I last climbed Jack's Rake back in March 2011 and even though I had been walking the Lakeland Fells for a few years I was still a newbie to the climbing scene, For me Jack's Rake is right up there with my ascent on Pillar Rock followed by my subsequent abseil into Jordan Gap. There's nothing else can touch it.

If anyone were to ask what was the most adrenalin fueled moment I've spent In Lakeland I'd probably answer with my first ascent on Jack's Rake for no matter how prepared you are the exposure can come as a knee trembling shock, it happened to me but then the adrenalin had already took over, on reaching the summit of Pavey Ark emotions ran high with a mix of achievement as the adrenalin drained from me leaving me giggling like a school boy, there was no need to climb Jack's Rake again because nothing comes close to your first experience.

I'm probably going back as far as the beginning of the year when Tim suggested we do the climb again, well, I was all up for a second ascent but if you were to ask me to my face, it might have given you a different reaction for Jack's Rake was on the edge of my capabilities, or so I thought.

Come prepared, know what is about to hit you hand on heart, my second attempt on Jack's Rake was nowhere near as daunting.

Tim arrived close to 08:00am and we greet with a proper man hug! It's been over thirteen months since we last walked together and although we regularly keep in touch via text and email there's nowt like seeing an old mate in the flesh. Gear today is kept to a minimum with only the essentials packed most of the weight being taken up by hydration of which I'm carrying 2.5ltrs topped off with four satsumas which I stuff into my packs side pockets. With Tim ready we make our way back to the rear of Stickle Barn from where we pick up the path alongside Stickle Ghyll, it isn't 8.30am yet and the temperature is rising towards the early twenties already, it's going to be another hot one.

Just in case you were wondering that's the summit of Harrison Stickle peeping out with Tarn Crag over towards the right.

Conversation never broke as we rose steadily alongside Stickle Ghyll, normally the ascent would be accompanied by the sound of the water cascading downwards towards the valley but today, barley a trickle. I by now am pumping in sweat so much so it's pouring down my face, I glance over at Tim whose face doesn't show a bead.

Tim, your not working hard enough mate!

We crossed Stickle Ghyll at the familiar point soon after passing three guys making their own ascent, we didn't know it yet but one of the chaps was a guide who smiled as I passed "alright" he asked hot, hot, hot I replied. Having chosen to ascend to the left of Stickle Ghyll by the time we reached Stickle Tarn we tracked back across the dam wall towards the outflow if only to feast our eyes on Pavey Ark and of course Jack's Rake.

Having spotted the three walkers round the Tarn from the right we knew we'd have company, the good news was we had a good ten minutes on them, the bad news, bang went our composure time before the ascent started. I de-shouldered and packed my walking poles away, took another gulp of water shortly followed by "shall we go for it"

This image shows Tim scrambling the rock from the base as we head towards the first Rowan Tree (seen at the top of the previous two images) You can see the three walkers below at the base of the Rake, they have just arrived and also de-shoulder. Seeing the walkers take their packs off really took the pressure off our ascent, and, still unbeknown to us we are unaware that one of them is a climbing guide, this I thought showed great leadership.

Tim uttered the words "thats the worst of it behind us" and technically he was right, but in terms of exposure this ledge screamed of it. Back in March 2011 I had a genuine leg wobble here.

Beyond the ledge a short, but total exposed scramble awaits, whatever you do here keep right and do not be tempted to drift left.

With the Coniston Fells in the distance.

With the trio back in earshot we re-shouldered and just as we were about to leave the guide closely followed by his two students emerged onto The Platform "well done guys stay right close to those rocks" those words for me gave him away as their guide. We spoke briefly on how well the climb had gone for us before setting off on the final leg which comprises of a grassy terrace which negotiates around the head of Great Gully before the final scramble onto the summit plateau.

On shouldering the summit the first thing we saw was the summit stone wall. From here we head right over boulder towards Pavey Ark summit.

We hadn't been at the summit of Thunacar Knott long when three more fell runners arrived from the direction of High Raise, after a quick Hi they were off and didn't appear to be part of the same masses who by now were about to swarm Harrison Combe.

We descend via a grassy path skirting the Combe finding it still a little marshy around edges.

Loft Crag, shortly followed by Harrison Stickle will complete todays round not before crossing the head of the South Gully which divides Pike O'Stickle from Loft Crag, this steep scree gully is the site of a cave from which many a "rejected" stone axes had been found from the early inhabitants of Lakeland.

Our original plan was to descend the south scree gully up until I started to have the problem with my foot which I don't really want to make any worse by the arduous descent, but that's not to say I won't return one day.

For reasons unknown we spent less time on Loft Crag than we had at any other previous summit, I think it had something to do with the words lunch, followed by Harrison Stickle may of had something to do with it.

We descend by passing the cairn and follow a stone path back into Harrison Combe.

Having descended into Harrison Combe we made a pathless traverse to the large stone cairn at the other side of the Combe, going was a little wet underfoot in places but predominantly dry which was very unusual for this area even through the Summer months. It was a take your time kind of ascent on Harrison Stickle hitting hot spots of air which just seemed to stop us in our tracks yet on reaching the shoulder we were greeted by a cooling summit wind which spurned us onto the summit cairn.

It's time to break out lunch as we feast over our view of Pavey Ark and Jack's Rake which by now is looking considerably busier.

Having descended back into Great Langdale we reached the area behind the hotel and without thinking headed for the beer garden which was around half full of people eating and drinking and generally enjoying the hot weather. I went over to a table and deliberately sat with my back against the wall if only to spare anyone my T-shirt which by now is wet through in my own sweat. My pack and poles are placed on the wall and soon Tim emerges from the bar with two pints of chilled Wainwright ale.

I reckon we could have necked the whole lot in one go but instead we savour the moment whilst sharing our thoughts on a walk that seven years ago I said I'd never attempt again.