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moon-over-pike-o'stickle

Many thousands of walkers trail up to steep eroded path to Stickle Tarn and complete a circuit of Pavey Atk and Harrison Stickle before heading back down the steep eroded path. As worthy a walk as this is much of the appeal of the Langdale Pikes is missed and I prefer a leisurely ascent up Mickleden and approach Pike O’ Stickle from the more remote moors to the west. The paths are so much more pleasant, the scenery ever changing with the full perspective of the Langdale Valley witnessed and enjoyed whilst the dramatic rock scenery is viewed rather than risked; the descent between the underrated Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle offering some dramatic views including in to the proper Dungeon Ghyll. My most recent climb was in the snow which adds drama and excitement to the route.

Recommend: There are 2 possible extensions to the basic circuit, my favourite is to add Rossett Pike although the climb up Rossett Gill is tortuous whilst a full circuit of the Langdales can be made by continuing over Pavey Ark and the easy descent to the east.

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mist-clears-below-scafell

The circuit of Scafell Pike and Scafell is a well deserved classic particularly if the ascent is via Lingmell and not the eroded path where the hordes completing the National 3 Peaks fight up. The highest point of England (3210′) is eventually reached but it is on the crossing to Scafell that the walk comes in to its own. The col at Mickledore is a place of legend and requires sensible decision making. There are 3 options here – my preferred option is Lords Rake, a 200foot drop to the north side finds an opening in to a shattered rake of loose rock which bends steeply through the Scafell rock face at a point just before the ‘unstable’ pinnacle. I did Broad Stand (the direct and quickest route) when I was young but the 12 foot slab scares me a little now and I would avoid it, particularly in the wet or on a descent. The 3rd option is a 500 foot descent on the southernside of Scafell to Foxes Tarn – not particularly appealling, a bit dull but safe. However it is spectacular stuff around the Scafells and most seem to complete the crossing safely even if they do have a story to tell!

Recommend: Take the track up the shoulder of Lingmell rather than the more obvious one up the Gill

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sharp-edge-winding-to-foule-crag

I believe that the scramble up Sharp Edge on Blencathra is probably as much fun as you can have on any Lake District fell. Sharp Edge is clearly seen all the way from the drive on the A66 to the perfect little Scales Tarn where the ridge starts. The only problem I have with the ridge is that it is too short and emerging on to the saddle brings a sense of disappointment that that the fun is over.  In fact the ridge can be divided in to two; along the almost horizontal crest (a path to the right avoids some but not all the difficulties – best stick to the crest) before the steep slabs of Foule Crag (pick your route) complete the route. Away from the ridge the climb from Scales to Scales Tarn is thoroughly enjoyable with the return on the other side of the Tran, along Scales Fell even better. The views on this east ridge are absolutely superb. Pick a  clear day

Recommend: Being on the smoother rocks of the Skiddaw Slates means this is considerably trickier in the wet and in particular if you use the ridge on the way down. Best fun is going up the ridge in dry conditions.

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ullswater-from-birkett-fell

I have always had a special affinity with the wonderfully airy ridge leading to Clough Head from Helvellyn, offering a high level panorama on soft turf and ever changing views. The Dodds (Stybarrow Dood, Watsons Dodd & Great Dodd) straddle the middle section of the ridge; a switchback of rounded summits either overlooking St Johns in the Vale and Thirlmere or back over Ullswater and the fells near Helvellyn. The climb up from Dockray and Dowthwaitehead Farm is simple (better than the steep slopes to the west) and has the dual advantage of views back over the lake at Ullswater and a start close to the one thousand foot contour line. I have included the section on the main ridge on my favourite linear walk which stretches from Kirkstone Pass to Threlkeld – this is really high level walking at its very best.

Recommend: I like to add the extra 2 miles to the circuit which takes in Clough Head and a closer study of the many ridges leading up to Blencathra before dropping down to join the wide bridleway known as the Old Coach Road.

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descending-from-st-sunday-crag

St Sunday Crag climbs gracefully out of the Ullswater valley at Patterdale but is often ignored for the nearby compulsory Helvellyn visit. This is only for the positive as I found when I visited the summit recently. Striding off the summit area and along the long ridge of Birks gave me a wonderful perspective of Striding Ridge and the Helvellyn massif and another aspect of the best of all lakes, Ullswater. It is also why it is best to start with the valley walk along Grisedale all the way to the lonely tarn at Grisedale before turning back towards St Sunday Crag – clearly if it is cloudy it matters less! The walking is very good throughout and the near 8 mile circuit is one that I would recommend to anyone with no hesitation.

