by Dave Gill Karma Kings is a relatively short route at Raven Crag, Walthwaite, Langdale. Originally climbed by Dave Birkett in 1998 and described in the FRCC Langdale Guide as “A serious destiny-defining route which accepts the challenge of the studiously-blank east-facing wall”. It is given a grade of E7 6c. On the 19th April, after a brief inspection on a rope, local trad activist 19 year old George Ullrich was on lead. As you can see, there´s a big tree right next to the climb. Some people have been known to put a runner in the tree reducing the grade slightly. George chose not to, and instead used a ´blu-tacced´ sideways swedge and very poor skyhook placement. It´s just above this hook placement where the crux is, and having done that, you´ve still got a massive runout to the top. Pretty bold you could say. More photos at www.steepmedia.blogspot.com In February this year George repeated Impact Day E8/9 6c on Pavey Ark and Dawes Rides a Shovel Head E8 6c on Raven Crag, Langdale George is sponsored by Metolius, Evolv and Prana.
