The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 17/01/2024

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – North Rake – Pavey Ark – Thunacar Knott – Harrison Stickle – Dungeon Ghyll – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 5.4 miles Total Ascent: 725 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 50 minutes Start Time: 10:25

Winter has certainly hit with a vengeance – what a morning. In Great Langdale the roads were treacherous and icy with the temperature down at -5C. The sky was blue and there were no clouds, just snow and lots of it. It turned out to be quite strenuous at times with knee deep snow on much of the route. I carried crampons and ice axe but wore micro-spikes throughout and didn’t resort to full crampons. This was a fantastic winter day on the fells and ones like this don’t come along very often, that’s for sure.

Fletcher is checking out the route up to Stickle Tarn.

Looking to Lingmoor Fell from the top of the waterfalls on Stickle Ghyll. Time for a breather here as it was boiling hot on this section of the walk, with the full sun reflected on the snow and not a breath of wind to cool me.

The view after crossing the Ghyll - I opted to cross lower down than usual as it is easier, although the climb was not necessarily so as the snow was knee deep for much of it.

As soon as we reached Stickle Tarn the wind picked up and of course it was biting and icy. Time to layer up before continuing, this photo is Harrison Stickle looking sugar coated.

Pavey Ark with Jacks Rake running Bottonm right to top left of the craggy face. I didn't fancy that today, conditions were hard enough as it was.

Harrison Stickle across Stickle Tarn...

...and Pavey Ark again, from further round the tarn.

Fletcher blazes a trail towards the North Rake.

Fantastic conditions, looking from the foot of the rake.

Looking across to Blea Rigg..

The snow in the North Rake was knee deep and it made for tough going. Can you spot 2 people halfway up in this photo? They give it some scale.

Made it! On Pavey Ark looking to Harrison Stickle and the Coniston fells beyond.

It is clear for miles and miles looking towards Windermere.

A panorama of the fells to the east,

No need to look at me like that Fletcher my lad!

Thunacar Knott.

Heading for Harrison Stickle.

Bowfell and Esk Pike.

Bowfell and the Band.

A biscuit please.

Pike o' Stickle and Rosett Pike overshadowed by Bowfell and Esk Pike.

Harrison Stickle.

All the fells to the west - Great Gable central.

What a great view to Bowfell, Scafell Pike and Esk Pike across Mickleden with Pike o'Stickle and Rossett Pike in the foreground.

Great Langdale.

On the descent from Harrison Stickle.

Found someone else on the Dungeon Ghyll descent.

New cairn - looking back to Loft Crag and Thorn Crag on the descent.

A Herdwick welcome.

The sun is setting already but we are nearly down now.

The Langdale Pikes.

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.

Thunacar Knott

Height: 723 metres / 2372 feet Grid reference: NY 27967 07990 Category: The Central Fells

There are two summits on Thunacar Knott, separated by a small tarn, the northern one being the recognised top.

Bowfell from the summit of Thunacar Knott

Cold wind shelter on Thunacar Knott

High Raise and Sergeant Man from Thunacar Knott

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 23/01/2012

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Harrison Stickle – Pavey Ark – Thunacar Knott – Pike O’Stickle – Loft Crag – Thorn Crag – Pike How – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 5 miles Total Ascent: 791 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:00

Weather: Lots of wintry showers. 5°C

The weather took a turn for the worse as I climbed alongside Stickle Ghyll this morning and became really wintry on the climb to Harrison Stickle. Backed by a strong wind is was a proper winter’s day with the weather changing minute by minute. There were fleeting clear spells which were magical, but I really enjoyed every step of today’s walk – weather and all.

The Langdale Pikes Route Map.

At the start of the climb to Stickle Tarn.

Falls on Stickle Ghyll.

Lingmoor Fell and there is a bit of weather around now - sleety rain at this height but it soon turned to hail, then snow.

Looking to Pike How through the hail.

At the dam on Stickle Tarn in a heavy (and painful!) hail shower.

Heading for Harrison Stickle.

A brief interlude between the showers to look down on Stickle Tarn with distant Fairfield in view. Things soon changed however...

Lots of snow, lots of wind - Harrison Stickle summit ahead.

Snowy Casperoo.

Come on, let's go!

The summit of Harrison Stickle.