Recommend: Stick to the ridge at all times – as is suggested by Wainwright any descent on its flanks are fraught with difficulty and at best unpleasantness

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ascent-of-red-pike

The long high ridge of Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag separating Buttermere and the less popular Ennerdale looks almost impossible to penetrate for the walker. A direct assault from Buttermere offers a mix of scree and heather clinging to the steep sides which in turn cast a long shadow over the valley floor (in autumn and winter Buttermere does become dark and often cold from an early hour). Myself Paul, Pete and Wayne tackled the direct route up Red Pike on a ‘typical’ English summer’s day passing the classical glaciated corrie of Bleaberry Tarn on route. The climb is almost unremittingly steep  for 2150′, however the Fix the Fells team have been hard at work and created an easier and more pleasant route at least on to the tarn and the Saddle but the final few hundred feet can be torturous. The ridge itself is typical of the west fells, being rough and largely pathless. In the mist it is possible to become a little confused near the summits and ending up with surprising views of the Ennerdale Forest (he says from bitter experience). The decent is again steep all the way to the col with Haystacks seen to great effect and it is only the final walk along the lake where you can afford to walk without full concentration on where to put your feet!

Recommend: There is no better example of the work done by ‘Fix the Fells’ than the steep slopes of High Stile. More information here.

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angle-tarn-reflections

I completed a walk on Beda Fell in Martindale a fe weeks ago and felt vaguely unsatisfied. I definitely left with the feeling I had cut it short and really a full circuit of the valley would make a considerably better walk. So, I returned and it is! Angletarn Crags is one of the most enticing spots in the Lake District anyway, the little rocky twin summits providing fabulous views both near and far. Further on the route passes over the bulk of Rest Dodd before sliding down to the graceful peak of the Nab. There is always a slight feeling of guilt whilst crossing the Nab as it is officially on Private Land with no walkers access but the reality is that the landowner seems fine as long as care is taken – the path suggests many suffer the guilt! Martindale is a superb valley in its own right and pleasant to explore with a lovely 17th century church and good views from Combe Heights.

Recommend: Keep your eyes pealed on the Nab and around Martindale for the deer – they will be there

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the-steeple-ridge-from-haycock

Ennerdale is the only valley in the Lake District without a public road so any walk in to the mountains within its depths is always longer and more of an effort than the other valleys; it almost feels more Scottish although to be fair the forest road offers reasonably quick access. To the north the High Stile ridge is unappealing and much better done from Buttermere but to the south there are some intriguing ridges leading down in to the forests. None more so than Steeple (2,687′) which, along with Pillar, is Ennerdale’s mountain. The ridge is as good to walk on as it is to look at (no difficulties) and heads like a beeline to the small summit area whilst providing excellent, and ever changing views of Pillar’s dramatic north face. From the summit a small inter connecting ridge leads to the broad plateau of Scoat Fell (2,760′) and the highest point on the walk) and an easy walk over to the craggy heights of Haycock (2,618′). The descent over Tewitt Fell shoulder to the crags of Lingmell is the best line and there are some excellent views down Ennerdale completing what is a wonderful, and unusual, day on the high fells.

Recommend: Try adding the southern shore path on Ennerdale, it will probably take at least 1/2 an hour more but, if time permits, is worth the effort.

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little-langdale-from-wetherlam-ridge

Graceful is not always used describing the larger fells to the south and west of the Lake District but a walk up Great Carrs and back down Wetherlam certainly fits the phrase. Wet Side Edge and Wetherlam Edge form a beautiful horseshoe which drew my eye when passing through Little Langdale a few years ago. I came back and tackled Great Carrs first – the ascent is more gradual and easier on the legs as it curves round south to approach the summit. The summit is nothing special, with the exception of the remains of a Halifax which came down at night in October 1944 killing 8 (7 Canadians), as it is overlooked by nearby Swirl How but there are some spectacular cliffs a few yards to the west so beware! Wetherlam, which is reached by a steep descent from Swirl How, is one of my favourite Lakeland mountains. The land is potholed with old mining shafts and there is great views over the full Coniston round; the descent off Wetherlam Edge caps a great, but not overly strenuous, day in the fells.

Recommend: A detour to Grey Friar is worth the extra mile and a half not just for the tick on this out of the way summit but for its unusual views of the Scafell range.

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mosedale-above-wasdale-head

Just the names Pillar and Steeple were enough to create a flicker of awe and mystery to me as young boy. I remember my two elder brothers heading over to Wasdale many moons ago and it felt like they were up to something special, something rather scary but certainly very exciting. Even now the round of Pillar and Steeple is one of the great Lakeland walks, as much for the remoteness of Wasdale as for the circuit itself. I have climbed them from Ennerdale which has the one, and only, advantage of views of Pillar Rock, but the best route is the circuit which heads off for Black Sail Pass and crosses over the vast bulk of Pillar, Little and Great Scoat Fell, takes a detour to Steeple before taking in the long ridge of Red Pike and dropping steeply down for a well earned pint at the hotel. The terrain over the tops is mainly rough (particularly on the Scoats) but the views are fantastic with Great Gable and the Scafells seen at their best and a fascinating panorama down the length of Ennerdale. It is possible to lengthen the walk by including Kirk Fell and Yewbarrow at either end but this makes for a very long day and time is better spent exploring the the cliffs of Pillar and Red Pike

Recommend: Leave the steep descent near Yewbarrow as a descent – starting with the 1,000 foot pull would finish you off before the day starts!

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