Far Easedale Round

Walked on 26/04/2024

Walking Diary 2024

Start Point: Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale (NY 331 083)

Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale – Stythwaite Steps – Tarn Crag East Ridge – Tarn Crag – Codale Head – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Low White Stones – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale

Distance: 17.3 km Total Ascent: 805 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes Start Time: 07:45

Weather: Cold wind, clear spells, 5°C

I have had this walk lined up for a little while but was waiting for a suitable weather window to do it. I was rewarded for that wait today, the weather being absolutely fantastic and coupled with the surroundings made this walk very enjoyable from start to finish – I can well recommend it. When I looked back through my walks, the last time I was up on Tarn Crag was in 2010 – an unbelievable 14 years ago!

Easedale at the start of the walk and what a beautiful start to the day. The birds were singing and there wasn't a breath of wind.

Looking across Easedale to Sour Milk Gill with Tarn Crag beyond, the pointed summit is where we are heading, climbing along the east ridge.

Heading into Far Easedale towards Stythwaite Steps.

The crossing of Far Easedale Gill at Stythwaite Steps (which is now a footbridge).

Looking into Far Easedale with Calf Crag at the head, the way we will be returning later.

Just at the top of the wall on the climb from the footbridge, these rocks mentioned by Wainwright can be seen. He calls it 'Interesting boulder' and the drawing is shown on The Central Fells, Tarn Crag 6. "The two boulders illustrated above still have foliage (heather and tree) and are a destination popular enough to have encouraged the creation of a path".

Hey, ewe! I wonder what has caught this Herdy's attention?! (Clue: he has 4 legs, a waggy tail and is my walking companion!).

The prominent Rock Tor on the east ridge, a good marker to let you know you are going the right way.

Looks like Fletcher was just in time with his new haircut, he is loving the weather above Easedale Tarn.

Blea Rigg across Easedale Tarn, the conditions were perfect up here.

Tarn Crag ahead with Deer Bield Crag to the right. The summit is the pointed peak in the centre.

Tarn Crag summit. There is not much of a cairn left now.

Water, water everywhere...the pools are frozen still on the tops when we crossed Tarn Crag southwards to have a look over Easedale Tarn.

Back to Tarn Crag summit - this is the rock plinth that marks the summit.

Beautiful shifting light on Codale Tarn, beyond is Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Fletcher leads the way on the climb to Codale Head.

Sergeant Fletcher checks out Sergeant Man .

The clouds seemed to be building now as we summited Sergeant Man, here looking down on the back of the Langdale Pikes, Pavey Ark to the right with Stickle Tarn visible, Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike central and the Coniston fells beyond.

A magnificent view of Bowfell and the Scafells from Sergeant Man.

Great Gable and High Stile over Glaramara.

Once we reached the summit of High Raise (the centre of the Lake District and the highest point on today's walk) I stopped for a while and had a brew taking in the fantastic views in near perfect conditions. It is one of my favourites fells and it never fails to disappoint. This is looking into Langstrath from the coffee stop.

Look at this view to Skiddaw and Blencathra, it is magnificent. When I first sat down there wasn't a breath of wind and it was silent apart from the chirruping of the Skylarks. 10 minutes later when I stood up to carry on, the wind had picked up noticeably so its looked like I hit the sweet spot with timing there!

I headed down to Low White Stones following the path.

Descending Greenup Edge, even normally dull Ullscarf is looking good today.

It always strikes me that everything seems within easy reach from here, Sergeant's Crag and Eagle Crag especially as they are so near yet for me it is a long drive round to Borrowdale to climb them from that side.

There is a new pavement under construction across Wythburn, I must say these large slabs make the going a lot easier than trying to get across the previously boggy area.

Fletcher crosses the gateway through the invisible fence.

Heading for Calf Crag and the start of the return leg.

looking along Far Easedale to Grasmere from Calf Crag.

