

So the walk was arranged with Trailmasher, and as it was set fair, Tuesday was decided on as possibly the best bet.
A more civilised departure from Middlesbrough was agreed as this isn't a long walk so we left at 07:30 to arrive at T.M's for 9ish. After the hello's, comfort break & the obligatory coffee we were off, up over the Honister pass to to arrive at Gatescarth farm parking lot for 10:20, just as well we didn't arrive any later as the car park had only a couple of spaces left!
boots on, quick sarnie! and we're walking by 10:30

crossing over the road & through a couple of gates heading South to the "triangle of trees before turning left
and heading Eastwards on the easy to follow path towards the steady beautiful ascent towards Scarth Gap.
The weather was glorious albeit with a coldish wind coming from the North West, but within 15 minutes of walking it was time to lose a "skin",
as we made our way up the path stopping every so often just to admire the views which where getting better with every metre of height gain!
Not too long later we reached Scarth Gap,
where the decision was made to take a breakfast & coffee break before ascending Haystacks. Tralmasher enjoyed having his coffee back with him after forgetting it last time we were out on the Pennines Saturday gone

It was whilst we having a break we spied a couple making there way up then down from Haystacks, we weren't too sure what was going on but presumed that the lass had a change of heart whilst ascending over the "rock slab"? break over we started moving towards the ascent of the summit and noticed that the couple were on there way back up (again!) so we stayed a distance behind not wanting to become embroiled in a :domestic"!

Not too long later we reached the twin summits of Haystacks and WOW what a view!
surely one of the best in England?
We also bumped into the couple we saw earlier & after TM had asked if all was ok ( she said the wind caught her out) but had been up here many times before, we moved off to look around and Eva loved the fact she was surrounded by some of the "big uns" and the beautiful valleys below, a quick look about and we're heading down off the back towards Innominate tarn.
at the tarn
We are now heading Northwards towards the Bothy at the foot of Fleetwith Pike & our next stop of the day.
We reached it in good time and took a more leisurely lunch has we had made good time and just enjoying the sun especially when we are out of the cool wind


After a short stop off we advanced onto Fleetwith Pike which is only a short hop away
where we take a last little breather before making the brave choice of walking straight off the Western edge,
This way off is pretty steep but the views it gives down the Buttermere valley are outstanding and well worth the effort although is probably not for for the faint hearted!


Not too long after leaving the summit we are down for a quick look at Fanny Mercers cross
Its then just a short easy stroll back to where we started at the car park.
This has been a great walk with magnificent panoramic views & great company with a touch of comedy on the way round (the couple on Haytacks!) and is definitely in my short time walking the fells a firm favourite of mine that i will definetly do again in the future
