Topping out of a North Facing High Mountain Crag
I know how to keep myself safe in cold weather, but what the heck do you do when it's scorchio!
Well this has been my answer to the scorchio problem for several decades.
By far the most memorable days I have ever had in the mountains are when I have combined the walking and climbing disaplines (Both winter and summer)
A usefull bi-product of glaciation means 99% of high mountain crags are north facing which is great for sustained hot spells like we are having now. (and of course winter)
I have never really like flogging up hills in the full heat of the day so on a climbing day we always try to get an early start, making driving and parking easier + its COOL on the walk in. (win, win, win)
We tend to walk up to the high mountain crags like Scafell, Gable, Clogwyn d'ud Arddu, Craig y Isfa etc in shorts and running vest. Because of the altitude and shadowy aspect of high crags they tend to be cool so we leave of walking in gear in the sun to dry off and change into WARMER clothes for the climbing session. Changing back into the COOLER, now dry shorts and running vest to walk down in the COOL of the evening and pub time.
My advice to anyone is forgget about flogging up hills in the heat of the day, learn the set of climbing skills once you gain competancy it adds several dimensions to mountain day experiences..................(win, win, win, win, win, win).