Snowless on Bowfell and the Crinkles

[dav2930]

Another Wainwright-fest for Karl, we originally had this one planned for the Sunday, but a change in the forecast prompted us to go for the Saturday instead. Glad we did as it turned out.

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Set off just after 08.30 on a perfect, frosty morning, heading for our first peak of the day, Pike o' Blisco. Clearly there was no snow on the fells to speak of - quite unusual for January.

Frosty morning at the head of Langdale

The fells were glowing in a light of burnished gold; the views just got better as we got higher.

Landale Pikes from slopes of Pike o' Blisco

Towards the top a few little rocky steps make for some mild scrambling. Pike o' Blisco may not be as high as some of the other fells nearby, but is just as craggy - a fine peak with a great view.

Bowfell from Pike o' Blisco

Langdale from summit of Pike o' Blisco

Landale Pikes from Pike o' Blisco

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Pike o' Blisco

Having taken in the splendid views it was down to Red Tarn then continuing up the wide path for Crinkle Crags. At a small cairn on this path we diverted left across marshy ground to take in Cold Pike's rocky little summit.

Pike o' Blisco from Cold Pike

From Cold Pike we took the direct route across the moor to re-join the main path up to the Crinkles. After the first Crinkle we could see the 'bad step' and noticed some folks ahead avoiding it to the left, but we decided to go straight up it as it's shorter and, in any case, it didn't seem right to traverse the Crinkles without doing the bad step. It really isn't that bad!

Looking down Crinkle Gill

Bowfell from Long Top

The Scafells from Long Top

Bowfell from near Three Tarns

A steady plod up the well-graded path from Three Tarns took us to the summit of Bowfell, where we stopped for a long and indulgent lunch break. A very clear atmosphere, bright sunlight and white mists drifting around made for some amazing views. To the south and west a sea of cloud stretched off into the distance courtesy of a temperature inversion.

Scafell and Scafell Pike from Bowfell summit

Langdale Pikes from Bowfell summit

From Bowfell looking along the Crinkles to the Coniston Fells

Zoom to Dow Crag

Summit of Esk Pike

Scafell Pike zoomed

View north from Esk Pike

Bowfell from Esk Pike

At Esk Hause we were treated to the sight of a Brocken Spectre.

Brocken Spectre near Esk Hause

Esk Pike from Esk Hause

As we approached Angle Tarn the sky was beginning to look rather murky with grey cloud coming in from the east.

Angle Tarn

The weather was decidedly on the change. The blue skies and golden sunshine had gone now, but at least they'd lasted long enough to make for a magical day.

From our last top, Rossett Pike, we took the long way into Mickleden via Stake Pass, rather than back-tracking for Rossett Gill; we wanted to hold the heights just that bit longer.

The long length of Mickleden from Stake Pass

Mickleden always seems a long way at the end of the day, but is at least flat with a good path along it. A grey twighlight was setting in by now. Eventually we spotted the welcoming lights of the Old Dungeon Ghyll, but when we got there it was just too crowded. So we de-booted and drove on to the NDG, which was also too crowded (Stickle Barn being closed for repairs). This was Saturday evening in Langdale after all! Fortunately there was room at the Wainwright's in Chapel Stile; so it was there that another great day on the hills was rounded off nicely with a pint of ale and a bowl of chips!

[martin.h]

Great account of a near perfect winters day, pity there's no snow about but you're photo's show the Lakes are fantastic, with or without.
Thanks for sharing,
Cheers.

[johnkaysleftleg]

That looks a stunning day in the fells Dav, shame about the lack of snow but I'm sure the broken Spectre made up for it.

[trailmasher]

Nice one dav, a great walk done in excellent conditions some very nice pics there as well Pity about the ODG being packed as it's just when a livener is needed soon after arriving back after a hard day on the hills

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Great report on a superb circular route! I especially like the photo showing the perfect profile of the Langdales from the slopes of Pike o'Blisco.

The lack of snow compared to last weekend when we were there is extraordinary.

Tim

[dav2930]

Great account of a near perfect winters day, pity there's no snow about but you're photo's show the Lakes are fantastic, with or without.
Thanks for sharing,
Cheers.

Thanks Martin. It was a shame the snow from last weekend hadn't lasted as it might have been nicely consolidated. I do agree though that the Lakes are fantastic with or without; I'm very lucky to live on their doorstep. Cheers!

That looks a stunning day in the fells Dav, shame about the lack of snow but I'm sure the broken Spectre made up for it.

Yes we were lucky to catch such great conditions for most of the walk, and the Brocken Spectre was a real bonus - I haven't seen too many of those! Thanks JK

Nice one dav, a great walk done in excellent conditions some very nice pics there as well Pity about the ODG being packed as it's just when a livener is needed soon after arriving back after a hard day on the hills

Thanks TM. Yeah the Wainwright's has nothing of the history and atmosphere of ODG - and the barman that night was a surly old stick!

Great report on a superb circular route! I especially like the photo showing the perfect profile of the Langdales from the slopes of Pike o'Blisco.

The lack of snow compared to last weekend when we were there is extraordinary.

Tim

Thanks Tim! An extraordinary contrast indeed; I was gutted not to be able to get out that previous Saturday - had to wait in for a new washing machine to be delivered!

[mamoset]

Some cracking pics there dav of a grand day out and an interesting route

[dav2930]

Some cracking pics there dav of a grand day out and an interesting route

Thanks mamoset!

[ChrisW]

That's a good long day Dav with beautiful conditions for the most part and lovely photos along the way. The change in weather seemed a bit sudden but you certainly made the most of it beforehand.

[dav2930]

That's a good long day Dav with beautiful conditions for the most part and lovely photos along the way. The change in weather seemed a bit sudden but you certainly made the most of it beforehand.

Thanks Chris. We had no complaints when it clouded over as we'd had more than our fair share of sunshine and glorious views. Wouldn't have minded if it had started snowing - we could do with some of the white stuff in this part of the world just now!

[Alteknacker]

Fabulous day for what is, to judge from the pics, a great route. When I did a similar route (but anti-clockwise) it was sadly all in clag (and I discovered the joys of walking in circles .... ) so it's good to see how marvellous it is. Great stuff.

[dav2930]

Fabulous day for what is, to judge from the pics, a great route. When I did a similar route (but anti-clockwise) it was sadly all in clag (and I discovered the joys of walking in circles .... ) so it's good to see how marvellous it is. Great stuff.

Thanks AK. It is so much nicer when you can see the views! One can get a bit jaded with walking in the clag - and I can vouch for that mystifying tendency to walk in circles!

[Alteknacker]

I should have said also: some cracking pics, that have cemented a resolve to do a Langdale round in good weather.

I particularly like "From Bowfell looking along the Crinkles to the Coniston Fells"

[great_gable]

love the photo's

[dav2930]

I should have said also: some cracking pics, that have cemented a resolve to do a Langdale round in good weather.

I particularly like "From Bowfell looking along the Crinkles to the Coniston Fells"

Glad you liked that one as it's my favourite too! Thanks AK

love the photo's

Thanks gg