Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Langdale to Scafell Pike: A day hike

Date: 19th October 2010
Route: From Old Dungeon Ghyll to Bowfell via climbers traverse, then Esk Pike, Scafell Pike and back via Great End and Rossett Pike.
Wainwrights: Bowfell, Esk Pike, Scafell Pike, Great End, Rossett Pike
Distance: 20.8km (13 miles)
Height Gained: 1622 meters (5323 feet)
Time Taken: 8 hours
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The route, clockwise from Old Dungeon Ghyll (far right)

 This was one of those walks where you set off with a fair idea of your route but then one thing leads to another and you end up wandering much further than planned. My intended summit today was Bowfell from old Dungeon Ghyll at the head of the Great Langdale valley. I wanted to climb it via the 'climbers traverse' route, which can be difficult to find, as I had discovered the previous year. That time I had stumbled across it, more by luck than judgement, while heading up Bowfell from Crinkle Crags. On that day the weather was poor, with rain and hill fog obscuring views. Having now researched the route more thoroughly, and with a clear forecast, I set off at 7:30am heading for 'The Band' and keeping an eye out for the point where a path veers off on the right for the climbers traverse and the extensive rocky crags of the east face of Bowfell.

The view along Mickleden from the path to Stool End farm at 7:00 am

The path to Stool End farm and beyond to Crinkle Crags

Crinkle Crags bathed in early morning sunlight

Pike of Stickle and a local

Views towards the Langdale Pikes from high up on The Band

From The Band: Red tarn just visible between Pike O'Blisco and Cold Pike with Wetherlam beyond

Attention! - this is the point where the indistinct path to climbers traverse veers off, snaking over high ground on right

The view back down the Great Langdale Valley

 Climbers traverse is a fairly well trodden path which winds it way underneath Bowfells impressive rocky scenery. It is so named as it was used by rock climbers to access Bowfell Buttress and Cambridge Crags. It is not shown on the OS map but is well described in Wainwright's Pictorial Guide: Book 4. 


Climbers traverse meandering under Bowfells crags

The view over Rossett Pike to Glaramara - from climbers traverse

 At the point where a spring emerges from moss covered rock on the left a subtle path can be seen cutting steeply backwards as it skirts Cambridge Crag. This is easily missed so if you find yourself passing beyond the rocky bulk of Cambridge Crag (see pictures) then you have gone too far. 

Cambridge Crag (left) and Bowfell Buttress (right). The path up follows the diagonal contour seen climbing steeply leftwards under Cambridge Crag

The spring where Wainwright recommends filling ones water bottle

At the spring, a rocky path climbs up along Cambridge Crag

 The steep 'path' soon disintegrates into a boulder field but the lie of the land is easy to follow as you skirt Cambridge Crag on the right, eventually emerging onto the iconic and aptly named 'Great Slab'. This impressive rocky feature is very obvious when seen but it is probably best to stay close to the boulders on the right which is the less exposed route. 


The bottom of Great Slab

A classic Lakeland view: the top of Great Slab on Bowfell

 Once at the top of 'Great Slab' take a moment to ponder the magnificent view towards the Langdale Pikes and the Great Langdale Valley. This is truly one of the finest Lakeland aspects. It's then a simple case of following the rock-scape upwards until you emerge on the summit of Bowfell and are rewarded by breathtaking views of the Scafells over the Eskdale valley.

 Anyone familiar with Bowfell will be aware of its local microclimate. If there is a cloud to be seen, it will usually make a beeline for the summit while often leaving other nearby peaks untouched. This typically changeable weather was no different today. In the 20 minutes I sat there enjoying coffee & flapjack the clouds descended obscuring all views, it then snowed briefly before the cloud lifted and the sun came out.

Looking over Crinkle Crags from Bowfell summit

Bowfell summit panorama west towards the Scafell range

Bowfell summit panorama east back to the Great Langdale valley

 From this point I had intended to either tackle the Crinkles, or go the other way to Esk Pike and back via Rossett Pike. However, as I gazed across to Scafell Pike and eyeballed the route back along the ridge to Great End, Esk Hause, Esk Pike and back to where I was now stood, this seemed like such an inviting objective. A quick look at the map confirmed good paths all the way and it didn't seem 'too' far. Decision made, I set off at a quick pace, mindful of the distance and rocky terrain despite the illusion of an easy jaunt. It is a straight forward path along the broad ridge to Esk Pike with great views in all directions but particularly forwards to Great Gable and left to the Scafell range.

Esk Pike summit panorama west - Bowfell far left, Scafell's mid-right

The Esk valley from Esk Pike

Great End and Great Gable from Esk Hause












 By the time I reached Esk Hause the weather had continued to improve and I was making good time. I followed the path upwards to gain the Scafell ridge and then continued on to Ill Crag.

Great Gable and Kirk Fell from near Ill Crag

Ill Crag summit panorama over Eskdale

Ill Crag summit panorama west

Scafell Pike from Ill Crag

 Scafell Pike didn't seem to be getting any closer but I continued on along increasingly rocky terrain until the final steep ascent emerged onto the summit plateau. There was one other hiker at the top but he headed off as I arrived and I had the summit of England's highest all to myself for a precious 10 minutes before others emerged from the Wasdale side.