Fletcher in a thoughtful pose.

Looking across Far Easedale to Tarn Crag from Gibson Knott.

...and looking along to Helm Crag from the same place.

A Birds Eye view of the path walked earlier. At the bottom is the bridge at Stythwaite Steps. Follow the wall up and round and Wainwright's 'interesting boulder' is also visible.

Helm Crag ahead looking across Bracken Hause.

Looking back to Gibson Knott from the climb to Helm Crag.

The Howitzer, the summit rocks that mark the top of Helm Crag - also known as the Lion and the Lamb.

A little further on and these are the rocks that give the fells the local name of The Lion and the Lamb (although from this side it should be The Lamb and the Lion!).

Grasmere - town and lake.

I spotted this plaque hidden away in Lancrigg Gardens on a small rock. It is in Latin, the inscription reads "Hoc in supercilic sedebat Dorothea Wordsworth dum ex ore fratis prope inambulantis carmina describit" translated as "Dorothy Wordsworth used to sit at this spot, writing down the poems that her brother dictated as he walked nearby".

Blea Rigg via Whitegill Crag

Walked on 16/04/2015

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Whitegill Crag (ravine) – Blea Rigg – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Harrison Stickle – Pike Howe – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 6.4 miles Total Ascent: 778 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 15 minutes Start Time: 08:30

What a fantastic morning, the sky and light were excellent today and it was a great day to try out a scramble up to Blea Rigg using the Whitegill Crag ravine. If you like it steep and rough, then this is the way for you. Using this route I hardly saw a soul all morning (only from afar using the more popular paths) but I did bump into Striding Edge stalwarts Pat & Emrys on the way down – nice to see you both up there today.

Looking along Langdale from the path above Millbeck - what a beautiful and clear morning.

The way up today via the Whitegill Crag ravine. I'm not sure if the token on top of the rock has some significance!

Steep and rocky.

A wider view of Whitegill Crag.

Looking down, Lingmoor Fell across the valley.

The view from higher up...

...and from the top.

Looking across to the Langdales.

I had a bit of fun looking around for some of the items mentioned by Wainwright in the Blea Rigg chapter today - this is the sheepfold taken from 'small shelter on top of crag' (Blea Rigg 8).

...and this is the tarn a little further up on the map.

Blea Rigg summit.

The Shelter Stone on the top of Blea Rigg (Blea Rigg 12)

Codale and Easdale Tarns.

Looking in the opposite direction to the Langdale Pikes.

The miniature pool (Blea Rigg 11).

At least someone has found a use for it.

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn.

Sergeant Man from the east.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Sergeant Man.

A beautiful pool on High Raise.

Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake from High Raise.

Bowfell, the Scafells and Great Gable from High Raise.

Fletch and Dougal looking very regal with new haircuts.

Thunacar Knott.

Hello you two.

Windermere from Harrison Stickle.

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn (and way beyond).

What a great view from Harrison Stickle looking in the opposite direction.

Lots of families around today which was great to see.

The view from Harrison Stickle - Crinkle Crags and Bowfell beyond Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle.

Harrison Stickle from Pike Howe.

Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle seperated by Dungeon Ghyll.

Whitegill Crag (the lower peak). The path used at the start of the walk was below the Larch plantation.

The Langdale Pikes looking radiant.

Langdale Circuit

Walked on 02/02/2015

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Harrison Stickle – Thunacar Knott – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Stickle Tarn – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 5.6 miles Total Ascent: 723 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 08:00

Weather: Cold with high cloud, 2°C

The Langdales were oh so cold today but it was great to be out in winter conditions again. The freeze thaw cycle had made some places quite treacherous, the path to Stickle Tarn was especially so and required spikes to safely climb. These were swapped for crampons to climb up to Harrison Stickle on the eastern face. Once on the tops there was an icy chill and surprisingly for this area I never saw a single soul until I was back to lower reaches.

