Pilar and I climbing the Esoteric classic Skeleton Ridge. Its not technically hard but you wont find a more exposed ridge in the British Isles. Plus its on chalk!
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| Walking in with 140m of rope |
An arduous approach down a huge collapsing chalk cliff combined with the logistics of climbing a tidal sea cliff on the Isle of Wight add to the commitment of this unique climbing experience..
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| Pilar passing the knot |
It was blowing a gale on our ascent -the perfect weather for an exposed sea cliff! The route isn’t that long but is climbed in 6 short pitches….
Pitch 1…Decent rock(for chalk). Not much gear. Climbing straight out of the sea. Face climbing to get on to the ridge proper
Pitch 2….Easy scrambling round the side of the ridge
Pitch 3…. The crux, a wildly exposed short tower. Take care. Some rusty pegs as protection
Pitch 4…A similar pitch. Exposed but short and not technically difficult.
Pitch 5…A scramble essentially over worryingly loose looking blocks. Amazed if this doesn’t change every year.
Pitch 6…Another steep exposed tower positions the climber on the most insane knife edged fin with masses of exposure that is best pushed to the back of you mind as you edge towards safety. Slide delicately long the knife edge before collapsing on dry land with a large grin on your face. Belay on the posts of the Old Battery lookout (60m rope needed).
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 | | Scratchels bay |
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 | | Time to roll the trousers up. This is as low as the tide goes |
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 | | Belaying barefoot |
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 | | Me perched on the fin |
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 | | Pitch 5. Very loose ground |
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 | | Rusty old pegs |
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A near epic nearly ensued as Pilar undertook the final knife edge. Established on the fin of rock, 100m drop on either side, she tried to negotiate the perched block sat precariously on the edge. This proved difficult and she was forced to climb around it to one side. Suddenly the whole block with Pilar sat on it came off. Violently she was sent tumbling down the left-hand face (the less steep side) only to come to rest 6m lower and below the belay. Stopped by a piece of flint that she had wisely tied a clove hitched sling round. Battered and bruised she scrambled back to the belay. This was a staggering near miss! With some bruising and grazes she composed herself and politely asked I lead this pitch.
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 | | Pilar on the final arete before the drama! |
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 | | Belay from the battery |
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Pilar inching along - Shaken from her ordeal
but very calm. Rock scar behind
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With the coast guard now informed that we were safe (tourists had witnessed the incident on the final pitch from the battery and had raised the alarm) we reflected on our experience over a tea and cake.
