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Part OneSilver How and the Chapel Stile Ridge8.34km
463m ascent
2 hours 20 mins
After a home cooked meal (my Mum is an amazing cook), a gloriously hot shower and a decent nights sleep in a bed, I was in no hurry to get up in the morning. My parents decided to head to church while I decided it was such a gorgeous morning that the mountain was my church and took the camera for a wander up some old haunts.
Leaving Elterwater I crossed the road and headed straight up the road for a few metres before joining a boggy path through the braken.
The views were stunning already – looking back I could see Loughrigg Fell and Wetherlam behind
I met a few people out who all agreed it was far too bonny a morning to be indoors. Reaching a flat grassy area I climbed steeply up a rocky and eroded path onto the ridge.
The views were stunning – behind is Great Rigg and Seat Sandal where I’d been the day before
As I walked along the ridge the Langdale Pikes came into view
It was absolutely roasting and I found myself wishing I’d brought my shorts. Continuing along the ridge I met a couple who seemed worried that I didn’t really know where I was headed
I assured them that I was just wandering, knew the area and had a map with me (as well as waterproofs, down jacket, extra gloves, enough food to feed a family of four, midge repellent, suncream, emergency bivvy bag and the rest of the kitchen sink
)
I found a cairn and decided it was the perfect opportunity for a wee Jaxter pose…
Looking back the way I’d come I could see Elterwater and down the glen to Windermere
Elterwater
As I continued along the ridge I came across a sheep that was sunbathing on the path….so used to people I managed to take a photo and walk right up to it before it moved
As I gained height along the ridge I could see the Langdale Pikes more clearly – it was tempting to keep going instead of returning home for lunch with the folks….
Langdale valley framed by Pike O Blisco, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and the Pikes
Down towards Grasmere
Lingmoor Fell with Wetherlam behind
Reaching a high point I got the big lens out…The Langdale Pikes taking centre stage; Harrison Stickle and Paveyark
Bowfell
Pike O Blisco
Paveyark – can see Jack’s Rake across the middle. Save that one for another day
Harrison Stickle with people on top
The whole panorama
Grasmere
It was time to head down as I had a deadline – Lunch
And also a plan to head out again in the afternoon.
Langdale valley
I found a gully to scramble down until a path materialised. It was steep downhill and got me down quickly and then a short road walk into Chapel Stile.
From here I walked along the river to Elterwater and was back in time for lunch and making plans for the afternoon….
Some time later....Side Pike & Lingmoor Fell13.53km
633m ascent
4 hours 20 mins
After lunch we set out down Langdale valley…It was still very warm (this time I’d got my shorts and soon stopped to put them on
) and the Pikes were in full view
We could see Dungeon Gyhll Hotel and the tourist route up to Stickle Tarn
We continued along the valley floor and as we rounded a bend we could see Side Pike, our target.
Pike O Blisco, the Crinkle Crags and Bowfell (just out of shot) were striking
As we progressed the path became a bit more boggy…here my Dad negotiates a boggy section but disappointingly made it across without mishap
Crossing a field
Looking up the Pikes
We met a path which climbed steeply uphill to the bealach between Side Pike and Pike O Blisco. The early evening light was making the end of the valley look awesome
Little Langdale Tarn
From here the climb up Side Pike itself began. The hill is made of layers of rock making the climb really interesting – like huge steps as you have to climb up rocky shelves. At some point as we climbed this section we realised that it was going to take a long time to get back….As what to do was discussed, I discovered I could zoom all the way to Easy Gulley from here
Paveyark
Harrison Stickle
Crags…
Bowfell and the Band
Figuring we may as well get to the summit before making a decision we climbed the last wee section and this tiny hill although only 350m high is such a great wee viewpoint
Langdale Pikes
Bowfell and the Crinkles
Panorama – Little Langdale to the Pikes
The folks
Had to happen….
It was definitely evening….
We headed back down to “the Squeeze” which I’d never heard of and my parents had found out about my accident. It consisted of a tiny gap that you had to take your bag of and go through sideways whilst breathing in
Mum makes it through….
Little Langdale tarn
Here it was decision time….all of the options were going to have us getting back later than planned
but the best plans are flexible. The folks decided to go to the pub and utilise their bus passes to get back down the valley
I don’t have a bus pass
Although a bus fare was offered, I decided that since it was shaping up to be a gorgeous evening and I walk fast, I would walk back over Lingmoor Fell.
It was an easy climb upwards towards Lingmoor Fell and I soon found myself much higher than Side Pike.
The Pikes with wee Side Pike in the bottom left
Side Pike
Wetherlam and Swirl How come into view
The evening light was making the Pikes look amazing
The sun shining on Pike O Blisco
The ridge continues….
Looking back again
Soon enough I made the summit of Lingmoor Fell
Swirl How horseshoe
Panorama time
Conscious of time I got going again. It was also pretty chilly when I was stopped
The path down the ridge was easy to follow and really enjoyable to walk. I knew I had been up there loads of times before but it was so many years ago
Rainbow over Windermere
Looking back
The English sure know how to build a wall
Another glance back
Swirl How and Wetherlam again
A final glance back
I’m not sure what this is….the map suggests Hard Knott
The ridge ahead
Back up the ridge
The sun dropping behind the hill
Chapel Stile
An easier gate-climb than I’m used to
Now on a track, I followed it all the way down to the quarry. The Pikes were just visible….
Quarry!
The Pikes once more
Reaching the river it was an easy stroll back towards Elterwater with rainbows for company…
I was back just before the rain started…able to dump my stuff and take the camera up to a high point in case the sunset materialised…it didn’t but the light behind the Pikes was an awesome end to an awesome day
The final day