Scafell Pike summit panorama west

Scafell Pike summit panorama north-east

Scafell Pike summit view east towards Bow Fell & Crinkle Crags

Scafell Pike summit view towards Scafell and Wast Water

 I headed back along my tracks making a short diversion to Broad Crag before retreading my steps back along the ridge towards Great End. When I reached the point labelled 'Bield' on the map where the main path descends back to Esk Hause, I decided it would be foolish to walk past Great End and so headed up along an easy path to its summit. It was a worthwhile detour as the views in all directions were stunning.

Great Gable and Styhead tarn from Broad Crag

Lingmell and Great Gable from near Great End

Great End summit panorama west

The view over Rossett Pike towards Great Langdale - from Great End summit

Esk Pike and Bowfell from the descent to Esk Hause

 I then walked back down to 'Bield' to rejoin the path to Esk Hause before bearing eastwards towards Angle Tarn. From this area there are stunning views over to the Langdale Pikes. There is something special about looking down onto these iconic fells from higher ground and I think this vantage point showcases the 'Pikes' from their very best aspect.


Looking down on the Langdale Pikes from near Angle Tarn

Angle Tarn

 The last fell of the day is Rossett Pike, which although the least in altitude, commands a superb vantage point at the head of the Great Langdale valley.


Rossett Pike summit view down the Great Langdale valley

Rossett Pike view over the High Raise massif and the Langdale Pikes

 On the descent from Rossett Pike the impressive rock scenery of Bowfells eastern face demands increasing attention. My earlier ascent path along climbers traverse and up to Great Slab becomes clearly visible.


Great Slab and the ascent path along the boulder field

Great Slab and Cambridge Crag: 2 climbers can just be seen emerging from the top of the boulder field

 From here the path descends steeply down Rossett Gill to eventually emerge at Mickleden under the dominating bulk of Pike of Stickle which by now was bathed in late afternoon sunlight.

Mickledon & the Great Langdale valley from Rossett Gill

Pike of Stickle from Mickledon

A last glimpse back along Mickledon towards Rossett Pike

 The legs were feeling tired now and it was a weary but thoroughly satisfied plod back along the Cumbria way to the car parked by Old Dungeon Ghyll. This was about as far (and high) as I would want to walk in a day but it was a route which had everything that I love about day hiking in the Lake District; impressive rock & crag scenery, a bit of scrambling, majestic peaks, quiet tarns and stunning views. What's not to like ?  

Thursday, September 30, 2010

A Coniston Round

Date : 30th September 2010
Start/End : Coniston Village
Wainwrights : Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell, Grey Friar, Great Carrs, Swirl How, Wetherlam
Distance : 10.5 Miles
Height Gained : 4214 feet


The route : clockwise from Coniston Village (bottom right)
   
This walk takes in 6 out of the 7 Wainwright fells in the Coniston region and could easily be extended in order to include the missing one (Dow Crag). The walk starts in Coniston village and heads off up the old miners track. It is the tourist route up but is never-the-less full of interest and pleasing scenery. The weather started with low cloud obscuring the fell tops but it did eventually lift for the latter half of the walk.


Lower part of the old miners track


Summits remain shrouded


Low Water from the summit path

 Despite the poor weather there was still a welcoming party at the summit who were sat around the cairn eating their sandwiches. This disappointingly familiar scene of summit hogging is unfortunately a common occurrence on popular Lakeland fells. I moved on, taking the straight path towards Brim Fell before bearing west 'off path' towards Grey Friar.

Levers Water from the path to Brim Fell

Looking back to Coniston Old Man

Goats Water from near Brim Fell

 It started raining on the way up to Grey Friar and the swirling cloud made for some dramatic scenery as surrounding fells came into and out of view. 


Grey Friar momentarily free of cloud

Looking towards Great Carrs from the flanks of Grey Friar

On Grey Friar summit the cloud descended again and despite stopping for lunch in the hope of glimpsing some views, it was not to be. I headed back and then onwards to Great Carrs, passing the wreckage and memorial for the Halifax Bomber which crashed in 1944 with the tragic loss of all 8 crew members. 






I continued on up to Great Carrs summit by which time the clouds were thinning and it had stopped raining. My route then continued on to Swirl How and then Wetherlam via the strangely named 'Prison Band' path. 


Swirl How from Great Carrs

Looking down the Greenburn valley from Great Carrs

Little Langdale Tarn

Wetherlam from Swirl How

Levers Water and Coniston Water from Swirl How

Looking back to Swirl How and Great Carrs from the Prison Band

Looking over Pike O'Blisco towards the Langdale Pikes


The Langdale Pikes


Wetherlam summit panorama east

Wetherlam summit panorama west

Lingmoor Fell from Wetherlam

Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell, Swirl How & Great Carrs from Wetherlam

Looking over Coniston Water towards Morecambe Bay

The views from Wetherlam summit were the best I'd seen all day and I lingered for 1/2 hour enjoying the panorama before reluctantly heading back.


The path down

Looking down to Coniston Water

Coniston Old Man & Brim Fell

The old Miners Bridge

Swirl How from the Sun Hotel

As I drove past Windermere the sun was setting over the Coniston Fells and I just had to pull over and admire the view for a few minutes before heading home.


Sun sets over the Coniston Fells climbed today

Bow fell and the Langdale Pikes over Windermere