High Stile, Low Visibility

[johnkaysleftleg]

I have finally got around to catching up on my reports from the summer, main problem being it's so long ago I can barely remember if anything of note happened

Anyway I took a bit of a chance on the forecast for this walk as the cloud base was due to be around the 700-800m mark for much of the day and on this occasion the gamble didn't pay off. The plan was to visit Scale Force and then make my way over the High Stile ridge and possibly beyond before returning to Buttermere.

I turned up on an overcast atmospheric morning which gave little cause for much optimism but as you can't control such matters it's best to just get on with it. I was fully expecting an easy stroll to Scale Force but in reality the path was rough and wet and given the still humid conditions I was rapidly uncomfortably hot. Soon enough however me and Hughie made it to Scale force so I broke the tripod out that I was lugging about and took a few shots. I didn't fancy the greasy scramble to get a closer look at the main fall so I made do with the combination of the two, perhaps another day.


A slightly misty Fleetwith Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr


...and again by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Buttermere woods by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Crummock Water by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Breakthrough by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Crummock Water agin with the NW fells in cloud by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Towards Newlands Hause by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Gate to Scale Force by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Scale Force, lower falls by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Scale Force by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Photos over with I continued up Scale Beck as the clouds started to close in. By the time I was slogging my way up Red Pike the inevitability of a viewless day had fully hit home and I must confess I wasn't enjoying the walk at this point. Perhaps I had a bit of a cold hanging about, perhaps my fitness wasn't what I thought it was or perhaps it was the humid windless conditions but I was struggling quite badly and by the time I got to the top I felt somewhat lightheaded. I took on plenty of water and had a rest alone, apart form Hughie, in the thick mist before heading off into the gloom.


Another higher fall in Scale Beck by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Scale Beck by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Following the path up Scale Beck by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Views going going.... by Anthony Young, on Flickr


....Gone! by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Hughie on Red Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

There was not a lot of point in taking photos along the ridge but I've included a small collection to show the terrific varied views I enjoyed I stopped and had lunch close to High Stile summit but even food and the lack of a sustained ascent wasn't making me feel much better, I still felt off and was also unable to find any kind of rhythm to my walking. Given this it was no surprise that I made a decent effort at getting lost on the way to High Crag as the GPS trail shows below.

It was a relief to be heading down but my lack of rhythm was obviously a problem on the lose part of the descent. With this in mind my decision to take the short cut to link up with the Scarth Gap path down to Buttermere wasn't the wisest. Maybes it was dropping out of the clag that clouded my judgement but needles to say if you've never used this way before its horrible and lose and certainly not the best when you're out of sorts.


Summit views by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Winding down by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Out of the clouds by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Hughie leads the way on the horrible short cut path by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Haystacks drama by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Getting to the main path was a relief and I finally started to feel a bit better as I quickly made the lakeside and the simple walk back to the car on the fine path. This walk won't be one to live long in the memory but it was still way better than a day at work and I suppose a lesson in coping when things don't go well.


On the way down by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Buttermere by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Fleetwith Edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Gatesgarth Farm by Anthony Young, on Flickr

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

[dav2930]

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling so good JK. It did look a rather gloomy day; being in thick mist like that is enough to dampen anyone's spirits. Despite that you still managed to get some very classy and atmospheric photos, as per usual! A substantial walk too in a pretty decent time - that path up past Scale Force to Red Pike is rough going! Like the title btw.

[nigheandonn]

I'm in exactly the same state with my summer walk reports, although I seem to have spent the time running round Scotland - I'm up to date with the lakes. I've written three and a half reports in the last three and a half days and don't feel much further forward!

I found it a real toil from Scale Force up to Red Pike, and I had no excuse, I think it just is.
Some lovely atmospheric shots, but it's a shame you didn't get the views you were hoping for.

[trailmasher]

Nice one Anthony, great photos despite your lack of fitness/enthusiasm or illness well done for soldiering on especially in those damp conditions Pity about the clag as it's one of the finest ridge walks about

[martin.h]

Not feeling quite right does dampen the spirits somewhat but you came away with some lovely photo's, especially the waterfalls, Buttermere is one of those places where a camera is essential, either in the valley or on the tops, fantastic scenery
Cheers.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling so good JK. It did look a rather gloomy day; being in thick mist like that is enough to dampen anyone's spirits. Despite that you still managed to get some very classy and atmospheric photos, as per usual! A substantial walk too in a pretty decent time - that path up past Scale Force to Red Pike is rough going! Like the title btw.

Cheers Dav. It was a bit disappointing especially as that's the second time I've hod no view from at least half the ridge, glad to see it wasn't just me that found Red pike rough going, that said the way up from Bleaberry Tarn is even worse!

I'm in exactly the same state with my summer walk reports, although I seem to have spent the time running round Scotland - I'm up to date with the lakes. I've written three and a half reports in the last three and a half days and don't feel much further forward!

I found it a real toil from Scale Force up to Red Pike, and I had no excuse, I think it just is.
Some lovely atmospheric shots, but it's a shame you didn't get the views you were hoping for.

Yes I've a whole holiday in Wales to catch up on Thanks for you kind comments regards Pics

Nice one Anthony, great photos despite your lack of fitness/enthusiasm or illness well done for soldiering on especially in those damp conditions Pity about the clag as it's one of the finest ridge walks about

Cheers TM, Its going to have to be third time lucky on High Stile I think.

Not feeling quite right does dampen the spirits somewhat but you came away with some lovely photo's, especially the waterfalls, Buttermere is one of those places where a camera is essential, either in the valley or on the tops, fantastic scenery
Cheers.

Thanks Martin, I always get tired and feel clapped out during a steep sustained ascent but I just didn't recover quickly on this walk like I usually do, been fine on all subsequent walks however.