Sunrise over Great Langdale.

Looking ahead up the climb to Stickle Tarn.

Looking down from higher up - the path was treacherous sheet ice, microspikes were required for the rest of the climb to Stickle Tarn.

Climbing higher.

Pavey Ark across frozen Stickle Tarn.

Winter sky.

Pavey Ark from the dam.

Heading for Harrison Stickle.

Stickle Tarn from the climb to Harrison.

Looking across to the western face of Pavey Ark.

The climb was icy.

The view to the east.

Nearly there.

Harrison Stickle.

Looking across Pike o' Stickle and Rossett Pike to the Scafells and Great Gable.

Bowfell and The Band.

The Coniston fells.

The view from Thunacar Knott.

Bowfell.

Langstrath from High Raise.

Distant Skiddaw and Blencathra.

The summit of High Raise.

Looking south.

Dougal checks which fells he has ticked off - all of them in this photo I think!

Esk Pike, Scafell Pike and Great End.

Sergeant Fletcher and Sergeant Dougal.

Sergeant Man.

The way down.

Inquisitive Fletcher.

Mono Pavey Ark.

Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark from the descent.

Looking back to Sergeant Man and the ridge descended. There is a touch of blue in the sky now.

Pavey Ark, Jack's Rake running diagonally right to left across the face.

Harrison Stickle and the route climbed.

The Langdale Pikes.

Sergeant Man

Height: 736 metres / 2415 feet Grid reference: NY 28647 08896 Category: The Central Fells

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Esk Pike from Sergeant Man

Looking north to Sergeant Man from the climb to Pavey Ark

Casper on Sergeant Man

Sergeant Phil on Sergeant Man.

High Raise

Walked on 21/09/2012

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Tarn Crag – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Harrison Stickle – Pike Howe – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 5.5 miles Total Ascent: 752 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 40 minutes Start Time: 07:50

Weather: Brightening with long sunny spells later. 12°C

It was very quiet up on the fells today, I hardly saw a soul all morning. The weather was ever improving with sunshine and loveliness all around by the end of the walk.

First of all, an invitation for you if you are around in the Lakes on the weekend of the 10th & 11th of November…

It would be great to see you there where you can meet the gruesome twosome (and Dougal and Casper!).

An early start from Dungeon Ghyll, Pike Howe ahead.

Stickle Ghyll.

Plenty of water flowing today after a few days of heavy rain.

The footbridge across Stickle Ghyll looking to Tarn Crag.

Pike Howe and a touch of blue sky.

Looking across to Pike Howe. I was following the original path to the east of Tarn Crag (now fallen out of fashion I think), a lovely climb with a nice gradient and zig-zags on grass - much better than the modern rocky pitched path. It's almost as if those old timers knew what they were doing!

This Rowan tree was laden with bright red berries.

A ruin with a view.

Sergeant Man comes into view.

Harrison Stickle.

Pavey Ark.

The small walled enclosure 10 yards past the fork.

Harrison Stickle.

Climbing higher.

Pavey Ark and a clear view of the North Rake.

Dougal checks out the two tarns - Codale and Easedale whilst the Fairfield fells get some sunlight on the clouds.

Sergeant Man from the rock slab.

The summit from the east.

The summit of Sergeant Man.

Dougal and Casper.

Looking down the Blea Rigg ridge to Windermere.

Not much to be seen from the summit of High Raise which was completely enveloped in mist.

Windermere, Pavey Ark and clearing skies.

The mist swirling around Pike o' Stickle.

Heading across to Harrison Stickle.

Stickle Tarn from the path.

Looking across to Pavey Ark.

Harrison Stickle summit.

A panoramic view across Stickle Tarn.

Bowfell in cloud beyond Pike o' Stickle.

Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle from the descent.

The ravine of Dungeon Ghyll.

Looking back along the path, Dungeon Ghyll to the left.

Windermere and Great Langdale.

