Langdale Pikes 25th August 2013

Up at 4 AM and off to the Lakes again.

 

I wanted to do some of the peaks that I missed on my last visit. Parked at the National Trust car park next to the Stickle Barn pub.

 

Weather – clear , sunny with a light breeze. Perfect walking weather.

 

The last time I had ascended the path alongside Stickle Ghyll, but hadn’t got as far as Stickle Tarn.  This time (with fresh legs) I as soon at Stickle Tarn dominated by Pavey Ark. I followed the path around the tarn towards the North end of Pavey Ark, and took (I think) the North Gully, which was a steep gully with the occasional scramble the top.  Great feeling to get to the summit after the last aborted attempt.

Stickle Ghyll

Stickle Tarn

 

This was my first time in this area and although the footpaths are clearly marked on the map it wasn’t too clear and it took me some time to get my bearings so I was headed for High Raise via Thunacar Knott. Thunacar Knott was really just the high ground on the plateau marked by a couple of cairns – not sure why it is considered a fell in its own right. Once on this summit a mist descended limiting visibility. It was quite strange as there was clear blue sky above me. Fortunately, the mist soon cleared and I could see the cairned path leading of the summit towards High Raise.

 

High Raise Summit

I followed the path which dropped down to a boggy dip before gradually climbing up again. I missed the main path and ended up on what was not much more than a sheep track headed towards Sergeant Man. I backtracked and picked up the correct path up to High Raise. I was soon there on the wide summit where I stopped for a bite to eat and a drink. Unfortunately, the views were not very good due to the haze. I could just make out Bowfell and Crinkle Craggs.

 

From High Raise , I retraced the path back towards Thunacar Knott. Not sure where the path went as I seemed to end up nearer to Pavey ark, with Harrison Stickle in view (my next target). The path dipped down to a small hause, and then steeply (but not for long) up to the summit of Harrison Stickle. There were lots of folk on this summit as it was now around 1.30 in the afternoon. The views form the top were starting to improve as the haze was lifting.

 

I then realised what a daunting prospect Pike O Stickle appeared – a great dome shaped fell with steep sides a short distance away across the valley at the top of Dungeon Ghyll. I set of and was soon at the foot of Pike O Stickle where the ascent started with a clearly defined stepped path climbing steeply up the fell. As this wound around the side of the hill the path stopped abruptly and I was then faced with a steep scramble. I made a start and got about thirty feet up but began to worry how I would get down.  Couple who had arrived just after me took one look ad decided it wasn’t for them. I also decide, as I was solo that  I could got into trouble coming down, so decided to go no further.

 

View from Harrison Stickle summit

Pike O Stickle

The walk along the ridge to Loft Cragg was quite easy with the one problem of millions of flying ants just hatched out on the summit. I had been warned by a group on their way down, but being so close I had to visit the summit…..for all of 10 seconds before I was eaten alive!!

 

The path down to Great Langdale form Loft Cragg was steep but well defined, so I just had to take it easy (especially after battering my big toes and the descent from Grisdale Pike). I tried the first part of the descent in sandals which I had packed in my rucksack to try out. This helped my feet cool down a bit , but as the path got even steeper I put my boots back on.

 

A fabulous walk with dramatic views (when the haze cleared). Yet another beautiful corner of the Lake District.

 

About 6.5 miles , and 2500 ft of ascent.

OS OL 6

3rd August Dove Dale - Wolfescote Dale

This was a re-run of the walk I did a couple of years ago. Fantastic walk with lots of variety on an intermittent sunny / cloudy day.

Parked at the cheap car park(£1.50) before you get to Dove Dale car park.

The Route was :-
Dove Dale - Hall dale - Stanshope - Alstonfield - Narrowdale - Wolscote Dale - Mill Dale - Dove Dale.

Note for next time :- At Alstonfield take the Hulme end / Hartington Road, and the footpath to take is the first signposted one on the right. The map suggests that there are two footpaths before then (there may be , but they aren't signposted)

Hall Dale

I had the same problem as last time at the derelict farm at the foot of Narrowdale Hill. I just checked my previous post - the wasn't Field House Farm - it isn't named on the map. The footpaths named on the path to the right the main path are not there, so navigation isn't that clear.
To get to the main path to Hartington/ Wolscote Dale - Head along the footpath out of the farm (do not turn immediate left) after about thirty yards take the footpath to the right. This is OK for a couple of fields and then just disappears. From a cowshed keep heading in roughly the same line from where the footpath disappears. In the corner of the field there is a rusty gate . Climb over that and then the main path is about 20 yards on.

Brilliant walk - about 13 miles OS OL24

27th July Coombs Valley Nature reserve

We had just had a drive out to the Roaches, but as it was mid - day we couldn't find anywhere to park. We stopped at Tittesworth Resevoir for lunch at the visitor centre on the way back.

Coombs Valley nature reserve is of the A52 between Leek and Ashborne. It is a RSPB site with three waymarked walks through old and new woods and meadows. We had a lovely walk on a hot Saturday afternoon. Anne is still recovering from her broken ankle so she used walking poles. This proved to be a good decision as there were quite a few ups and downs on the walk.