Pike o' Stickle from the path to Pavey Ark. Beyond there is an eerie blue light over Crinkle Crags and Bowfell.

Halo over Harrison.

For a fleeting minute of two there was full sunshine as I made my way across to Pavey Ark, here looking towards Thunacar Knott...but look at that ominous sky beyond.

Lots of drama over Harrison.

Pavey Ark

The view from the top of Pavey ark into Langdale, Windermere up to the left and Lingmoor Fell central.

High Raise is under there somewhere, Sergeant Man visible to the right.

The Vale of Grasmere from Pavey Ark.

Sunshine and clouds over the Coniston fells.

Harrison Stickle from Thunacar Knott just before I was completely enveloped in another snow shower.

Thunacar Knott.

The boys find their own path to Pike o' Stickle.

The Langdale Pikes from the path to Pike o' Stickle.

Looks like it is sunny and bright to the north.

Pike o' Stickle panoramic.

Made it to the top of Pike o' Stickle.

Mickleden.

Mono Bowfell.

Crinkle Crags close-up.

Crinkle Crags and The Band.

Harrison Stickle and Loft Crag from Pike o' Stickle.

A wider view of the same, Blea Tarn to the right.

Pike o' Stickle from the start of the Loft Crag ridge, Bowfell summit is clear of cloud to the left now.

Heading for Loft Crag.

Looking back to Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle from Thorn Crag.

Harrison Stickle from Pike How.

The Langdale Pikes from Elterwater - it hardly looks as though there has been any snow up there now.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 22/02/2010

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. 3°C

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.

A panoramic view of Mickleden from Pike o' Stickle. Select on the image to see a larger version.

Yours truly and the two dogs (photo by Andy Lang).

The skies are clearing again heading across to Loft Crag.

Pike o' Stickle.

Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle from Thorn Crag.

Great Langdale and Windermere in view.

Looking back at the route of descent.

Beautiful sunshine once more over the Coniston fells and Pike o' Blisco.

Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Looking at Stickle Ghyll and our route of ascent this morning.

Dungeon Ghyll.

Great Langdale finally gets some sunshine.

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.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 13/08/2007

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: 3 hours

Weather: Showers. 16oC.

The early bird caught the worm this morning! We were up at the crack of dawn today for a circuit of The Langdale Pikes. Setting off in the rain, I didn’t hold out much hope for any dry weather but fortunately it wasn’t too long before the skies cleared somewhat, although elsewhere – notably over to Bow Fell and the Coniston fells – the clouds remained down for most of the time during the morning.

Stickle Ghyll at the start of the walk...

...in the rain.

As we climbed, the rain stopped for a while and here the early morning sun catches Lingmoor Fell across Great Langdale.

Pavey Ark from the outflow of Stickle Tarn.

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn.

Harrison Stickle reflected in Stickle Tarn.

Sergeant Man from the climb to Pavey Ark.

A shower coming over from Easedale from Pavey Ark. Time to get the jacket on again!

High Raise and Sergeant Man from Thunacar Knott. This photo doesn't convey how bad the conditions were - it was blowing a hooly, raining and absolutely freezing up here. Wish I'd packed some gloves.

Looking down on Stickle Tarn, crossing from Thunacar Knott to Harrison Stickle.

Pike o' Blisco from Harrison Stickle.

Another shower approaches the summit of Harrison Stickle, here looking towards Windermere.

Bow Fell and Esk Pike in the clouds with Rossett Pike centre and the next objective, Pike o' Stickle, from Harrison Stickle.

Mickleden from Pike o' Stickle with Bow Fell at its head, Esk Pike and Great End beyond. The prominent fork is the joining of the Rossett Gill and Stake Pass paths.

Looking across to Loft Crag with Windermere beyond.

Rossett Pike.

Casper on Pike o' Stickle.

Bow Fell, almost out of the clouds now.

The sun lights up Loft Crag with the familiar outline of Pike o' Stickle in shade and the dark silhouette of Glaramara beyond.

Tongue out on Loft Crag for Casper.

Harrison Stickle from Loft Crag.

Casper contemplates life from Dungeon Ghyll.

Looking across to the Coniston fells, The Old Man in cloud whilst Wetherlam remains clear. To the left is Blea Tarn.

The heathery slopes of Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike.

Looking back to Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle from the bottom of the Dungeon Ghyll path.

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.

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 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.

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.