Wainwrights: Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag
Just back from another crackin' day in the Lake District chilling at The Hayloft, our camp site's very own and pretty decent restaurant, shipping Old Rosie. If you want to get pickled after just one pint, right after some outdoors exercise, this 7% cider will do the trick nicely.
Drove down to Buttermere a bit later than expected, but we had to pay the local butcher a visit to get some bits and bobs for tonight's BBQ and some breakfast items. Somehow managed not to buy a ridiculous amount of food and off we drove on a single track road towards Buttermere.
Got a bit lucky with the parking and started our walk around 11:15. Down into the village we walked and towards the lake marvelling at the towering hills all around. Grasmoor serenely towered over Crummock Water not needing a spectacular shape to impress. Whilst Fleetwith Pike sat at the other end of Buttermere Lake as if it was a gatekeeper for anyone who wanted to leave the valley.
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| Buttermere Lake |
We took the steep steps up towards Red Pike which still hid behind the lump that is yet another Dodd (There are quite a few hills with "Dodd" in their name. People must have run out of ideas, this one simply called "Dodd".)
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| Up through the forest |
Eventually, we cleared the forest and zigzagged up through open hill side on a rocky path until it met Sourmilk Gill and led up along it. This must be the coolest name for a stream anywhere in this country!
We had a wee break at Bleaberry Tarn which sits like quite a few others right in the middle of a rocky amphitheatre. This time we were marvelling at the impressive Chapel Crags and our objective number 1 for the day: Red Pike.
We had a wee break at Bleaberry Tarn which sits like quite a few others right in the middle of a rocky amphitheatre. This time we were marvelling at the impressive Chapel Crags and our objective number 1 for the day: Red Pike.
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| Chapel Crags and Red Pike on the right. |
Having recovered a bit from the steep ascent so far, we tackled the final push up Red Pike on a very steep red scree slope. T his surely must be the most difficult war of climbing this fell.
Views from the top were absolutely stunning with Grasmoor and Mellbreak to the East and Ennerdale to the South along with countless peaks of which we could only name very few.
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| Grasmoor's massive bulk to the right Mellbreak on the left. |
We didn't longer long, it was sunny but also quite breezy up here.
Next up was the highest peak of the day: High Stile. We walked along the ridgeline with the path sometimes only being half a metre away from certain death, whilst climbing ever higher.
Before we knew it we were at the 807m top. Time for a lunch break. Found a spot somewhat sheltered from the wind, enjoying the amazing views.
Up next was High Crag. Down and up the rocky path we went, whilst the massive round shape of Great Gable dominated the horizon.
Next up was the highest peak of the day: High Stile. We walked along the ridgeline with the path sometimes only being half a metre away from certain death, whilst climbing ever higher.
Before we knew it we were at the 807m top. Time for a lunch break. Found a spot somewhat sheltered from the wind, enjoying the amazing views.
Up next was High Crag. Down and up the rocky path we went, whilst the massive round shape of Great Gable dominated the horizon.
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| Great Gable sitting majestically at the end of Ennerdale. Wow! |
After a knee crunching descent we went up and over Seat before reaching the saddle between Seat and the now impressive rocky lump of Haystacks.
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| Haystacks |
Haystacks must certainly be one of the big ticket items. Still, I left the decision to carry on to Rich. Funny enough I really was indifferent. We've had had a cracker of a day so far and it was already 15:45. I'd just as happily sit outside with an ice cream cone than carry on over Haystacks.
He was quite knackered and opted for the way home, to which I happily obliged.
He knew how much I liked ticking off hill tops, but for once I wasn't sad about it. My feet were sore again (Don't walk without socks in knackered trail running shoes like I had the day before.) and sure I could've carried on, but there's no harm in leaving a great hill for another time, when you can really appreciate it.
With tired limbs we made our way down to the lake shore and walked along it back to the village.
He was quite knackered and opted for the way home, to which I happily obliged.
He knew how much I liked ticking off hill tops, but for once I wasn't sad about it. My feet were sore again (Don't walk without socks in knackered trail running shoes like I had the day before.) and sure I could've carried on, but there's no harm in leaving a great hill for another time, when you can really appreciate it.
With tired limbs we made our way down to the lake shore and walked along it back to the village.
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| Lake Buttermere. |
Arrived just two minutes to five, just about in time to get an ice cream from the cafe. Result.
What a cracker of a day we've had! Although covered in a layer of red dust mixed with dried sweat, you could tell that even Rich was sporting something resembling a tan. He normally just burns, peels and then turns pasty white again. I was on my way to chocolate brownie by now, without even trying.
Drove back to Keswick to get some last bits for the barbie, filled up the car and ended up downing aforementioned Old Rosie.
Brilliant day!
What a cracker of a day we've had! Although covered in a layer of red dust mixed with dried sweat, you could tell that even Rich was sporting something resembling a tan. He normally just burns, peels and then turns pasty white again. I was on my way to chocolate brownie by now, without even trying.
Drove back to Keswick to get some last bits for the barbie, filled up the car and ended up downing aforementioned Old Rosie.
Brilliant day!
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