Striding Edge

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Bowfell

Walked on 06/02/2008

Start point: Cockley Beck (NY 246 017)

Cockley Beck – Moasdale – Lingcove Beck – Three Tarns – Bow Fell – Three Tarns – Shelter Crags – Crinkle Crags – Little Stand – Ulpha Fell – Cockley Beck

Distance: 7.5 miles     Total Ascent: 940 metres    Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Great winter conditions – snow, blue skies and a cold wind. 5°C.

I wasn’t sure how it would turn out today as it was a bit overcast when I set off for Bowfell from Cockley Beck at the head of the Duddon Valley. It turned out to be a fantastic day in real winter conditions and this is just how I like my walking – the going was rough, rugged and remote and the weather was quite changeable with lots of sunny spells but there was still a strong, icy cold wind. Not to worry though, it is winter after all! The icing on the cake was the climb to Bowfell in fresh snow and under a blue sky – just heaven. Thankfully I managed to get the settings in the new camera right today as well after a bit more messing about. Hopefully they will not need too much tweaking from now on.

Bow Fell

06.02.08-002

An interesting prospect in view - Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, Little Stand towering above the Duddon Valley and the River Duddon.

06.02.08-005

Ulpha Fell at the start of the walk.

06.02.08-007

The road to Hardknott Pass - England's steepest road.

06.02.08-009

Moasdale Beck.

06.02.08-014

Little Stand from Moasdale. The final route of descent later was along the diagonal scree gully running left to right at the right of the fell.

06.02.08-015

First sight of the high fells from the rise up from Moasdale, the Scafells covered in cloud. Esk Buttress is directly in line with Casper. I got pelted in a hail shower along here which didn't give me great hope for the rest of the days weather - but you never quite know how it will turn out...

06.02.08-023

Esk Pike and Bowfell.

06.02.08-025

A close up of Esk Pike with Yeastyrigg Gill running up to Ore Gap on the right.

06.02.08-032

Look, some blue sky over Crinkle Crags!

06.02.08-035

A magnificent panorama - Great End, Esk Pike and Bowfell.

06.02.08-039

Following Lingcove Beck heading up to the right to Three Tarns below Bowfell.

06.02.08-050

Casper checks out the way to Bowfell - yep, all the way up there!

06.02.08-059

One of the Three Tarns, completely frozen and the view to the Scafells obliterated by the low lying cloud.

06.02.08-081

Suddenly it is all starting to look good on the climb to Bowfell from Three Tarns. It was fantastic here being the first to climb the virgin snow, sometimes up to knee depth and then the sunny spells and blue sky making the day a real joy to be out.

06.02.08-086

Looking eastwards over the Langdale Pikes and a smattering of snow on the highest fells.

06.02.08-091

It all looks a bit dark over that way - Bowfell's summit is to the left. Who knows what Casper is up to?!

06.02.08-097

A snowy Great Slab on Bowfell.

06.02.08-100

Heading for the summit of Bowfell.

06.02.08-106

Looking north to Esk Pike and Great End.

06.02.08-107

A superb view into Great Langdale and to Windermere from the summit of Bowfell.

06.02.08-109

Crinkle Crags, the way we are heading next from Bowfell. Beyond the Coniston fells remain in cloud.

06.02.08-110

Looking into Eskdale.

06.02.08-116

First to the top today Casper!

Bowfell

The Langdale Pikes in another sunny spell.

06.02.08-120

Lingmoor Fell, Pike o' Blisco and Windermere.

06.02.08-121

A view into Langstrath, Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag in the centre.

06.02.08-128

Monochromatic Bowfell Buttress and Cambridge Crag.

06.02.08-130

A black and white view to the south-east.

06.02.08-133

A bit breezy at times says Casper.

06.02.08-137

Descending back to Three Tarns, which can be seen below with Crinkle Crags beyond. Descending this section I met a couple of 'lads' climbing to Bowfell. We had a chat and talked about a few mutual acquaintances, but the thing that struck me was their ages - 75+ if they were a day! I hope I'm still going strong at that age! (Their advice to me? 'Keep out of the wind at your age'! I don't know if that means because I am old or because I am (to them) young).

06.02.08-152

The Langdales from Shelter Crags.

06.02.08-156

The summit of the Fifth Crinkle, Gunson Knott.

06.02.08-160

On the Fourth...

06.02.08-162

...the third.

06.02.08-164

Climbing to the Second Crinkle looking at the Third (right) and Fourth (left).

06.02.08-169

Long Top, the Second and highest of the Crinkle Crags.

06.02.08-170

The summit of Long Top.

06.02.08-175

Bowfell from the secondary summit cairn.

06.02.08-178

The First Crinkle from the top of the 'Bad Step'.

06.02.08-180

Looking back up to the Bad Step (centre). The climb or descent is to the right of the chock stone.

06.02.08-187

Fleeting clouds across Little Stand and the Coniston fells from the First Crinkle.

06.02.08-192

All is frozen on Stonesty Pike.

06.02.08-200

Wetherlam across a frozen tarn on Little Stand.

06.02.08-204

Sunburst over the Duddon Valley, Harter Fell to the right.

06.02.08-207

The Scafells from the steep descent from Little Stand. Still under cloud but it did seem to lift during the descent - here Slight Side on the left is clear now.

06.02.08-211

Great Carrs and Grey Friar finally get to see the light of day across the Duddon Valley.

06.02.08-213

Ulpha Fell from Cockley Beck.

 

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