Avoiding the Crowds in Langdale

[johnkaysleftleg]

This walk seems like an age ago now, probably because it was. I've not been out since due to a holiday to New York/Toronto and some work that needed doing in the house. As I'm hoping to get out this weekend sometime I thought I'd catch up with this report. ( I did get out on that weekend but still didn't finish this report till now)

The plan for the day was to clean up the fells and tops in the Southern part of Langdale, the Wainwrights for round two and the other assorted tops I hadn't previously visited. The problem with linking the three most southerly Wainrights of Langdale is the relative isolation of Lingmoor Fell meaning a large chunk of the height gained in climbing it would be lost to get to Pike O'Blisco, still an early start ment I had all day so could take my time.

I parked up at the National Trust CP on an overcast but promising morning and set off through the camp site with Hughie in tow for the first target of the day.

A little sunlight on Blea Rigg by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Mist on Bow Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Side Pike is a fine top with minor scrambles both up and down provideding some early morning entertainment. Before I knew it I was removing my pack to slide through the squeeze and make my way up Lingmoor fell.

The Langdales by Anthony Young, on Flickr

looking up Mickleden by Anthony Young, on Flickr


The tight squeeze by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Back towards Side Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Blea Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Along the wall to the Langdales by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Lingmoor Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I arrived at the summit of Lingmoor and had breakfast, it had been a fine start to the day with nobody else about, and this continued as I made my way back downhill towards the Blea Tarn road.

Lingmoor Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Windermere from Lingmoor fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie on Lingmoor Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Crinkles and Bow Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Langdales from the top of the descent to the road by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The spell was broken as I descended the last few meters with the noise of complaining children emanating from a passing car I was soon off the road and heading up a vague path when I turned at this point to see a large group of walkers ascending Side Pike, so glad I set off early to avoid this gaggle heading to the top of the diminutive fell, Imagine getting stuck in a queue to pass through the squeeze
As we gained height a trod was discovered which I followed for a while until it became obvious it was heading fro the main path up Blisco. I didn't fancy this and as the Birkett of Blake Rigg was my next target I headed off a broad green gully towards the low crags of Bleaberry Knott.


Side Pike from the Road by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Crowds setting off up Side Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Blea Tarn House by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A short scramble (probably unnecessary in truth) got me to the top of Bleaberry Knott enabling a easy wander to Blake Rigg for a few minutes sit and a snack. Blake Rigg is well worth a visit, away from the crowds and with some fine views it more than holds its own with some tops with their own chapter in the guides.

Cairn on Bleaberry Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back to Bleaberry Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Pike O'Blisco from Blake Rigg by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie Larking about by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie Still Larking about by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The next target of Wrynose Fell or Long Crag if you prefer, did not look as promising as I could see no particularly individual top between Blake Rigg and Pike O'Blisco but set off to find it nevertheless. Once located it was indeed a bit Meh so on we went to join the main route up Blisco. Here other walkers were finally encountered at close quarters including a couple gingerly manhandling a crag fast Labrador down one of the small scrambles on the path, Hughie's diminutive stature certainly has it's plus points.

The Coniston Hills from somewhere on Wrynose Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Langdales and a boggy tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Coniston Fells from Long Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Long Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back along Greater Langdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Pike O'Blisco summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

We didn't linger long on Pike O'Blisco and set of on the now relatively busy path towards Cold Pike. Another large amount of height is lost between these two fells so I was fairly tired when I trudged the last few yards to the final Wainwright of the day. A want for a bit of solitude ment that I didn't have a rest but headed off towards the other two far less visited tops of Cold Pike which are Nuttals. (2000ft+ and 15m (50ft) of drop)

The Langdales from the top of Browney Gill by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Crinkles from Cold Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back to Cold Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cold Pike West Top by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cold Pike Far West Top by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Turns out these other two tops which are surprisingly not on Birketts supposedly exhaustive list, were worth a visit and we had a rest on the Far West Top to enjoy the views and solitude. The ups and downs were not over however because across Gatiscale Gill lay Little Stand. Little Stand often makes lists of best tops not to receive there own chapter and this fascinating top with wonderful views in most directions (including a great view of the Scafells) lived up to its billing. The view back to Cold Pike was also nice revealing a hidden and no doubt seldom visited tarn and giving a view to the true nature of the fell not seen from the usual view points.

Cold Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Scafells from Little Stand by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A Little Rest on Little Stand by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Little Stand by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Across Eskdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Almost all the ascent had now been done with only a couple of Birketts left to visit, the first Stonesty Pike was nothing more than a collection of boulders, a cairn and the view to the 'back' of the Crinkles and the final top, Great Knott being just off the main path but worth a visit as it provided nice views.

Stonesty Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Crinkle Crags from Great Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A final tally of eleven tops of various categorisations for the day was most satisfying with most visited at a time when we had them to ourselves (Hughie however prefers when other people are about so he can attempt to scrounge some rations ) as was the fact that as we were on our way down most of the other walkers out on this day were being challenged by some passing clag on the higher tops. It was a relatively quite walk back down to the car to end a fine summers day out around Langdale largely away from the crowds.

Clag coming in by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Follow the Red Brick Road by Anthony Young, on Flickr

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[trailmasher]

Nice one Anthony, good walk, report and photos to match I did this lot on a hot day in July 2016 and stuffed in the Crinkles with the long drop off from Ore Gap to the ODG making for weary feet

[johnkaysleftleg]

Nice one Anthony, good walk, report and photos to match I did this lot on a hot day in July 2016 and stuffed in the Crinkles with the long drop off from Ore Gap to the ODG making for weary feet

Thanks TM. The Crinkles were very tempting but as I was low on water (as were the fells TBH) I thought it best to beat a retreat to the car, not as if it's going anywhere.