletes to produce lists of lesser-known but highly worthwhile routes from around the UK. In an effort to get people out of their comfort zones and into some less polished, less familiar venues, we are offering prizes to those who go and seek out these less popular lines.

Our first list comes from gritstone connoisseur Tom Randall and rounds up some hidden gems from the UK's most popular climbing destination, The Peak District.

Claiming your prize is simple (in theory). We've hidden three waterproof pockets on three of the routes from Tom's list. Climb the route, retrieve the pocket and you'll find details inside of how to claim your prize.

For those that get there after an even more eager climber has already retrieved the pocket or who find that their chosen route isn't one of those with an accompanying prize pocket, never fear, you can still win a prize. Simply take a photo of yourself on any of the routes from the list and upload it to the 'Rab Routes' UKC galleries. We will pick our favourite entries to receive a prize. Bonus points, as always, for creativity and gurning.

Randall's Routes

1. 'Amazon Crack (HS 4b)' (VS), Burbage - Although this is only a 2 star route, I've always felt it deserved more and really it's just as good as things like 'The File'. As a beginner crack route, it doesn't get much more perfect. Solid jamming and a non-cruxy finish so you can actually enjoy the final moves!

2. 'Silent Spring (E4 5c)' (E4), Burbage South - This is one of those routes that people did a lot in the 1980s and 1990s but now it most likely only receives a single ascent a year... if that. It's an awesome bit of grit with a "big route" feel and you'll struggle to find many grit E4s that are this exposed.

3. 'March Hare (E2 5b)' (E3), Millstone - An unsung classic! I first did this at University when a single pad was a luxury and you'd probably borrowed it off a mate. The climbing is utterly brilliant in its technical nature but if you do opt for just a single pad, be prepared for more of a "route" experience!

4. 'Zapple (HVS 5b)' (HVS), Yarncliffe - If it was at Millstone it'd be very well know and very clean. At present, I'm afraid it's neither! That said, it does offer some excellent jamming and the line is pretty appealing...from the ground at least.

5. 'Oss Nob (E4 6a)' (E4), Froggatt - It looks innocuous, but this sequence of arête moves rewards a positive approach. I can recall more than a few times when I've chickened out on it!

6. 'Hercules (E1 5a)' (E1), Curbar - One of those offwidth cracks in the Peak District that's yet again a bit easier to layback...but that would miss half of the fun, wouldn't it?! Next time you're out, get stuck in and have a good shuffle. You won't regret it.

7. 'Jam and Blast It (HVS 5a)' (HVS), Baslow - A crack that I never knew existed until one evening I found myself underneath it as I explored the crag. It looked like a nice, easy HS, but HVS is definitely more appropriate!

8. 'Nelson's Nemesis (VS 4b)' (VS), Birchen - I had to climb this quite a few times when I was preparing for one of the big 24hr challenge days with Pete and I can honestly say this was one of those routes I always enjoyed no matter how knackered I was!

9. 'Moyer's Buttress (E1 5b)' (E1), Gardoms – Oh my God, what a route! Again, if it was at Stanage or Burbage, it would have queues of people waiting to do it. Fortunately, it's tucked away at the brilliant (and less travelled) Gardoms. Good moves, plenty of problem solving and a decent level of exposure for the E1 leader.

10. 'Get Rich Quick (E5 6b)' (E5), Duke's Quarry - I went here for the first time as the result of a tip off from Peak esoterica lover, Jon Fullwood. He'd cleaned up the hard finger cracks in this section of the quarry and they did not disappoint! Both this and Repo Man are just as good as many of the millstone E5s. If not better...

n.b. the prize pockets will be discreetly placed, will avoid interfering with the climb itself and will be visible only when on/finishing a route. Any unclaimed prize pockets will be removed after the end of August, so there's only a limited time to claim your prize. This will also be the deadline for submitted photos, so hurry up out there and happy hunting!

Subcribe to the ticklist here:

Climb name	Grade	Height		Crag name
Amazon Crack	HS 4b ***	12m		Burbage North
Silent Spring	E4 5c ***	24m	• 2	Burbage South...
March Hare	E2 5b **	14m		Millstone Edge
Zapple	HVS 5b ***	20m		Yarncliffe
Oss Nob	E4 6a *	8m		Froggatt Edge
Hercules	E1 5a *	11m		Curbar Edge
Jam and Blast It	HVS 5a *	9m		Baslow Edge
Nelson's Nemesis	VS 4b ***	16m		Birchen Edge
Moyer's Buttress	E1 5b ***	21m		Gardom's Edge
Get Rich Quick	E5 6b *	?		Duke's Quarry
	17 Es 21 stars	135m, 11 pitches

The Prize

All winners will be offered their choice of size and colour in Rab's freshly updated Torque Jacket.

Constructed using a stretchy double weave fabric with abrasion-absorbing overlays on the hood, elbows and sides, The Torque is a brilliant companion for a multitude of climbing disciplines; from windy gritstone belays to long mountain routes and even alpine climbing.

Learn more about the Torque here: Men's / Women's