Day 1 of a two day stay in the Lakes. I arrived at the Honister Pass Youth Hostel around 10 AM , sorted out my kit and then I was away at about 10.20.
Weather – Hot and Sunny with a light breeze. Followed the path at the back of the Slate mine car park up to Haystacks. Not too much of a height gain to get to Haystacks summit as Honister Pass is at 356 m….so a nice easy start to the day. As Wainwright describes this is a beautiful fell. Two mountains tarns at the base of it and a small one at the summit. I sat next to this one and ate my lunch…glorious sunshine , a little breeze, great views…I am on happy bunny !!. However, the rest of the walk was somewhat more strenuous.
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| Blackbeck Tarn |
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| Haystacks summit tarn |
If there is a path down from Haystacks to Scarth Gap Pass, I couldn’t see it, so I scrambled down, and faced with the daunting view of the climb up to High Crag – I must admit at that point and in that heat I nearly bottled it – got the map out and looked to see what alternatives I had – maybe a walk down the valley to Ennerdale. I then reminded myself that these opportunities don’t come that often so once I had negotiated the smaller fell of Seat off I set up the zig zag path to the top of High Crag. Once I got going it didn’t seem too bad, but I realised I had made a big mistake with the amount of water I had brought…only a litre in this heat…idiot.
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| High Crag looks a bit....well high from this angle |
Once on High Crag Summit you are rewarded (as usual in the Lakes) with spectacular views all around Buttermere , Robinson, Fleetwith Pike, the Scafell Range, Pillar…brilliant.
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| Buttermere from the ridge |
The walk along the ridge to High Stile and then Red Pike was fantastic. I had made the decision that I would drop down to Buttermere and head back that way rather than return via the route out. The descent from Red Pike to Bleaberry Tarn was steep (and scary) The red clay / shale was very loose, and I was glad I had one walking pole with me. I ended up on my backside several times, but got down safely. Bleaberry Tarn is a beautiful and peaceful spot…a good place to catch my breath and enjoy the view.
The zig zag path down the valley side eventually came out at the West end of Buttermere. By the time I got there all my water was gone. I didn’t realise how bad real thirst is (cracked lips, dry throat etc). I won’t make this mistake again. The highlight of the walk around Buttermere was a red Squirrel. I got pretty close to it , but the pic I took didn’t come out. From Gatescarth I took the long slog up the Honister pass to the YH. I didn’t have anything left in the legs to do it via Fleetwith Pike.
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| Bleaberry Tarn |
Apart from the thirst, a spectacular walk.
Around 13-14 miles
OS OL 4 Lakes North Western
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