THE
LANGDALE PIKES, THUNACAR KNOTT & PAVEY ARK
from NEW DUNGEON GHYLL HOTEL, GREAT LANGDALE
(Allen completes Book 3 - Central
Fells & passes 200 Wainwrights)
Summary
Date - 8th October 2009
Distance - 6.3miles Ascent
- 3164ft
Map - OL6
Start point - New Dungeon Ghyll
Hotel (NY 296064)
Summits Achieved
Name
Height (ft)
Height (m)
Grid Ref
Thorn Crag
2106
642
NY 2801 0713
Loft Crag
2238
682
NY 2774 0713
Pike o'Stickle
2324
709
NY 2740 0735
Harrison Stickle
2414
736
NY 2818 0739
Thunacar Knott South Top
2372
723
NY 2797 0799
Thunacar Knott North Top (Wainwright
summit)
2351
716
NY 2791 0813
Pavey Ark
2288
697
NY 2846 0790
Preface
Allen, Grizzly & Tetley, were
sitting quietly, pouring over the recently produced list of the
70 odd Birkett Fells that remain to be climbed. They had Bill
Birkett's book too, and were trying to see which might be easily
done in the shorter days of the coming winter.
"I think those in the far
north and west will probably be left until next year",
commented Tetley.
"Yes, you're probably right",
replied Grizzly, "as they will involve Dad in long drives to
reach the start points."
Just then Shaun trotted in with
Little Eric, who had hitched a ride on his back.
"Something's afoot", he
said. "I noticed Dad has got one of the Wainwright books on
his bedside table.
"That could be good news for
Allen and I as he must be considering doing some of your
outstanding ones", said Little Eric.
"I'll go and find out",
cried Allen, as he rushed off in search of Dad.
It was not long before he was back.
"We are doing the Langdale Pikes on Thursday", he cried
with glee. "I have longed to do this walk, and Dad said we
he will take me to the other tops so that I will finally complete
Book 3. Oh and there will be a Birkett top, that we will tick off
too."
"Great" chimed in Tetley,
"it will be good to do that walk again."
The Walk
Thursday finally arrived and we
were up early impatient to be off, and as soon as Dad put his
gear in the car we rushed out and settled on the front seat.
"It's chilly this morning",
commented Grizzly.
"Yes", agreed Tetley,
"there is definitely an autumnal feel, but it looks like we
will have plenty of sunshine too"
Finally we were off, having said
our goodbyes to Uncle Brian and the Hug. We drove to Windermere
and then continued north by the lake to Ambleside, where we took
the road towards Coniston. At Skelwith Bridge, we took the right
fork towards Great Langdale. To our left we espied the small
pretty lake of Elterwater. Soon after this we entered the Great
Langdale Valley and suddenly there were high fells all around us.
"Look Allen", called out
Shaun. "Those are the Langdale Pikes on the right."
They towered up and dominated the
scene.
"I'm in for a great day for
sure", replied Allen.
Before long we reached the sign for
the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel. Just on the right of the road was a
large and convenient car park, and was our start point. As Dad
got ready we looked out to the fells we were shortly to climb.
The bracken covered slopes were to
be the area of initial ascent, but the actual objectives are
hidden behind, although Harrison Stickle can be seen behind on
the right.
Crossing the road we walked along
the drive to pass by the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.
Beyond we passed through a gate,
crossed a pasture and going left through a wall gap joined for a
short way part of the long distance path the Cumbria Way. After
another gate we then turned right by the wall. We knew very soon
that we were on the correct path, as the seat shown on the map in
Wainwright's guide was reached. Although it seemed too soon to be
resting, Dad did sit a while so that we could enjoy the fantastic
view over Oxendale to the Crinkle Crags with to the left the
large bulk of Great Knott, dappled in the morning sunlight.
Along our path ahead was the stile
in the wall, where we then went left crossing Dungeon Ghyll, and
starting the climb in earnest.
There are waterfalls on the ghyll,
and we could hear the water cascading down, but sadly they are
hidden by trees. After a steady climb, the gradient levelled as
we crossed west over the open fell, before the final steeper
ascent to the col between Thorn Crag and Loft Crag.
If you have read other of our
stories, you will know that Dad is very fond of the lovely
Herdwick sheep that inhabit the fells. We were to see many today,
including this one that posed looking directly at Dad.
From the col it was just a short
easy climb to the cairn marking our first summit of the day Thorn
Crag. This was a Birkett top, which we all bagged. Looking across
the col, Loft Crag and Pike o'Stickle our next two were clearly
in view.
First we crossed the other cairn on
Thorn Crag (it was difficult to tell which was higher, so having
been to both, we could with certainty say we had reached the
summit). Then descending to the col we crossed to Loft Crag. You
can see the rake we took climbing left, before the short ascent
right to the summit
As we jumped out and arranged
ourselves on the cairn, Allen shouted, "get the camera out
and take our picture." Well it is about time we put in an
appearance.
