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PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
A lovely late summer day with terrific air quality giving super long range views today. Our ( me Sue and Lynn) target today was to visit the two little Birketts at the head of Mickleden.
Looking up to the head of the valley on the walk up to Stool End farm. I think our two fells are either side of the dip in the centre of the photo ( Buck Pike left and Black Crag right). We could have just walked up the valley gone either way up to the ridge and been back in the pub by dinner time, but where's the fun in that? So we decided to make a day of it by taking the Climbers Traverse to Bowfell and coming around to the ridge from the back.
Old tractor, Stool End farmhouse and Langdale Pikes.
Rather than get to the high ground via the Band we headed around to Oxendale and climbed Whorney Side. Crinkle Crags are the fells directly ahead.
One of several lovely clear pools passed on the way. A few weeks ago I might have been tempted to have a dip but temperatures have dropped quite a bit over the last few days and whilst it was still warm climbing it was a little chilly when stopped.
Whorneyside Force with another little pool beneath.
Pike O' Blisco seen from the top of Hell gill.
The last bit of the climb is a bit of a grassy plod but we met the main path on the Band at the cairn which marks the start of the brilliant climbers traverse path.
Zooming over Lingmoor to the Howgills in the distance
The Climbers Traverse snake across the side of the hill.
Bowfell Buttress ahead.
Bowfell Buttress and a climber ( near the bottom in blue)
After having a drink from the waterspout we started the steep climb beside Cambridge Crag. As it was dry I climbed straight up the Great Slab.
Brilliant view from the slab. the dappled light on the fells was wonderful to see. Rollover to see an annoted view
Englands highest fells brilliantly seen from Bowfell top.
And zooming in on Englands' highest people.
My camera has a panorama feature but it's a bit of a faff to use so I just took a few pictures freehand and joined them with a program on my Pc. It's not perfect but still gives an idea of the superb view from Bowfell. ( click for a bigger version)
After leaving the summit we wandered over to the top of Bowfell Buttress from where we looked down to the Climbers Traverse and the bottom of the Great Slab.
Langstrath from Ore Gap.
Angle Tarn.
And Angle Tarn with Hanging Knotts behind this time from the stepping stones over the outflow.
We then set a course and headed for the little top of Buck Crag. Bowfell behind the girls.
Our next top, Black Crag has the perfect view of Mickleden.
Looking down into Langstrath from the path to Langdale Combe.
From here you'd think that the Great Slab was inaccessible to mere walkers.
Back to the valley floor but looking up to Pike O' Stickle.
Nearly back at the ODG now for a welcome and refreshing drink.