Bowfell

Walked on 20/01/2016

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 – The Band – Old Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 9.2 miles Total Ascent: 986 metres Time Taken: 6 hours Start Time: 09:00

Weather: Cool and clear. 2°C

All I can say about today is wow! What a fantastic day to be out on the fells, the sunshine made it really warm so I was in shirt sleeves for most of the walk and there was snow – lots of snow – everywhere. The views were stunning, this really was day to remember and ones like this are all too few and far between.

On the way past, a beautiful pink hue on the Coniston fells from Torver.

The Langdale Valley was frozen and mostly in mist this morning but this was the view on emerging.

Heading for Stool End, Crinkle Crags caught in sunshine.

The head of Mickleden, Rossett Pike (our first port of call today) in the sunshine

Crossing Mickleden Beck.

The Langdale Pikes towering above Mickleden.

The sun is coming out now and there is a lovely blue sky.

Looking back along the frozen valley.

Heading for Rossett Gill climbing up in the centre distance.

The way to go.

Looking back from the climb...

...and a bit higher...

...and on and on. The going was quite arduous at times, the path was lost under knee deep snow so it was a best estimate only for the route.

Rossett Pike from the top of Rossett Pass.

The frozen summit of Rossett Pike looking along Langstrath.

A close up on Blencathra.

Mickleden from the Mickleden cairn. Dougal found a Philips screwdriver atop a rock here...if anyone's lost one, let me know (and more to the point, why?)!

Dougal and Fletcher were enjoying the conditions today.

Esk Hause (between Great End and Allen Crags) looks an easy target from here but it was not as straightforward as it looks. Frozen Angle Tarn can be seen below the first section of rocks, then there is a climb and a further descent before another climb all in knee deep, soft snow.

Looking back the other way to Rossett Pike from the fist climb, blazing a trail.

These two were fed up waiting for me!

Angle Tarn.

A beautiful winter wonderland.

Climbing to Esk Hause a big bank of cloud was slowly spreading southwards.

The view from Esk Hause.

You may well gaze in wonder Fletcher my lad!

Great End, Great Gable and beyond.

The Scafells.

View? What view?

The Scafells from Esk Pike summit.

Derwent Water and Skiddaw from Esk Pike.

Bowfell ahead.

What a day!

Descending to Esk Hause.

Climbing to Bowfell.

The Scafells from the summit.

A close up of Scafell and Scafell Pike.

Looking across 3 Tarns (which looks like no tarns today) to Crinkle Crags.

The Great Slab and beyond.

Looking back to the summit from the descent.

Heading down to 3 Tarns, Fletcher looks like he is sliding down.

The Scafells from the tarns.

Pike o' Blisco from The Band.

Descending The Band, Great Lansdale already back in the shadows.

The setting sun on the Langdale Pikes.

Rossett Pike

Height: 650 metres / 2133 feet Grid reference: NY 24920 07565 Category: The Southern Fells

The view to the east from the summit of Rossett Pike

The Mickleden cairn lies to the west of the main summit and overlooks Mickleden

Rossett Pike and Rossett Gill

Rossett Pike from the top of Rossett Pass

Bowfell

Walked on 11/02/2010

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. 4°C

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.

Bowfell

Walked on 04/06/2009

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

Old Dungeon Ghyll – Rossett Gill – Rossett Pike – Angle Tarn – Ore Gap – Bowfell – Three Tarns – The Band – Old Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 7.7 miles Total Ascent: 910 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Dull and overcast. 14C.

Many thanks to everyone from me, Louise, Connie and Casper for the messages of sympathy and support that we have received both via e-mail and in the guestbook, it is really comforting to know that our ‘family’ out there is thinking of us at this time.

Today was almost an ‘escape to the hills’ and of course there was lots of time for thinking of old Angus, especially as this was an area we have walked together many times. Of course, with those thoughts came some smiles and the odd tear. I smiled as I thought of the way he used to drive me bonkers with his incessant barking – but of course I know they were the barks of freedom and the joy of being free on the fells. I thought of the way he climbed the hills and crags with barely any effort, covering twice the distance that I did running round and round in circles. I thought of the times when there was just me and him, alone in the mist in the middle of winter and we were best mates – in it together, always. He was – and is – the spirit of the fells and I will miss him.