The first people I met today climbing to Harrison Stickle.

Tarn Crag and Stickle Ghyll - the original path I used earlier can be seen as the ribbon of green diverging from the rocky path.

Great Langdale.

Harrison Stickle from Pike Howe.

'What are you up to?'.

The path to Harrison Stickle.

The old and the new - looking down on the paths around Pike Howe

The lower section of Dungeon Ghyll.

The descent.

Crinkle Crags at the head of Oxendale, clear of clouds now.

Great Langdale looking lovely in the sunshine.

The Langdale Pikes.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 04/03/2008

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Pavey Ark – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Pike O’Stickle – Loft Crag – Thorn Crag – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 7 miles Total Ascent: 822 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Sunny and bright, lots of snow. 7ºC.

What a fantastic day today, the best of the winter by far I think. I knew it was going to be good when I went through Coniston and the snow was down to a low level and the sky was clear. We were nice and early, climbing alongside Stickle Ghyll to meet the sunrise half way up which gave a lovely red hue on the snow. When I reached the dam on Stickle Tarn, I thought I must have died and gone to heaven – this is how winters should be!

Stickle Ghyll.

Climbing alongside Stickle Ghyll into the fabulous sunrise.

Pike Howe across Stickle Ghyll.

Harrison Stickle and Stickle Ghyll.

Lingmoor Fell.

There was a strong, icy wind at Stickle Tarn.

Harrison Stickle from the dam on Stickle Tarn.

Pavey Ark.

Harrison Stickle, Stickle Tarn and Bright Beck.

The Coniston fells across Stickle Tarn.

Casper with snowy nose.

Looking north to Sergeant Man from the climb to Pavey Ark.

The summit of Pavey Ark.

The Helvellyn range from the summit.

Casper in the sunshine which belies the cold wind up here.

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

High Raise from the summit wall.

Looking back to Thunacar Knott from the path to Sergeant Man - only two sets of footprints up here this morning.

Icicles on Sergeant Man with a view to distant Windermere.

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Esk Pike from Sergeant Man.

Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle with the Coniston fells beyond.

Helvellyn and Fairfield to the east.

Bowfell from a cold looking summit.

The mist was swirling on and off the summit of High Raise.

Looking northwards to Skiddaw it looks as though there is less snow up that way.

The northern and coldest side of High Raise.

Great End and the Scafells.

Bowfell.

Esk Pike and the Scafells.

Great Gable looks like it is on fire with the great plume of cloud emanating from the top.

Cold wind shelter on Thunacar Knott.

Bowfell from the summit of Thunacar Knott.

Pike o' Stickle and the Crinkle Crags.

Heading for Pike o' Stickle.

Monochrome.

Looking across Mickleden to Bowfell, Rossett Gill to the right.

Crinkle Crags across The Band.

Lingmoor Fell and the Coniston fells across Mickleden and Oxendale.

Looking to Loft Crag and Windermere from the descent of Pike o' Stickle. Harrison Stickle is on the left.

Bowfell and Pike o' Stickle from Loft Crag.

Harrison Stickle.

Crossing Dungeon Ghyll.

Pike o' Blisco with Coniston beyond from the descent to Great Langdale.

Loft Crag and Gimmer Crag.

Almost back to valley level.

The Langdale Pikes from Chapel Stile.

Easedale Circuit

Walked on 18/10/2007

Start point: Grasmere (NY 337 074)

Grasmere – Easedale – Tarn Crag – Codale Head – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Blea Rigg – Silver How – Grasmere

Distance: 9.7 miles Total Ascent: 850 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Generally bright. 13oC.

Today I met up with Andy Lang nice and early for a walk around Easedale and up onto High Raise, the centre of the Lake District. It was very clear this morning but the best of the sunshine was early on and once up onto High Raise the wind was icy. On the way up to Grasmere, all the stretches of water I passed were covered in a thick blanket of mist – here comes winter.

