Angle Tarn & Rossett Pike from Old Dungeon Ghyll

[malky_c]

Hewitts: Rossett Pike.
Date: 20/09/2023.
Distance: 13.5km.
Ascent: 640m.
Time: 6 hours, 15 minutes.
Weather: Breezy and overcast with a couple of heavy showers.

Having enjoyed a short afternoon on Sheffield Pike on our way down to Langdale on Monday, I briefly thought that would be our biggest day out. Tuesday had been a complete washout and we had gone out for a short run to Skelwith Force and Colwith Force - both had as much water outside of them as they did in! The forecast for the next few days didn't look greatly more promising either. In addition, Jackie's parents had been involved in a rather scary shunt on their trip up on Saturday and were now without a car as well as a bit shaken.

In the end they decided that getting out for a walk would take their minds off the situation a bit and after a poor start, Wednesday looked as if it would clear up a bit. Jackie's dad was very keen to go up Rosset Gill so we all drove down to the Old Dungeon Ghyll in my car and walked up Mickleden from there.

Rossett Pike.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Near Old Dungeon Ghyll

Gimmer Crag on the Langdale Pikes

The weather had improved greatly above us but still looked to be hanging over Bowfell and the other more western summits. Despite the odd shard of sunshine, much of the path was still beneath flowing water for the walk along to the foot of Rossett Gill. After passing the turning for Stake Pass we stopped for some lunch.

Jackies parents heading along Mickleden

Stool End and Pike o Blisco

Rossett Pike above Mickleden Beck

Pike of Stickle

Contrasting weather in Mickleden

Looking back to Pike of Stickle

Approaching Rossett Gill

When Jackie's dad had expressed an interest in Rossett Gill, I hadn't realised that he meant the gill itself rather than the path! Jackie's mum was less keen but we ended up leaving the path and following the stream bed up to the top of the pass. It wasn't difficult but there was definitely some loose rock around and it didn't look like many people went this way these days (I'm sure one of the original Wainwright guides bemoans the use of the direct route when there was a barely-used pony track zigzagging up to the left hand side but 60 years on, the pony path now appears to be the only route used).

Up Rossett Gill

Looking back down Rossett Gill

Lingmoor Fell

Jackie's parents had been undecided about what to do once we reached the top of the pass, but they decided to come with us for the short descent to Angle Tarn - obviously we would need to swim there!

Angle Tarn

Jackie swimming in Angle Tarn

We just about managed to swim for a few minutes and get our clothes back on before a shower moved in. Jackie and I decided to go over Rossett Pike and back down Stake Pass while her parents settled for following the Rossett Gill path back down largely the way they had come.

Langdale from Rossett Pike

Rossett Pike is fairly insignificant but it is in a nice central spot and quite rugged. We missed the shortcut to the top of Stake Pass and ended up going over Mansey Pike and around the back of Langdale Combe before descending the zigzags back into Mickleden again. We thought we could see Jackie's parents about 10 minutes ahead of us but it took some time and effort to catch up with them again.

Langdale Pikes from Rossett Pike

Looking down Mickleden

NE across High Raise

Bowfell from Rossett Pike

Looking down Langstrath

Descending Stake Pass

Looking back up Stake Pass

For the walk back to the car, it was still wet underfoot but the water levels had dropped in the burns significantly since the morning. Not a bad wander for such an unpromising day.

[Sgurr]

I did this in July, having failed to do it in March when the path was more or less covered and the wind was really high. Angle Tarn was where SimonP and his brother, then aged 15 and 14 went to test out their new sleeping bags between Xmas and New Year. The poles of their tent snapped (£3-50- from Exchange and Mart)& the outer blew away and they encountered MRT looking for someone else on the way back. A totally Ripping Yarn, I said how I missed things like this from the old Scottishhils.com site, and he sent me a copy.

[goth_angel]

I did this in February - Rosset Pike is a nice spot. Didn't do the swim though. Looks a good place for it!