Wednesday, 24th September 2008

 

Walk: Wrynose Pass, Cold Pike, Pike O'Blisco then Windermere to Orrest Head and return
Start Point: Three Shires Stone Grid Ref: NY 277 027
Distance: 6 miles Ascent: 2,170 feet
Weather: Clear skies with excellent views as we started but hazy in the distance as we reached Cold Pike
Accompanied by:

Marie

Comments: Setting out on a cold, but clear day the aim of our walk was to explore The Needle on Black Crag, as depicted in Wainwright's Southern Fells, after first topping out on Cold Pike and Pike O' Blisco. We headed initially up to Red Tarn, then up the Crinkle Crags path before turning off to Cold Pike. After retracing our steps to the hause we climbed the rocky path to Pike O' Blisco. After photos at the cairn we walked across to the secondary cairn, from where we could see the footpath to Black Crag. We found that the best route to the needle was to walk round the front of the crag and climb up from there. After lots of photos we headed back to the cars. As it was still quite early in the day we drove into Windermere and walked up to Orrest Head. It took us 15 minutes to get to the lookout and 10 minutes to walk back down. There were some good views, but again the photos were hazy in the distance. It was an extra bonus to find out that this summit is one of the Outlying Fells.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Three Shires Stone on Wrynose Pass

 

Westmorland

 

Comberland

 

Lancashire

 

Looking down Wrynose Bottom to Harter Fell

 

Cold Pike seen across Red Tarn

 

Across Red Tarn to Great Knott with Crinkle Crags behind and Bow Fell in the distance

 

Iron oxide red soil at the paths junction with Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell on the horizon

 

Pike o' Stickle and the Langdales from the path to Cold Pike

 

Cold Pike

 

Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell from Cold Pike . . .

 

and again from lower down

 

Packing up

 

Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell from Pike o' Blisco

 

Pike o' Blisco

 

Looking back to Cold Pike from Pike o' Blisco

 

South-western cairn on Pike o' Blisco

 

Marie prepares her poles to descend

 

Great Langdale Valley

 

We spot The Needle as we walk in front of Black Crags

 

It certainly looks impressive . . .

 

on closer inspection it looks like it's about to fall off

 

The view that Wainwright drew in his Pictorial Guide

 

Yet another view

 

Windermere from Orrest Head

 

Red Screes and Caudale Moor

 

Ill Bell, Froswick and Thornthwaite Beacon from Orrest Head

 

Orrest Head

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