All was frozen in Easedale before the sun came up...

...but when it did, it certainly gave a lovely golden glow.

Sourmilk Gill.

Looking into Easedale from the top falls of Sourmilk Gill.

Beginning the climb of the Tarn Crag ridge - the second peak from the left is the summit.

Autumn in Far Easedale.

Easedale Tarn with reflected contrail.

Casper summits Tarn Crag - hot work in the sunshine!

Looking over to Helvellyn from Tarn Crag, Gibson Knott and Steel Fell in the foreground.

Looking into the sun, Grasmere and Windermere under a thick blanket of mist.

Easedale Tarn.

Codale Tarn from the Tarn Crag ridge with the Coniston fells beyond.

The Helvellyn massif from Codale Head.

On the skyline are Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and the Scafells with the pointed Sergeant Man in the middle distance.

Great Gable and Pillar beyond the Glaramara ridge from High Raise.

Scafell Pike and Great End above Langstrath.

Skiddaw and Blencathra from High Raise, Derwent Water covered in mist. High Raise is the central point of the Lake District and there are great views from here.

A close-up of Skiddaw and Derwent Water.

Great Gable.

Bowfell.

Casper finds a comfortable place to sit on High Raise.

Fleetwith Pike in the centre with the High Stile ridge behind.

Looking back to the grassy dome of High Raise from Sergeant Man.

Descending Sergeant Man.

Stickle Tarn and Harrison Stickle from the ridge to Blea Rigg.

Looking down on two tarns - Codale and Easedale.

Heading for Blea Rigg, Windermere beyond.

Harrison Stickle from Blea Rigg.

Looking across to Crinkle Crags.

Having a rest on the way to Silver How.

Seat Sandal and Fairfield over Helm Crag.

Great Langdale.

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes.

Grasmere and Rydal Water from Silver How.

The Vale of Grasmere, Helvellyn to the left and Fairfield to the right.

The view from the summit of Silver How.

Reflected island on Grasmere.

Helm Crag from the descent.

Helm Crag in Autumn.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 11/09/2006

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Pavey Ark – Harrison Stickle –Pike O’Stickle – Loft Crag – Thorn Crag – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 8.1 miles Total Ascent: 1047 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Overcast but clearing – warm and still. 23oC

When Angus (the ‘lost boy’ – kept a close eye on him today!), Casper and I set off from the New Dungeon Ghyll, it was quite murky but surprisingly warm. The sun threatened to break through the clouds all morning and eventually did for spells. Casper was recognised (from 1000 yards I think!) on Loft Crag by Chris and Lin, up in the area for a weeks holiday and it was nice to bump into someone who visits this website. Previously I have said I wouldn’t take Angus up on the high fells again, but how could I resist? He loves it up there…

Waterfall on Stickle Ghyll.

Looking up Stickle Ghyll.

Waterfall further up.

Pavey Ark in the mist across Stickle Tarn.

Harrison Stickle.

Stickle Tarn reflections.

Sergeant Man appears briefly from the mist with a ghostly figure on the summit.

The view from Sergeant Man.

Angus and Casper on High Raise.

The sun is trying to get through now, here reflected in a mirror finish Stickle Tarn from Pavey Ark summit.

Looking across to Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

A retrospective view of Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn.

Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle from Harrison Stickle.

Pike o' Stickle, no missing the path to it!

Looking back to Harrison Stickle on the way to Pike o' Stickle.

Angus and Casper on the summit of Pike o' Stickle, Loft Crag beyond.

High Raise and Thunacar Knott from Pike o' Stickle. There's even a touch of blue sky now!

The familiar shape of Pike o' Stickle.

Heading for Loft Crag.

The figure on top of Pike o' Stickle gives some scale.

Angus on Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle beyond.

Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle from Thorn Crag.

Dungeon Ghyll.

Nearly there - looking back along the Dungeon Ghyll path.

