Sunday, 24th July 2011
| Walk: | Elterwater, Silver How, Blea Rigg, Sergeant Man, Thunacar Knott, Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle, Pike o' Stickle, Loft Crag, Mark Gate, Great Langdale Valley | ||
| Start Point: | Walthwaite, Elterwater | Grid Ref: | NY 329 051 |
| Distance: | 13.5 miles | Ascent: | 3,700 feet |
| Weather: | Sunny and warm | ||
| Accompanied by: |
8 members of the group |
||
| Comments: | With a good weather forecast and one of my favourite places I was really looking forward to this walk and I wasn't disappointed. Varying the initial route we soon made our way onto Silver How. After taking in the views we continued on to Blea Rigg, located easily by the Shelter Stone illustrated in Wainwright's Central Fells Pictorial Guide. Again changing the route from that taken on previous walk we then made our way up to Sergeant Man. Approached from this direction it makes quite a spectacular target. A more level path took us on to Thunacar Knott where we stopped for lunch. The more popular summits of Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle were then ahead of us. As usual Pavey Ark summit was the stopping point for another group and we quickly moved on to Harrison Stickle. Here three cairns adorn rocky outcrops and whilst the highest may be named as the summit, better views are available from the other two cairns. We group decision was then made to include Pike o' Stickle in the programme where it would seem that the path to the summit has been improved. However we enjoyed the scramble from slightly further along the path and descended by the easier route. Cintuing over Loft Crag we descended to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel via Mark Gate. A welcome stop for refreshments was made here before the return route along the valley. To add to the interest we were treated to a flying display by the Red Arrows - the finale of the Windermere Air Festival. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Looking over Chapel Stile to the Langdale Pikes and Bow Fell
Grasmere and Rydal Water
Silver How with the Langdale Pikes in the distance . . .
and a clearer view of the Langdale Pikes
Sitting in the balcony seats . . .
for our morning coffee break
Easedale Tarn
The Shelter Stone . . .
which Robb checks out for space (not much room)
Blea Rigg with great views into the Langdale Valley . . .
and over to the Langdales
Codale Tarn and Easedale Tarn
Stickle Tarn
Heading up to . . .
Sergeant Man . . .
and looking back from the path to . . .
Thunacar Knott
Windermere from Harrison Stickle
Pike o' Stickle with - the figures to the left give some perspective . . .
as does this zoomed in view of Sheila looking after the bags
John checks out the climbers on Gimmer Crag
Looking back to Pike o' Stickle from Loft Crag . . .
and into the valley from the cairn
Descending to Mark Gate and . . .
crossing Dungeon Ghyll . . .
for a well-earned drink
Large birds over the Langdale Pikes?
No, it's the Red Arrows . . .
putting on a show for the Windermere Air Festival . . .
and treating us to a show of our own . . .
as we return along the Langdale Valley
What an ending . . .
to a brilliant walk!