Summary & Summits

Walk Blog

Sunday, and we were walking on our own, so it was decided to mop up another two remaining Birkett tops. The start point was the Old Dungeon Ghyll, in Great Langdale. As Dad drove up the valley, we enjoyed the dramatic view of the Pikes. Walked round the rear of the hotel to a gate, then on along the wide track through Mickleden. To the right tower up Loft Crag and Pike O'Stickle, while to the left rises the ridge of The Band. The day was mainly cloudy and cool, more so on the tops where there was a light wind. As the path curved right the objectives of today came into view - Rossett Pike, Buck Pike & Black Crag, sandwiched between Rossett Gill and the Stake Pass. Everywhere our beloved Herdwicks were grazing, so Dad was happily snapping away with the camera. After about a mile and a half, we crossed the footbridge over Mickleden Beck, where we immediately went right to climb the steadily rising path of Stake Pass. With all the bends on the path we thought Snake Pass would be a better name! Topping out the climb the path then goes right, crossing Stake Gill. To the right the ridge running to High Raise was clearly in view, and left to the Langstrath Valley. Our route was left on a narrow path towards the crags ahead, heading for Littlegill Head. We needed first to climb Black Crag, so a steep ascent over rock and grass had to be undertaken to get through the crags and eventually reach the summit of Black Crag. That out of the way the climb thereafter was easy. Terrific view down Mickleden but rather lost in the low cloud that hung all day over Bowfell. Great views to Allen Crags and the ridge to Glaramara. Walked on to cross Littlegill Head, then up to Buck Pike, the top marked by a small cairn. So that was the Birkett tops complete, and all that remained was to rejoin the path that led unerringly to the substantial cone shaped cairn on Rossett Pike. We had all bagged the first two, just Little Eric bagging this. In the same direction a short descent brought us to the main path, where turning left we made the steep descent down Rossett Gill. The old pony route is the path, winding down first away from the gill proper, before cutting under the lower slopes of Rossett Pike to the footbridge in Mickleden. The path has been substantially repaired too, and this time Dad got down without mishap. Then we stolled back along Mickleden to the car. A good day and another corner of Lakeland done. On the way home, Dad stopped at Brambles Cafe in Chapel Stile. Here he enjoyed a nice pot of tea with extra hot water, and gorgeous piece of chocolate cake.

Allen

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