Thursday 11th February 2010

Start point: The Old Dungeon Ghyll car park (NY 286 062)

Old Dungeon Ghyll - Rossett Gill - Rossett Pike - Angle Tarn - Esk Hause - Esk Pike - Ore Gap - Bowfell - Three Tarns - Buscoe - Oxendale - Old Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 9.1 miles     Total Ascent: 1016 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Cool and clear. 4oC

Route Map

It started off really dull and it clouded over almost as soon as I set off from Great Langdale - but lo and behold, the sun came out and the skies soon became glorious blue. It really was great day on the fells, most of the walk was completed in shirt sleeves and even though it was icily cold, the sun really warmed it up. It was really quiet up there too and I only saw two other people - on the descent to Three Tarns.

It was decidedly grey at the start of the walk along Mickleden - I didn't hold out much hope for the weather today, but pressed on regardless.

Mind you, it looks a bit brighter over Pike o' Stickle now.

Looking back along Mickleden to Great Langdale.

Bowfell from the bridge across Stake Gill.

The start of the Rossett Gill path, Bowfell ahead and Rossett Pike to the right.

Rossett Pike looking resplendent in the sunshine and what a difference in the weather in less than an hour.

Bowfell from the Rossett Gill path, Bowfell Buttress is the lofty pinnacle.

Mickleden and the Langdale Pikes from the zig-zags.

Casper comes back to see where I am in this snow filled gully.

Rossett Pike from the top of Rossett Pass.

The view to the east from the summit of Rossett Pike.

Mickleden from the Mickleden Cairn.

Casper and Dougal are enjoying their walk in the sunshine today.

Esk Pike and Great End from Rossett Pike.

The same view over frozen Angle Tarn.

Looking back over Angle Tarn to Hanging Knotts.

Little Dougal Doo blazing a trail for Esk Hause - he's born to it, that lad.

Having a look at Great End from Esk Hause.

Esk Pike from the cross shelter.

The climb to Esk Pike from Esk Hause.

The Scafell Pikes from the climb.

Derwent Water and Skiddaw from the summit of Esk Pike.

Hard Knott and the Duddon Estuary.

The Helvellyn ridge and Langstrath.

The view across to Windermere from the top of Bowfell.

The Scafells.

Crinkle Crags and beyond.

Scafell Pike from Bowfell.

Two black shiny noses.

The Great Slab of Flat Crags.

Looking back to Bowfell's summit.

The descent to Three Tarns, Crinkle Crags ahead.

The Scafells from one of the tarns.

Bowfell Links from on one of the tarns!

That looks more tarn-like, however it is frozen solid too.

Pike o' Blisco and Buscoe - that descent was interesting in places, the usual bogginess replaced with great sheets of ice.

Bowfell and Buscoe Sike.

Hell Gill falls.

Oxendale.

Late sunshine on Side Pike.

The Langdale Pikes, with full sunshine on them now.

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