High Raise

Walked on 27/02/2006

Start point: Grasmere (NY 337 076)

Grasmere – Goody Bridge – Helmside – Steel Fell (464) – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Low White Stones – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Codale Head – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Grasmere

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1000 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Dull and grey with the snow showers. 5°C

Today’s walk was from Grasmere with a circuit of Greenburn, also taking in High Raise and Sergeant Man. There was lots of snow about today with mini-blizzards on the higher sections of High Raise and Sergeant Man.

Looking across to Helm Crag from the steep ascent to Steel Fell.

Lots of OFC members and dogs on the way up to Steel Fell.

Looking across to the snow capped Helvellyn ridge across Dunmail Raise.

Seat Sandal.

Looking back down Steel Fell to Helm Crag with Grasmere beyond with the snow falling now.

Steel Fell summit.

Thirlmere from Steel Fell.

Helvellyn across an un-named tarn on the ridge to Gibson Knott.

Brownrigg Moss with Greenup Edge in the distance - the route to High Raise.

An icy beck on Low White Stones.

The central fells and Bassenthwaite Lake.

Steel Fell just beneath the clouds from Low White Stones.

Langstrath from High Raise.

Angus complete with snowy beard on High Raise.

A snowy High Raise summit.

Bow Fell from High Raise.

Crinkle Crags from a frozen tarn below Sergeant Man's summit.

Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle from Sergeant Man.

On the edge of Sergeant Man, Stickle Tarn below.

A snowy Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield contrast against Dollywagon Pike and Seat Sandal with Steel Fell in the centre.

The Lion and The Lamb from the top of the Howitzer, the summit of Helm Crag; Grasmere and Loughrigg Fell beyond.

Grasmere from The Lion and The Lamb.

Easedale.

Helm Crag from Easedale.

Jack’s Rake

Walked on 17/08/2005

Grasmere – Easedale – Easedale Tarn – Belles Knott – Stickle Tarn – Pavey Ark – Thunacar Knott – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Low White Stones – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Grasmere

Distance: 12.5 miles Total Ascent: 1256 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Turning sunny and warm. 23°C.

Today was a choice of walk for 14 year old James; as he’s wanted to climb Jack’s Rake (sorry Angus, not a walk for dogs!) and Helm Crag (commonly known as ‘The Lion and the Lamb’) for a while, we killed two birds with one stone today and did a long round from Grasmere. The weather started somewhat dull but by the time we reached Easedale Tarn, the sun shone and it turned into a glorious day with memorable, superb views from our lunch stop on High Raise.

Jack's Rake

Easedale Tarn.

Belles Knott - the 'Matterhorn' of Easedale.

James on the summit of Belles Knott, looking across Easedale to Blea Rigg.

Codale Tarn, Tarn Crag, Belles Knott and Easedale Tarn.

Stickle Tarn, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Approaching Jack's Rake which can be seen as a diagonal groove centre right - left.

Looking up the steep Jack's Rake.

Climbing the Rake.

Stickle Tarn from Jack's Rake.

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

Another view of Harrison Stickle from one of the tarns on Pavey Ark.

The view from High Raise.

Bow Fell from High Raise.

Skiddaw in the distance from the summit of High Raise.

The Gibson Knott - Helm Crag ridge from Calf Crag.

Approaching Helm Crag, Grasmere in view to the right.

James admiring the view from the true summit of Helm Crag, on top of the rocks known as 'The Howitzer'. Wainwright never reached this highest position on Helm Crag!

The Howitzer on Helm Crag.

Grasmere from Helm Crag.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 10/03/2005

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Thorn Crag – Loft Crag – Pike O’Stickle – Thunacar Knott – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Pavey Ark – Harrison Stickle – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 8.2 miles Total Ascent: 1017 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 50 minutes

Weather: Warmer than of late with the tops in and out of mist all day.