Bowfell route map.

The Band with Crinkle Crags and Bowfell beneath cloud from the entrance to Mickleden.

Pike o' Blisco across Oxendale.

Pike o' Stickle and Loft Crag towering above Mickleden.

Rossett Pike from Mickleden.

Heading to Esk Hause, Rossett Pike beyond.

Bowfell from the path to Rossett Pass. At the crossing of Rossett Gill, I opted to climb it rather than following the path.

Mickleden from the lower section of Rossett Gill.

Casper waits patiently on the climb of Rossett Gill.

The view along Mickleden to Lingmoor Fell from the top of Rossett Gill.

Rossett Pike from the top of Rossett Pass.

Casper on Rossett Pike.

The view from the summit of Rossett Pike.

The Mickleden cairn lies to the west of the main summit and overlooks Mickleden.

Rossett Pike above Angle Tarn on the path to Ore Gap.

Looking across Ore Gap to Esk Pike. As I climbed here the mist enveloped me and I admit a great wave of emotion overcame me as well. I had to sit for a while, let the tears well and have ten minutes or so of solitude and contemplation before pressing on.

The summit of Bowfell. Casper, where did you get those brown socks?

The Great Slab.

Descending to Three Tarns, Crinkle Crags beyond.

The King is dead. Long live The King - Casper at Three Tarns. I was sure I could hear Angus barking around there today, I could imagine it echoing in the silence...

Angus at the same place, 2006. RIP son.

Great Langdale from the descent of The Band.

The Langdale Pikes across Mickleden.

A glimmer of sunshine now we are back at valley level.

Bow Fell

Walked on 17/10/2006

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

Old Dungeon Ghyll – Rossett Gill – Rossett Pike – Angle Tarn – Esk Hause – Esk Pike – Bow Fell – Three Tarns – The Band – Old Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 10.1 miles Total Ascent: 1086 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Generally overcast with long, sunny spells and a warm 18oC.

Today was another overcast day initially but the low lying mist seemed to lift by the time I reached the head of Rossett Gill and indeed it was a sunny and pleasant day to the north and from there until Ore Gap conditions were great. Heading up to Bow Fell and from then on, the mist descended and visibility was reduced somewhat. The resurgence of Angus continues unabated as he tackled another rough, long walk with consummate ease.

A welcoming party to a misty Mickleden.

The Langdale Pikes shrouded in mist.

The mist was starting to lift as I walked beneath them.

Pike o' Stickle.

Mickleden.

The mist was almost gone as I approached Rossett Gill.

Bow Fell to the left and Rossett Pike to the right.

Stake Gill.

Rossett Gill and Rossett Pike.

Rossett Pike from the top of Rossett Pass.

The Langdales back in mist from Rossett Pike.

You keep a look out that way, I'll look this way...on Rossett Pike.

Bow Fell from Rossett Pike.

Esk Pike across Angle Tarn.

Angle Tarn.

Glaramara.

Great End.

Kirk Fell and Pillar through the gap between Great End and Great Gable.

Allen Crags from Esk Hause, the cross shelter to the lower right.

Allen Crags and Glaramara from the climb to Esk Pike.

Ill Crag from Esk Pike.

Looking across Sprinkling Tarn to Seathwaite Fell; Great Gable, Green Gable and Base Brown are beyond.

Looking along the River Esk and Great Moss, overlooked by Slight Side, Scafell and Scafell Pike with Esk Buttress and Pen in the centre distance.

Bow Fell appears from the mist, it was back under cover by the time I arrived.

Angus and Casper in the sunshine on Esk Pike.

Looking back to Esk Pike from the climb to Bow Fell.

Up and over a misty Bow Fell and back down to Three Tarns, a lovely spot with a great view of the Scafell range beyond.

Browney Gill from The Band.

Still a bit misty over Mickleden but The Langdale Pikes are clear of cloud now.

It's not just good, it's golden - Lingmoor Fell.

The Band.

