30th November 2014 - The Langdale Pikes
Walk Details
Distance walked: 5.4 miles
Total ascent: 2552 ft
OS map used: OL6 - The English Lakes, Southwestern area
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Stickle Barn-Stickle Ghyll-Stickle Tarn-Sergeant Man-High Raise-Thunacar Knott-Pavey Ark-Harrison Stickle-Pike Howe-Stickle Barn
The forecast for today was for the weather to be better the further west you went so I decided to head for the Lakes and do some of the Langdale Pikes that would count towards my second round. I certainly picked the right location, fells just to the east such as Helvellyn and Fairfield were plagued by low cloud. The bit of mist I encountered just made the walk more interesting.
From the NT car park at Stickle Barn I made my way up Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn. The first top of the day, Sergeant Man was the next objective. After having my lunch there I then followed the clear paths to the tops of High Raise, Thunacar Knott, Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle. My route down to Stickle Barn was the path via Pike Howe.
Total ascent: 2552 ft
OS map used: OL6 - The English Lakes, Southwestern area
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Stickle Barn-Stickle Ghyll-Stickle Tarn-Sergeant Man-High Raise-Thunacar Knott-Pavey Ark-Harrison Stickle-Pike Howe-Stickle Barn
The forecast for today was for the weather to be better the further west you went so I decided to head for the Lakes and do some of the Langdale Pikes that would count towards my second round. I certainly picked the right location, fells just to the east such as Helvellyn and Fairfield were plagued by low cloud. The bit of mist I encountered just made the walk more interesting.
From the NT car park at Stickle Barn I made my way up Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn. The first top of the day, Sergeant Man was the next objective. After having my lunch there I then followed the clear paths to the tops of High Raise, Thunacar Knott, Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle. My route down to Stickle Barn was the path via Pike Howe.
Route map
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Driving into Langdale and I thought I'd pull over and take a picture
On the path up Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn. It's much improved since I last used it.
Looking back down on Langdale from part way up
Past Stickle Tarn and the first target of Sergeant Man is in view
Stickle Tarn, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark. The Jack's Rake ascent can be seen running up the face of Pavey Ark.
Finally made it to the summit of Sergeant Man. Time to have my lunch and take in the view. Looking across the Blea Rigg ridge to Windermere.
Cloud shrouding the tops of Helvellyn and Fairfield
The Coniston fells beyond Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell. You'd be able to see Esk Pike and Great End if the low cloud wasn't there.
Next stop is High Raise. At the moment its top is in the clear.
Looking back at Sergeant Man. From this angle it's just a pimple on the side of High Raise.
I've reached the top of High Raise to find it shrouded in mist. At times it tried to clear and the sun was shining through the top but after fifteen minutes I decided to move on. I was hoping to see that rare thing, a brocken spectre.
I did get a chance to see across towards Helvellyn and Fairfield though
The mist clears as I head for Thunacar Knott
Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike and Great End
Thunacar Knott may not have the most inspiring of tops but there are great views to be had. High Raise and Sergeant Man, the first two summits of the day.
Great Gable, Glaramara and the northwestern fells including Grisedale Pike
Bowfell, Scafell Pike behind Esk Pike, Great End and Great Gable
Pike o'Stickle in front of the Crinkle Crags and Bowfell
Heading for Pavey Ark
I couldn't resist taking a picture of the sky reflected in this deep pool as I passed it
On Pavey Ark, the fourth top of the day. The higher ground to the west restricts the view a little but there's still plenty to see. Thunacar Knott nearby on the right, with Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Scafell Pike in the distance.
Looking down Langdale to Windermere. That's Lingmoor Fell on the right.
Cloud still shrouding the tops of Helvellyn and Fairfield
On Harrison Stickle, the final top of the day. The view isn't that different from Pavey Ark but the extra bit of height makes a difference. Looking down Langdale to Windermere.
Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Scafell Pike and Great End with Loft Crag and Pike o'Stickle in the foreground
Bowfell, Scafell Pike, Esk Pike, Great End, Allen Crags, Great Gable, Green Gable and Pillar
Great End, Allen Crags, Great Gable, Green Gable, Pillar, Glaramara, Dale Head, Crag Hill and Grisedale Pike
It's finally time to head down, via Pike Howe