A return visit to old favourites The Langdale Pikes today – it’s a little while since I’ve done them so this round made a nice change today. With it being Easter soon, this area becomes very busy so I thought I’d better get out while the place was virtually deserted…

The Langdale Pikes route map.

3D image of the walk route.

Pike O' Blisco and Great Knott across Oxendale from the ascent to Thorn Crag.

Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike across The Langdale Valley.

Pike O' Stickle from Loft Crag.

The mist hangs on Loft Crag from Pike O' Stickle.

The Langdale Pikes from the back, on the way to Thunacar Knott. Thorn Crag - extreme left, Loft Crag - left of centre and Pike O'Stickle, right.

The frozen summit tarn on Thunacar Knott.

High Raise summit looking along Langstrath. Happy Birthday Angus - 9 yesterday!

Bow Fell and Esk Pike.

Easterly view from Pavey Ark.

Looking along Great Langdale to Windermere from Pavey Ark.

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

Waterfall below Thorn Crag.

Looking along Oxendale at the end of the walk, the cloud has cleared now.

The Lion & The Lamb

Walked on 24/08/2004

Start point: Grasmere (NY 337 076)

Grasmere – Easedale – Easedale Tarn – Tarn Crag (140) – Codale Head (141) – Sergeant Man (142) – High Raise (143) – Calf Crag (144) – Gibson Knott (145) – Helm Crag (146) – Grasmere

Weather: Sunny at first, rain later.

Today’s walk is a circuit of Grasmere Common, taking in the ever popular Easedale Tarn and the high point of High Raise.

Car parking for this walk is in the village of Grasmere, the popular car park for walks in this area on the Easedale Road has now been transformed into a mini housing estate!

Setting off in bright sunshine (surprising as it was pouring down earlier), I followed the Easedale Road up to Easedale, over the bridge and through an iron gate onto the well defined rocky path.

Helm Crag from Easedale. The path follows the stream with Sourmilk Gill waterfalls visible ahead and ascends adjacent to them. The falls were in full spate due to the amount of rain over the past few days.

Sourmilk Gill waterfalls. Continuing upwards, the still well defined path leads to the lovely and popular Easedale Tarn.

Helm Crag from Easedale Tarn. Visible up to the right is Tarn Crag; I crossed Sourmilk Gill where it exits the tarn and followed the path around the tarn and then a diagonal ascent through the bracken to Tarn Crag.

Tarn Crag from Easedale Tarn. The summit of Tarn Crags is not easy to determine at the best of times as there are many rocky knolls, it was made harder as the mist descended over the top as I arrived. The highest point is up to the right as you arrive on the summit plateau.

Tarn Crag summitCodale Tarn, right. Carrying on westerly along the plateau, Codale Head can be seen ahead with Codale Tarn down to the left. There is an easy ascent to the large cairn; the remains of an old fence leads the way to the summit from half way up.

Codale Tarn, right. Carrying on westerly along the plateau, Codale Head can be seen ahead with Codale Tarn down to the left. There is an easy ascent to the large cairn; the remains of an old fence leads the way to the summit from half way up.

High Raise from Codale Head. To the south-west lies the attractive pyramid of Sergeant Man and it is an easy traverse to reach it.

Sergeant Man from Codale Head

Codale Head and Sergeant Man from the walk to High Raise.

Bright Beck from Sergeant Man. The clouds were lifting now giving fabulous glimpses of Bright Beck and the Langdale Pikes. From Sergeant Man, High Raise was an easy, if somewhat boggy, stroll - there is a trig column on the bouldery summit. From High Raise summit the views were clear - it looked as though it was raining elsewhere, especially over Keswick.

Pike O' Stickle from the summit of High Raise.

Looking across the Langstrath Valley to Glaramara with the High Stile ridge beyond. From High Raise I headed towards Codale Head again; I missed the path here and ended up descending a bit too far to Ferngill Crag. Once I realised my mistake, I contoured across to Broadstone Head and across the Greenup Edge/Far Easedale pass and an easy ascent to the summit of Calf Crag. Here the heavens opened as I arrived and from here on it was a monsoon all the way.

