Even though High Stile is our favourite summit to wild camp on, Pike o’ Stickle certainly comes in at a close second. With its prominent position looking over Mickleden, and being surrounded by impressive tops like Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Harrison Stickle, the views are simply superb in all directions. If that isn’t enough, the pitch location just a couple of feet away from a drop of 600 feet, keeps the excitement flowing; just remember where you are when you get out at 2am for toilet duties!
On this occasion we decided to park at Stonethwaite in Borrowdale and walk the distance to the Langdale Pikes via High Raise, which is another superb summit that provides fantastic views of the Southern, Western and North Western Fells. The next morning we returned via Ullscarf, and then we took an unorthodox pathless route from Low Saddle to Dock Tarn, however, an easier route to High Crag from Low Saddle can be used if you choose not to visit Dock Tarn. Please note that a great water source can be found at Dungeon Beck, between Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle.
Looking back to Stonethwaite from Greenup Gill
During the initial stages of our journey, through Stonethwaite and Greenup Gill, our attention is drawn behind us to the lovely scenery.
“The mile-long Stonethwaite valley is typical Lakeland scenery – crags, boulders, birches, bracken, old walls, crystal waters and bright green pastures. Lakeland at its very best and most charming!” High Raise 7
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The tip of Lining Crag appears over the upper cascades of Greenup Beck.
Lining Crag and High Raise (right) from Greenup Gill
“Upon topping this rise, Lining Crag is well seen directly ahead beyond a depression, with the headwaters of Greenup Gill in a hollow to the right.” High Raise 7
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Looking back to Eagle Crag and Greenup Gill, from Lining Crag
Alfred Wainwright describes the upper basin of Greenup Gill as “a strange upland valley of moraines!”; personally I find it magical, and the view from the top of Lining Crag has to be one of the best in Lakeland.
Jaclyn and Frankie on the summit of Lining Crag
Looking back to Low White Stones from the ascent of High Raise
The Western and North Western Fells from the summit of High Raise
High Raise, contender for the best summit view in Lakeland?
“The most that can be said of High Raise, with certainty, is that its summit is the maximum elevation of the central axis or watershed. Hereabouts the surround of mountainous country is complete, the western arc being occupied by a tumultuous skyline….” High Raise 2
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Here we traversed the western flank of Thunacar Knott to take a more direct route to Pike o’ Stickle. The head of Harrison Combe is to our left and the valley of Langstrath to our right.
“The surroundings are dull but interest is sustained by the striking sugarloaf appearance of the Pike….” Pike o’ Stickle 5
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Harrison Stickle from the summit of Pike o’ Stickle
It’s when you see the shadow of Pike o’ Stickle that it reminds you that you are on such a ‘pointy’ top.
High Raise (left) and Thunacar Knott (centre) from Pike o’ Stickle
Sunset over Bowfell from Pike o’ Stickle
Sunrise over Harrison Stickle with Loft Crag (centre)
As you can see, Harrison Stickle will block the sunrise at certain times of the year, so timing is essential; I think I just got away with it in early March.
First light on the Gables and Glaramara
How wonderful to wake up to inversions over the Vale of Keswick and Langstrath.
Blea Tarn and Great Langdale from Pike o’ Stickle
As you can see in the picture, there’s only enough room for one tent on Pike o’ Stickle; who needs a neighbour anyway?
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell at sunrise
Great End, Great Gable and Glaramara from Pike o’ Stickle
A distant Ingleborough over Loft Crag, with Harrison Stickle (left)
Loft Crag and Great Langdale from Pike o’ Stickle
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Pike o’ Stickle
Glaramara and the distant Northern Fells (right) from Pike o’ Stickle
Glaramara and inversion over Langstrath
Inversion over Vale of Keswick and Langstrath
I don’t think my wonderful family are wanting to go home!
The Coniston Fells over Pike o’ Blisco and Cold Pike
Jaclyn is like a sniper with that camera!
Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike and Great End
Langstrath inversion flowing into Mickleden
Yet again Pike o’ Stickle casts a shadow, this time on the edge of Martcrag Moor. It was amazing to watch the inversion flow over the edge, and to see the Rossett Pike Ridge acting like a dam.
Glaramara over Martcrag Moor inversion
Great Gable (centre) over Martcrag Moor
It was fantastic to witness this fog bow (left side) on Martcrag Moor. Sadly Jaclyn missed this as she stayed with the tent on Pike o’ Stickle.
Fog bow (right side) over Stake Gill
Bowfell and Pike o’ Stickle from Loft Crag
High Raise and Thunacar Knott from Pike o’ Stickle
It’s now time to leave and head home. Frankie checks out the route as we scramble off Pike o’ Stickle.
Looking back to Pike o’ Stickle (left) from Thunacar Knott
High Raise is full of surprises!
Heading to Ullscarf from Greenup Edge
“Were it not for an old fence that crosses the top this would be a very bad place in mist for there are no natural landmarks to serve as guides and the wide and indefinite ridge changes direction repeatedly.” Ullscarf 2
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The Helvellyn Range from the summit of Ullscarf
“The top of Ullscarf is a cheerless place, even in sunshine; in storm there is no vestige of shelter. All is grass on this vast summit, and the only adornments are a cairn and a line of forlorn fence posts running both ways to the horizon…” Ullscarf 10
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Approaching High Saddle and Low Saddle, with Blea Tarn (right)
Watendlath Tarn and Blea Tarn from the summit of Low Saddle
“From Low Saddle there is a beautiful view northwards, Watendlath Tarn, Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake appearing in line one above another” Ullscarf 7
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Grange Fell and Watendlath Tarn from Black Knott
From leaving Low Saddle we took an unorthodox pathless route over Black Knott to Dock Tarn, however, an easier direct route to High Crag can be used if you choose not to visit Dock Tarn.
Looking back to Black Knott over Dock Tarn
High Crag from Willygrass Gill
Eagle Crag and Rosthwaite Fell from Willygrass Gill
Amazingly, before we started the descent into Stonethwaite, we noticed the very tip of Pike o’ Stickle peeking over the flank of Sergeant’s Crag, seen left of centre in the picture; High Raise is the dome top just behind Eagle Crag and Sergeant’s Crag.
Thank you for visiting.
Richard Jennings