Above the clouds: High Cup Nick

[pgrizz]

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A most unpromising start to the day as we drove over Stainmore on the A66; the mist was down and it looked set for the day.
Arrived at Dufton and no change in the weather: a couple of old farmer types did not help the mood with their comment, "You're gonna get wet up there today". Whilst part of me agreed with them another part was optomistic of better things to come. Always listen to the inner you!!
Off up the track beside the wonderfully named Pusgill and skirting past Dufton Pike, I resisted the urge to make the detour which turned out to be a shame. Camera still in bag!
Arriving at remains of old mine buildings at Threlkeld Side I sensed the mist was becoming thinner with a hint of blue so out came the camera.

Lime Kiln: Threlkeld Side

Things were decidely improving as we ascended and at about 1500 feet (457 metres) the mist started to clear above us, but not below us. Today looked like being a good one.

The route ahead is clear: Threlkeld Side

Looking down Threlkeld Side into the mist

The views looking back were exrtaordinary as we could just make out the hills of the Lake District peaking out above the cloud base.

Distant Lakeland Hills.

The day's first objective was Great Rundale Tarn, a place I had been intent on visiting but never got round to. The outflow feeds Maize Beck which is a major tributary of the River Tees. The tarn was still frozen even though we were now in bright, warm sunshine. It was after all just above freezing point with no wind.

Great Rundale Tarn

After making a complete circuit of the tarn we headed for our next objective Backstone Edge which is an escarpment overlooking the Eden Valley and I must admit to being a bit taken aback with the views that greeted us!

Cross Fell and the Dun Fells from Blackstone Edge

Dufton Pike poking out of the cloud.

You can see why I was a bit "dischuffed" with myself for not ascending Dufton Pike.
And when I thought it couldn't get any better we got our own fly past!!

Fly past!!

Backstone Edge has several large cairns

Cairns: Backstone Edge.

If the weather had changed now I would have been quite happy even with the highlight of the trip still to come: High Cup Nick. High Cup Gill creates an almost perfect u-shaped glacial valley and the views today were ones to "dream of". I will stop writing and let the pictures take up the story.
For those of you who have been here you will know what I mean, if you haven't I hope this inspires you to go!

From Narrowgate Beacon

Eastern Cliffs

The head of the gill

The actual "nick" in the name is the scree filled gap. The whole valley is called High Cup Gill.

Western cliffs through the "nick"

The eastern cliffs looked quite menacing!

Cliffs

The Pennine Way passes close to the edge under Narrowgate Beacon

Pennine Way: High Cup Gill

The Western Escarpment has many rock pinnacles

Looking across High Cup Gill form the Pennine Way

The gill nearly filled now

The views south from here across the Eden Valley were stunning

Looking south

Murton Pike and the Eden Valley

But it was now time to leave and head back to Dufton so we headed south west along the pennine Way and back into the mist but time for one last picture

Back into the mist

The rest of the walk was spent in clinging mist just as it was 6 hours earlier: it hadn't lifted in the valley at all.
A most memorable day.
This is what High Cup Nick looks like from the south, obviously taken at a different time (8th October 2009)

The valley of High Cup Gill from the south

.
The End!!

[skuk007]

Stunning photos pgrizz, the light in them is just perfect. You should feel chuffed with those.
I must admit this walk was one of the first on my to do list when I decided to start up walking as a serious hobby, still not done it.

[pgrizz]

Stunning photos pgrizz, the light in them is just perfect. You should feel chuffed with those.
I must admit this walk was one of the first on my to do list when I decided to start up walking as a serious hobby, still not done it.

Thank you very much "skuk007"

[Paul Webster]

Second that, absolutely magic inversion pics, has High Cup ever looked so good as in those shots?

[canisp]

A fabulous set of photos from a day in a thousand, thanks for sharing.

[pgrizz]

Second that, absolutely magic inversion pics, has High Cup ever looked so good as in those shots?

Thank you.

[pgrizz]

A fabulous set of photos from a day in a thousand, thanks for sharing.

Cheers. The weather made for spectacular views.

[ndhudson]

Wow, spectacular pgrizz!!! Almost unworldly. I've looked through this report 4 or 5 times now, in awe! Thanks for posting these fab pics!!!

[pgrizz]

Wow, spectacular pgrizz!!! Almost unworldly. I've looked through this report 4 or 5 times now, in awe! Thanks for posting these fab pics!!!

Thanks a lot for that comment: makes the effort worthwhile.

[colgregg]

An excellent series of pics from one of the most spectacular spots in The North. Some great cloud features, too. The cloud covered Eden valley shot is excellent. Some of the shots are reminiscent of photographs you see of smoking volcanoes. High Cup, along with Cauldron Snout and High / Low Force, are the highlights on arguably the best few miles on the whole Pennine Way. High Cup, for first timers is best approached from the North (my opinion), via the "alternative" Pennine Way path (not crossing the large Bridge) as nothing is seen of the huge drops until you are practically at the very edge. I was there last year and it's one of those places that once seen you cannot wait to return to it. Another visit is due before long.
My report and (not as good) pics.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4256

[Rekrab]

Amazing pics!!!!

MacKenzie

[pgrizz]

An excellent series of pics from one of the most spectacular spots in The North. Some great cloud features, too. The cloud covered Eden valley shot is excellent. Some of the shots are reminiscent of photographs you see of smoking volcanoes. High Cup, along with Cauldron Snout and High / Low Force, are the highlights on arguably the best few miles on the whole Pennine Way. High Cup, for first timers is best approached from the North (my opinion), via the "alternative" Pennine Way path (not crossing the large Bridge) as nothing is seen of the huge drops until you are practically at the very edge. I was there last year and it's one of those places that once seen you cannot wait to return to it. Another visit is due before long.
My report and (not as good) pics.
http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4256

Having "done" High Cup from most directions I feel that the route mentioned here is the best and the "wow" factor can still be gained by following the line of tarns and walking in from the north.
Thanks for the comment Colin.

[pgrizz]

Amazing pics!!!!

MacKenzie

Cheers. A matter, as with most photography, of being in the right place at the right time..

[GarryH]

Cheers. A matter, as with most photography, of being in the right place at the right time..

And you certainly timed this one right super pics

[pgrizz]

Thanks Garry for that.