Looking along Far Easedale to Helm Crag from the walk to Calf Crag. Heron Pike is in the distance.

Loughrigg in the centre distance from the summit of Calf Crag. From Calf Crag, it is a pleasant walk along an undulating ridge to reach Gibson Knott, the summit being marked by a large cairn.

Helm Crag from the summit of Gibson Knott. Helm Crag can now be seen in the distance and it is another undulating walk to reach it followed by a sharp climb at the end. Once on Helm Crag ridge, the first large piece of rock is known as 'The Howitzer' due to its appearance from Dunmail Raise. The top of these rocks is the true summit of Helm Crag.

Steel Fell and Dunmail Raise from The Howitzer. Further along the ridge there are two lumps of rock, one large and one small. These are referred to as 'The Lion and The Lamb' due to their appearance from below.

The Howitzer

The Lion and The Lamb on the summit of Helm Crag. Carrying on along the ridge, the obvious path descends toward Grasmere. Taking the path at the gap in the wall, down past the houses, across the road to another path which takes you to Easedale and the original path at the start of the walk. From here it is an easy walk back to Grasmere.

Grasmere Epic

Walked on 11/03/2004

Grasmere – Steel Fell (186) – Calf Crag – Greenup Edge – Ullscarf (187) – Long Crag – Sergeant’s Crag (188) – Eagle Crag (189) – Sergeant’s Crag – Low White Stones – High Raise – Thunacar Knott (190) – Sergeant Man – Blea Rigg (191) – Silver How (192) – Grasmere

A raw and bitterly cold day, icy wind on the tops with lots of snow.

Helm Crag from the ascent of Steel Fell. Loughrigg is to the distant left.

Steel Fell summit cairn.

Two un-named tarns on the walk to Calf Crag, Greenup Edge behind.

Calf Crag summit.

A frozen Ullscarf summit cairn.

Greenup Valley.

Ullscarf.

Sergeant's Crag summit.

Borrowdale from Eagle Crag.

Icicle formation on Low White Stones.

High Raise Trig. column.

High Raise from Thunacar Knott.

Sergeant Man summit looking towards Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark.

Stickle Tarn, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark across Bright Beck.

Two Tarns - Codale Tarn.....

and Easedale Tarn.

Pike O'Stickle from Blea Rigg summit.

Grasmere and Rydal Water from Silver How.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 07/01/2003

This is it – the first walk ever published on the original StridingEdge – back in those days I could a) only fit 6 or 7 images on the memory card I had so it was used sparingly and b) the internet was still on dial up so these photos took forever to load up anyway!

Although these pictures were taken in 2003, the site didn’t get up and running until 31st January 2004 when there was the proverbial one man and his dog with no one bothering to look at the photos until eventually the site gained in popularity. Looking back on these photos whilst updating is funny as I can remember the walks as if they were yesterday…

Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Jacks Rake – Pavey Ark (1) – Harrison Stickle (2) – Loft Crag (3) – Pike O’ Stickle (4) – Stake Pass – Mickelden – Dungeon Ghyll

Pike O'Stickle summit looking towards Bowfell and Rossett Pike.

L-R:Great End, Allen Crags, Great Gable, Green Gable, Seathwaite Fell and Base Brown from Pike O'Stickle summit.

View from Pike O'Stickle looking towards Skiddaw.

Harrison Stickle from Loft Crag.

The next walk (I had begun counting the Wainwright’s at the same time) was as follows. There are no photos so either the weather was bad or I wasn’t into the habit yet.

Grasmere – Easedale Tarn – Sergeant Man (5) – High Raise (6) – Gibson Knott (7) – Calf Crag (8) – Helm Crag (9) – Grasmere