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The High Stile Ridge

Wainwrights: High Crag, High Stile, Red Pike (Buttermere)
Hewitts: High Crag, High Stile, Red Pike (Buttermere)

Date walked: 13/08/2015

Time taken: 7.5 hours

Our annual (wish it was more) trip to the Lakes led to the Matty and Will requesting some scrambling and a long ridge walk. The High Stile Ridge walk looked perfect for this especially as we hadn’t walked this area before.

We parked in the Gatesgarth Farm Car Park near Buttermere in glorious weather. Blue skies and clear summits. Perfect.
The initial climb was stunning with views of Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere itself, and also a clear view of the ridge of High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike to come.
Haystacks.jpg
Haystacks

Fleetwith Pike.jpg
Fleetwith Pike


First aim for the day was to reach Scarth Gap which lies between Haystacks and Seat. A tough haul up but gaining altitude quickly. At the crossroad on Scarth Gap we turn right for our scramble up Seat. This was fairly challenging due to the loose scree but the boys loved it and definitely an interesting way up Seat.
Seat Scramble.jpg
Steep Scramble to Seat

Maybe not that way.jpg
Maybe not that way


The view of High Crag from Seat makes it look a challenging and scree climb.
Seat to High Crag.jpg
Up there


However, the good zig zag path soon gains height although tough in the heat. There is some scree towards the top to finish the climb.
High Crag Scree.jpg
Path up HIgh Crag

Towards top of High Crag.jpg
Scree to the Summit


Obligatory Summit Shot
High Crag Summit.jpg
On Top of High Crag


Lunch on top of High Crag with glorious view of Ennerdale and the Scafells.
Ennerdale and Scafells.jpg
Scafells in the distance

Matty and Ennerdale.jpg
Beautiful View


Next objective is High Stile, highest point of the days climb at 2,644ft. Lovely walk in this weather over craggy ground and Eagle Crags overlooking Buttermere.
Towards High Stile 2.jpg
Towards High Stile

Towards high Stile.jpg
High Stile from the Crags

Views of High Stile.jpg
High Stile


The climb up the back of High Stile is quickly sorted for more views in fantastic weather.
High Stile Summit.jpg
Lads on High Stile


With the last peak of the day in Red Pike in sight , the boys didn’t like that we had to lose altitude climbing down crags to get off High Stile. However, once down it’s a pleasant walk up to the summit of Red Pike.
Red Pike.jpg
Views to Red Pike

Red Pike Summit.jpg
Tired but summit 3 of the day


The descent from Red Pike to Bleaberry Tarn was possibly the hardest part of the day. Very steep and loose rocks made this very slow going. Red dust getting everywhere. I kind of wished we had carried on to Starling Dodd and come down another way as it was so bad.
Red Pike Down.jpg
Some very steep dusty moments


Bleaberry Tarn was crystal clear and we spent time watching for fish.
Bleaberry Tarn.jpg
Crystal Clear


The path down to Buttermere was good but hard on tired legs. However, the stroll beside Buttermere back to Gatesgarth Farm raised spirits again, and what a fantastic days walking we had.
Buttermere.jpg
Beautiful Buttermere

Path Home.jpg
The Path back to Gatesgarth


Traditional Ice cream and pint of coke in Keswick before returning to the North East, tired and a bit sunburnt. What a day!

PS. All photos taken on my phone. Unfortunately, someone left the camera at home :lol:


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Comments: 4



Blencathra Hall's Fell - Our first ridge walk

Attachment(s) Wainwrights: Blencathra
Hewitts: Blencathra
Date walked: 12/08/2013
Distance: 7km
Ascent: 860m
Comments: 8
Views: 10822


Helvellyn - Mattys first mountain

Attachment(s) Wainwrights: Helvellyn
Hewitts: Helvellyn
Date walked: 23/08/2012
Distance: 10km
Ascent: 350m
Comments: 6
Views: 16269

MarkyMark10


Activity: Munro compleatist
Pub: The Rockcliffe
Mountain: Snowdon
Place: Glen Coe
Gear: Canon E500 DSLR
Member: N/A
Camera: Cannon E500 DSLR
Ideal day out: Ridge Walk
Ambition: Three peaks in 24 hours

Munros: 1
Wainwrights: 12
Hewitts: 14



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Statistics

2015

Trips: 1
Hewitts: 3
Wainwrights 3

2013

Trips: 1
Distance: 7 km
Ascent: 860m
Hewitts: 1
Wainwrights 1

2012

Trips: 1
Distance: 10 km
Ascent: 350m
Hewitts: 1
Wainwrights 1


Joined: Aug 24, 2012
Last visited: Sep 11, 2016
Total posts: 24 | Search posts