Start Point: Cockley Beck (NY 246 016)
Cockley Beck – Moasdale – Lingcove Beck – High Gait Crags – Yeastyrigg Crags – Pike de Bield – Esk Pike – Ore Gap – Bowfell – Three Tarns – Shelter Crags – Crinkle Crags – Stonesty Pike – Little Stand – Ulpha Fell – Cockley Beck
Distance: 9 miles Total Ascent: 1013 metres Time Taken: 6 hours Start Time: 07:30
Weather: Lovely, 21°C
It was perfect summer weather for a walk up to Esk Pike from Cockley Beck – this is definitely the quiet way to do these fells and I didn’t see anyone until 3 Tarns and then one or two on Crinkle Crags. By the end I was completely boiled, but hey – not complaining! This walk will feature in Trail magazine later this year.
First sight of the Scafells from Moasdale this morning - lovely.
Scafell and Scafell Pike before heading down to cross Lingcove Beck.
The south ridge to Esk Pike in the foreground.
Close up on Scafell Pike, Scafell to the left and Ill Crag to the right.
Scafells panorama.
Fine views from High Gait Crags.
Mono Pike.
The King of the Fells and the fell that is king.
Looking back along the ridge to Hard Knott and Harter Fell.
The Lion King.
Climbing higher across Yeastyrigg Crags.
Looking across Pike de Bield to the Scafells. Further along from Pike de Bield is a large cairn (marked 'memorial cairn' on 2nd edition Wainwright's), the brass plaque on it says 'Gerry Charnley 1929 - 1982.
Langstrath from Esk Pike summit. Esk Pike and Bowfell were swirling in and out of the mist all morning and it was a shock to hit the cold air.
Heading for Bowfell across Ore Gap.
The dark outline is the south ridge of Esk Pike (just climbed) and beyond is the finest view of the Scafells of all, taken from Bowfell.
The Great Slab of Flat Crags and the Langdales.
Crinkle Crags across Three Tarns.
Down at the tarns and a chance for Dougal to cool off.
Pike o' Blisco, Windermere beyond from Crinkle Crags.
The highest swimmer in England at 854m in Crinkle Crags Tarn.
Rounding Long Top, Dougal checks out the way across the fifth (or first!) Crinkle and over to Stonesty Pike and Little Stand.
Great Langdale.
Stonesty Pike summit - I think Birkett got the wrong one when he chose it.
Beautiful weather and pools on Little Stand.
The Duddon Valley from the descent of Little Stand.
Looking back up from the road - there is a way down somewhere!