~Crinkle Crags & Bowfell~
16th October 2010
I much prefer to write webpages whilst everything is fresh in my mind. This big walk was enjoyed two weeks ago and so the light has dimmed, but this is a great reminder of a memorable day. Simon Eagles, old classmate from schooldays joined me....
Simon spots a boulder
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Kettle Crag
We parked at the Old Dungeon Ghyll and set off for the slope of Pike O'Blisco. By reaching the stile at the top of the zig-zags from the campsite, it was apparent there had been a navigational error. We are too high up and had to trudge through braken to join the path, entirely my fault. The path can be seen to the left of the trees.
Stone Arthur (in sunlight)
Possibly my best photo of the un-photogenic Stone Arthur, assuming I have now found my bearings and named the fell correctly.
The Band from Pike O'Blisco
Simon and I chose to climb around the North side of the fell, known as Black Wars. It's well worth a visit, instead of making a beeline for the summit, families could have picnics in this vicinity. I did not find the "needle" as per AW's chapter, I think we were too high up.
Cold Pike
Cold Pike from Pike O'Blisco. Are you thinking what I was thinking? The ingredients are in place for a Brocken Spectre - low sun, wispy cloud, edges...
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Pike O'Blisco Summit
I got a text from fellwalker Simon Howard who had seen my car in the car park, he was on the flanks of this fell with Steve Procter. We waited for them and started to get cold, glimpses of the colourful spectres came and went. We had to move on and arranged to meet the others again on Cold Pike. See the links at the bottom of this page to see if any of the others saw a Brocken Spectre, we did not get a full one. But,if you've seen one, you've seem them all - I'm not bitter, Simon Howard!
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Great Knott and the Crinkles
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell
We are on top of Cold Pike, having found our way around the south side of Red Tarn. Simon H and Steve took a more direct route, so we met at the top at the same time.
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Cold Pike
The Langdale Pikes are in view from our second top of the day.
Howard and Procter
We are heading for the Crinkle Crags!
Pike O'Blisco (l) and Cold Pike (r)
Coniston Fells
See how many you can name (in other words, the author isn't sure).
Great! Langdale
We're now Crinkling 1,2,3,4 & 5, but first, or rather second, the Bad Step.
Steve makes it look easy - The Bad Step
Walkers can deviate to the left or right to avoid this obstacle.
Ratcliffe & Eagles on the Crinkle Crags - Long Top - the highest Crinkle
Aquanited c.1980 at QEGS Blackburn, reunited many years later. One great regret I have in life is having to go to Blackburn every school day for 10 years; Wainwright had the right idea - getting out.
Scafell
Three Tarns
One of my favourite places and views in the Lakeland fells. Steve takes a closer look. Perceptive viewers may only see one tarn, the others are not in the photo.
Three go up Bowfell
Simon Eagles on Bowfell
Simon is pleased to knock two more off his target of reaching 18 Wainwright summits this year - featured in a book he has. I expect he will try to do the full round in the course of time, so the time spent on Pike O'Blisco and Cold Pike has not been wasted - if ever it could be!
Messrs Howard & Procter on Bowfell
Crinkle Crags from Bowfell
This photograph shows why this walk is better done in the direction we chose - South to North. The views are unhindered by direct sunlight.
St.Sunday Crag
Zoomed in from Bowfell.
Simons on Esk Pike
Angle Tarn
Our route took us to the top of Esk Pike and then back to Ore Gap, then we descended down to Angle Tarn and headed for Rosset Pike.
All Four of Us
A passing fellwalker kindly took this photo, he failed to notice that we had feet.
Mickleden
Walkers: Simon Eagles and Me; joined by Simon Howard and Steve Procter.
Time taken: 8hrs 40m over a distance of approx. 12 miles.
Route: ODG, Pike O'Blisco, south side of Red Tarn, Cold Pike, directly to Crinkle Crags, Three Tarns, Bowfell, Esk Pike, back to Ore Gap, Angle Tarn, Rosset Pike, Rosset Gill, Mickleden, back to ODG.
Weather and conditions: Sunny intervals throughout. A bit chilly on the tops.
Greetings Count: Quiet initially, very busy on Bowfell, everyone was going down Rosset Gill at the same time.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Simon E was in a bit of a hurry to get home before the dog got his tea, so we didn't visit any pubs or cafes.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....