Bow Fell

Walked on 10/02/2006

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

Old Dungeon Ghyll – Rossett Gill – Rossett Pike – Angle Tarn – Esk Hause – Allen Crags – Esk Pike – Bow Fell – Three Tarns – The Band – Old Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 11.4 miles Total Ascent: 1331 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 20 minutes

Weather: Cold at first, but warming up nicely in the sunshine with clear, blue skies. -2°C to 4°C

Angus set an absolutely blistering pace today, he was like a young pup for the tough walk up to Bow Fell from Great Langdale! The ‘come on’ bark was an almost constant noise and I think he was happy to be out in the sunshine, as was I. He was recognised on Esk Pike today – I think fame is going to his head!

Walking along Mickleden, Bow Fell up to the left, Rossett Gill in the centre and the first target of the day, Rossett Pike, on the right.

Looking up to Pike o' Stickle and Loft Crag - the Langdale Pikes.

Pike o' Stickle and the 'axe factory' screes.

Blue skies and sunshine - lovely.

Looking back along Mickleden to the Langdale Pikes from the ascent of Rossett Gill.

The steep Rossett Gill path.

It's still freezing out of the sun on the side of Bow Fell.

Rossett Pike from the top of Rossett Pass.

Angus, your tongue has grown longer with the pace you have set!

Looking back to the Langdale Pikes and Rossett Pike from Angle Tarn.

Looking east to Helvellyn over a frozen tarn on Tongue Head.

Skiddaw overlooking Keswick and Derwent Water from Allen Crags.

Pillar, Great Gable and Green Gable over Sprinkling Tarn.

...and a wider view.

Looking north over to the Buttermere fells from Esk Hause.

Upper Eskdale.

Langstrath from Esk Pike.

The view from Esk Pike.

The Duddon Estuary and the Furness peninsula from Bow Fell - I can see my house from here (okay, perhaps not technically correct - it is actually the other way round!). Caw and Stickle Pike are in the middle distance.

Scafell and Scafell Pike from Bow Fell.

...and closer up.

Heaven indeed - lying by Three Tarns in the sunshine with the highest land in England behind for a great view.

The Scafells over one of the (frozen) Three Tarns.

Side Pike and Lingmoor Fell from the descent of The Band.

Great Langdale from The Band.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 25/05/2004

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Jack’s Rake – Pavey Ark (28) – Thunacar Knott (29) – Harrison Stickle (30) – Thorn Crag (31) – Loft Crag (32) – Pike O’Stickle (33) – Martcrag Moor – Black Crag (Mickleden) (34) – Buck Pike (Mickleden) (35) – Rossett Pike (36) – Rossett Gill – Mickleden – New Dungeon Ghyll

Weather: Sunny, some cloudy spells.

Pavey Ark across Stickle Tarn. The vee shows Jack's Rake to the left and Easy Gulley to the right.

Harrison Stickle from Stickle Tarn.

The approach to and looking up Jack's Rake.

Stickle Tarn and Lingmoor Fell from Jack's Rake.

Two views ascending Jack's Rake.

The view from Pavey Ark summit. Windermere and Elterwater are on the left, Esthwaite Water on the right.

Great End, Great Gable and Glaramara from Thunacar Knott summit.

Windermere and Lingmoor Fell from Harrison Stickle summit.

Pike O'Stickle from the summit of Thorn Crag.

Crinkle Crags from Loft Crag summit.

The Coniston Fells from Pike O'Stickle summit.

The Langdale Pikes and Mickleden from Black Crag summit.

Esk Pike and Great End from Buck Pike summit.

The Langdale Pikes and High Raise from Rossett Pike summit.

Angle Tarn from Hanging Knotts.

Looking down Rossett Gill to Mickleden.

Glaramara

Walked on 30/03/2004

Seathwaite – Stockley Bridge – Seathwaite Fell (199) – Sprinkling Tarn – Angle Tarn – Rossett Pike (200) – Angle Tarn – Allen Crags – Glaramara (201) – Combe Head – Rosthwaite Cam – Rosthwaite Fell (202) (Bessyboot) – Seathwaite

Clear and bright becoming hazy later in the day.