This is the first of the three
Langdale Pikes. The others were to follow next, namely Pike o'Stickle
and Harrison Stickle. Eager to be on our way we settled again in
the rucksack. Then Dad descended the rocky path towards Pike o'Stickle,
seen ahead rising dramatically.
As you can see it falls away to the
left, almost vertically down to the valley called Mickleden. Our
ascent was accomplished by a rocky scramble up the right side.
Away over the valley we could see The Band, a ridge that rises
from Stool End Farm in Great Langdale to a col. Going left takes
you over the Crinkle Crags, pictured earlier. To the right is the
steep climb to Bowfell then leading to Esk Pike and Great End,
this latter buttressing the Scafell Massive. Beyond, Great Gable's
massive bulk stood proud, and more distantly we could see Skiddaw,
which we had climbed recently. All these fells and more were in
view, making for an awe inspiring panorama.
Shaun then piped up. "Hey,
Tetley and Grizzly, do you recall last time we were here, when
that jet fighter flew below us along the valley."
"Yes", they both replied,
"it was awesome!"
Of the Langdale Pikes, just
Harrison Stickle remained to be summited, a half mile away to the
east. You can just see the narrow path we followed rising to the
summit.
Before setting off
however we looked south to study Loft Crag,
The lower top to the left is Thorn
Crag. The distant lake is Windermere, and the smaller body of
water Elterwater.
To accomplish reaching Harrison
Stickle, it was first necessary to reverse the scramble we had
made up Pike o'Stickle. Then a clear path over ground boggy in
places led to the final steep ascent to its rocky summit.
Allen let out a cheer as he sat on
the cairn, and then exclaimed, "wow Dad just look at that
amazing view of Great Langdale, you must take it for our story."
Dad was happy to oblige...
There were lots of people up here
including a group of about 10 walkers, who arrived just as Dad
was taking our picture, so he hurried to free up the cairn.
The lady leading the group saw us
and suddenly said to Dad, "I have seen you before, on
Wetherlam, where I took your photo".
After a moments thought Dad replied
"yes I remember it well."
What a coincidence!! The picture in
question is included in the story of our adventure to Wetherlam
in July 2008.
We spent a bit of time here
including having some lunch, and giving Dad a well earned rest.
He also took a few pictures, some of which we have included below
-
Here some walkers rest on the
summit.
While away to the east is the
mighty Helvellyn Ridge.
From the left - Helvellyn,
Nethermost Pike & Dollywagon Pike. The fell in the background
in the gap is St Sunday Crag with Seat Sandal in front. Then to
the right is Fairfield, with High Rigg running down right from it,
and Hart Crag behind.
Well it was time to be off again
and we headed north to Thunacar Knott. This modest top, has two
summits neatly divided by this small but pretty tarn. The fells
behind are from the left Bowfell, Esk Pike and Great End, with
below this Allen Crags, the fell that Allen is named after.
Now the fact that Thunacar Knott
has these two summits makes an otherwise dull fell more
interesting. The south summit is the highest point at 2372ft and
thus the Birkett summit. To the north is another cairn at 2351ft
here seen from the 2372ft point.
It was necessary to visit this too,
as this is the point that Wainwright considered the summit. This
done, Allen & Little Eric had now bagged both the Birkett and
the Wainwright. This was also Allen's 200th Wainwright and here
he is with his pals at the cairn.
From the south summit, Dad picked
up a narrow path over boggy and rocky ground to reach the rocky
tor summit of Pavey Ark. The last of the day, and it marked Allen's
completion of all the 27 Wainwrights in Book 3! To mark the
occasion he had his picture taken on his own as well.
After pausing to enjoy the views
Dad made his way north to find the descent path known as the
North Rake. It is very steep and rough the path being rather
eroded making the going harder. His knees suffered some pain on
this descent and he was very glad to get down to Bright Beck and
across on an easier path to Stickle Tarn, above which Pavey Ark
and Harrison Stickle looked majestic. By the outfall we stopped
again to eat some more of our picnic. Dad took this shot of Pavey
Ark too.
Just the descent of Stickle Ghyll
had to be accomplished to regain the Car. This was rather easier,
as parts of this path have been reconstructed so making it like a
stone staircase. There were a number of falls on the Ghyll, and
here are two shots Dad took of them.
Close to the bottom we met a couple
from Devon, and Dad chatted to them. They saw us and thought the
idea of us climbing all the fells was fantastic. They had spent a
week here and had done some good walks. They were going home the
next day, so we wished them a safe journey. By now it was after 4
o'clock, so Dad decided just to drive straight home after a great
day.