The Langdale Pikes - Monday 22nd February 2010

Monday 22nd February 2010

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll - Stickle Tarn - Pavey Ark - Thunacar Knott - Harrison Stickle - Pike O'Stickle - Loft Crag - Thorn Crag - New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 5 miles Total Ascent: 770 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Cold out of the sun, clear. 3oC

Route Map

What a day after the heavy snow in the south Lakes yesterday, the sun was shining for most of the time and the snow was powder perfect. I had a walk with StridingEdge stalwart Andy Lang around the Langdale Pikes and it was quiet up there - we only saw a few fellow walkers from afar today. Over on St Sunday, the big news is that there was an avalanche at the top of Pinnacle Ridge which required a rescue.

All looks clear over Pike How at the start of the walk.

Heading up the Stickle Ghyll path.

Lingmoor Fell from Stickle Ghyll.

It was icy up here.

Almost at Stickle Tarn.

Pavey Ark across frozen Stickle Tarn.

Harrison Stickle along the dam wall.

Pavey Ark reflection.

Rounding Stickle Tarn.

Pavey Ark.

Sunshine and snow.

Jack's Rake to the left, Easy Gully to the right on the face of Pavey Ark. We are climbing the North Rake, round to the right of this photo.

A final view of Harrison Stickle across Stickle Tarn before heading up the rake.

North Rake.

Looking towards Fairfield from the top of the North Rake.

Casper and Dougal in the deep snow approaching the summit of Pavey Ark.

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

Looking south from Pavey Ark.

Bowfell and Thunacar Knott from Pavey Ark.

Looking back to Pavey Ark on the way to Thunacar Knott.

Looking across to the Scafells from Thunacar Knott.

Casperrrr.

Dooog-al.

Andy checks out the view - that's Great Gable up to the right - whilst Dougal checks out - well, me!

Looking across to last weeks walks - Bowfell and Esk Pike with Rossett Pike in the foreground.

Pike o' Stickle and the Coniston fells.

Andy hangs onto Dougal whilst Casper can't believe his eyes.

It started clouding over on the way to Harrison Stickle and to the north the weather was really closing in.

Dougal shows Andy the way down from Harrison Stickle heading across to Pike o' Stickle.

Clouds coming in.

It's all looking a bit ominous over there.

The climb to Pike o' Stickle was a slippery affair, here looking down to Mickleden and Oxendale, split by The Band. Crampons were required for the descent which made things a bit easier.