Three Shire Stone – Black Crag – Pike o’ Blisco – Red Tarn – Cold Pike – Red Tarn – Three Shire Stone
Distance: 6.6 km Total Ascent: 490 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 45 minutes Start Time: 07:10 (sunrise 08:00)
I must be a sucker for getting up early but once again it was well worth the effort to get up and witness this spectacular sunrise from Pike o’ Blisco. What a fantastic morning it was, freezing hanging around at the top but the advancing red sky was a sight to witness. It is a long time since I have been up this way but nice to be back and it was as good as I remember.
(Spoiler alert and apology – there are lots of ‘sky’ photos in this post!)

Like a martian scene in the early morning light, looking across to the Langdales with Skiddaw in the distance.

After the sunrise, there was oddly diffused light with the cloud cover. This is Pike o'Blisco main summit.

Fletcher takes it all in on the descent to Red Tarn. The light hadn't made it this far yet with Red Tarn being surrounded by fells and neither had any warmth. Two pairs of gloves required for this section, especially with all the 'gloves off, gloves on' going on with the camera.

Looking across to The Langdale Pikes as we climb towards Cold Pike; Helvellyn has a dusting of snow.

Pike o' Blisco across Red Tarn. We did a direct descent from here which was steep but mainly grassy.