 

About 3 miles OS OL24

Saturday 6th July Upper derwent Valley

Weather forecast was for it to be hot, so I set off early and managed to get parked at the free car park next to Fairholmes.

The first part of the walk was flat and easy, taking in the dams on the Upper Derwent and Howden reservoirs. After Howden reservoir takes a left fork there is a footpath that turns of before the path around the reservoir takes a hairpin. From there a well defined path climbs steeply through the woods before emerging onto Birchinlee Moor /Pasture). The path then continues upwards (not quite as  steep) past some grouse butts and with superb view across to Derwent edge on one side and the edge of Bleaklow to the right.  eventually the path hits a right hand turn along the edge overlooking allport Castles.

I met a fellow walker at this point who wanted directions. He had never done this walk before and was on a planning mission for his walking group. I am getting better at this stuff and knew where he had gone wrong - he needed the path down the hillside to Allport farm - a walk I had done in reverse a couple of years ago.

From here I just followed the path along the ridge with fantastic views all around. Eventually, the path reached a crossroads and one of the choices was a concessionary path through the woods back down to Fairholmes and my car.

Terrific walk with easy navigation. 

About 8 miles OS OL1 Dark Peak

Shipley Park - Four Lakes 30th June

Another ramble around Shipley Park to avoid jumping in the car.

This time I set of down Old Pit Lane an di the full circuit taking in all 4 lakes - the fishing lake near the visitors centre, Osbornes Pond , Shipley Lake and Mapperley Reservoir.

A lovely day - about 7 Miles

Sunday 23rd June Stickle Gyll

Stayed overnight in Grasmere. The plan was to meet up with my cousin and his walking group and do a walk around Great Langdale. However, I screwed up the RV, which was then not helped by the lack of any mobile reception, so didn’t get to meet him.

In the end I parked at the NT car park at Great Langdale and walked of towards Elterwater in the hope of intercepting him. After 90 minutes it was clear it wasn’t going to happen , so I decided to set off up Stickle Gyll. The original plan had been Pavey Ark and then across to the Langdale Pikes and back down to Great Langdale, but on the basis of my aching muscles from yesterday , the rain and the wind and not wanting another solo walk , I settled for a walk up to the top of the falls (didn’t get as far as Stickle Tarn) and then back down again. It is a beautiful and spectacular gorge (from the bottom and the top)

About 5 miles (including the valley walk looking for my cousin)

Ascent : 1,177 ft

OS OL 6

Saturday 22nd June – Grasmere Round

Weekend away in the Lakes. Unfortunately , the (accurate) weather forecast was for wind and persistent showers. I am not a big fan for walking in waterproofs, especially in summer.

I have never been to Grasmere before so this area of the Lakes is new to me. Took me a while in the car to figure out where to park and where to pick up the path out of Grasmere.

In the end I parked at the pay and display just out side the centre of the village and then walked down through the village to Easedale Road. After just over half a mile I took the right hand turn just after Goody Bridge. This is a beautiful country lane with Helm Crag on one side and Seat Sandal , Dollywagon Pike towering to the other side.


on the way to Steel Fell. Seat Sandal on the horizon

 After just over a mile the road becomes a footpath at Helm side, and this is where I made my navigation error (after reviewing what happened). I headed on the obvious footpath down to Green burn which is a beautiful fast flowing river / gyll with small waterfalls. I headed along this path looking for the footpath up to Steel Fell. I couldn’t find it and in the end I started on up the side of the fell. Fairly soon I had to make a decision – head straight for the summit which looked quite steep near the top or bear right and head for the ridge which I should have been on. I chose the latter and was soon wading through a steep slope covered in bracken. Bloody hell....that was hard work. At last I got to the ridge and headed on for the summit....wet and exhausted. From there great view back to Grasmere and my return route, Seat Sandal and Thirlmere.

As Wainwright correctly describes it the path across from Steel Fell to Calf Crag is very boggy and swampy, so I added wet feet to the rest of wet me ! The views down to Green Burn valley and Grasmere were (as usual in the Lakes) stunning. Eventually , after a tiring journey across, with lots of zig zagging to avoid the really wet bits I got to Calf Crag, and had the added fantastic view of Grasmere common to the right. The path then was an undulating one sometimes dropping slightly from the high ground over to Gibsons Knott. It is not really a ridge path that I was expecting but an up and down path along high ground. The showers kept whipping in from the East – quite spectacular to watch as the came in across the valleys – at one point by the time it hit me the rain was horizontal.

                                                The return ridge with Helm Crag a the end

                                                       Looking back down to Grasmere


The path up to Helm Crag was a good one finishing in some steps up to the summit. The summit is an interesting place with the rocky outcrops of the howitzer and the ‘Lion and the Lamb’, with great views all around.

                                                Middle of June ....are you having a laugh

                                                  Path up to Helm Crag

The Howitzer

 

 

 

As this is such a popular Fell the path down to Grasmere is well defined and maintained.

Really enjoyed this first visit to the Lakes , although this seemed a lot harder than I expected.

Distance : 8.5 miles

Ascent : 2,135 ft

OS OL 5