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Lads Hike - Grasmere to Langdale

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Attachment(s) Date walked: 21/09/2022
Views: 131

The map should say 'Here be Dragons'

Wainwrights: Bowfell, Esk Pike, Rosset Pike
Hewitts: Bowfell, Esk Pike, Rossett Pike

Date walked: 11/10/2015

Distance: 15km

Not the most original route, or the most sparkling photos. So feel free to look away now....


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



Still here? Well here at least are 10 things I learned from a classic route around Bowfell, Esk Pike and Rossett Pike, on a cloudy summit day.

1. Bowfell is a monster. Taking it on up the band is a long old slog to get to your first summit of the day.
2. Camping at Three Tarns a couple of years ago was a lucky break. We had intended to go right over Bowfell and then camp somewhere further on as part of an Eskdale loop, but instead stopped, knackered, at Three Tarns, and then walked back out the next day with Bowfell unconquered. Having now got to the top of the thing I can now see that it would have been a long way before anywhere else to camp jumps out at you. So the one decent pitch at Three Tarns saved a world of hurt. Oh and it must have two of the best views around for a camping site - the Scafells to one side, and Langdale to the other. We saw those when we camped. On this walk however we pretty much saw the inside of clouds.
3. Bowfell is a monster. It beat us last time we tried to climb it (see the note on Three Tarns above!), and this time we may have got to the top but it seemed to spend the day spewing out steam like some old dragon to spite us as bank after bank of clag hung around. Right until we came out of the Old Dungeon bar to a wonderfully clear evening.
4. Maps tell lies if you let them. If you take just a quick look at the path back from Esk Hause to Rossett Gill, it is easy enough to conclude that its generally quite gently sloping down, with a few little bumps on the way. It isn't. Its a rollercoaster with as much up as down, or at least that's how it feels at the end of the day.
5. If it wasn't covered in clag, Esk Pike might just offer about the most commanding view in the district. there isn't much of note you cant see. It would make a fine destination in itself instead of seemingly always being an add on.
6. Bowfell is a monster. Wandering around in the clag at the summit it feels like there should be Terminators roaming about. The summit area is so shattered it feels entirely post apocalyptic. Trying to weave your way through the debris my thoughts were less about the majestic surroundings and mostly focussed on 'don't break an ankle or something will come and eat you!'
7. The cairned path over the top of the monster are terrific in fog. All three of us would have guessed the way down wrong without reference to the compass. Once we took a bearing the cairns did a great job.
8. Only an idiot would pass this close to the summit of Allen Crags and not have a quick jaunt up it. I am that idiot. But to be fair we were pushed for time.
9. The Old Dungeon bar does a pretty good fish and chips. They even take the skin off the Haddock. Just what you need after what feels like a monster walk back down from Rossett Pike and along Mickelden.
10. Angle Tarn may just have the coolest echo anywhere. At the risk of destroying the calm for miles around by pointing it out, do try it when you are next there. It is set in such a supreme amphitheatre at the foot of Bowfell's crags. Actually I say it is an echo but it just may be the monster shouting back! If it is, it seemed to be calling our dog. I would guess hoping to eat him.

Here are some pictures.

Scafells from Three Tarns.JPG
Scafells in Clag from Three Tarns


Great Slab.JPG
Spooky Huh?


Into the Mist.JPG
Into the Mist. Esk Pike is somewhere out there....


Esk Pike Pano.JPG


Esk Pike Pano2.JPG
Esk Pike Panoramas. Not much to see today


Angle Tarn.JPG
Photo Doesn't do Angle Tarn Justice


Bowfell and Esk Pike.JPG
Bowfell and Esk Pike


Heading Down From Rossett Pike.JPG
Heading Down from Rossett Pike

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Comments: 9



One for kids of all ages.

Attachment(s) Wainwrights: Brandreth, Fleetwith Pike, Grey Knotts, Haystacks
Hewitts: Brandreth, Fleetwith Pike
Date walked: 19/09/2015
Comments: 3
Views: 3922


The Grinch who Stole the August Bank Holiday

Attachment(s) Wainwrights: Hallin Fell, Place Fell
Hewitts: Place Fell
Date walked: 30/08/2015
Distance: 13km
Ascent: 850m
Comments: 5
Views: 3376


An Accidental 10 with a wild camp - Now with pics

Attachment(s) Wainwrights: Dollywaggon Pike, Fairfield, Glenridding Dodd, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike, Raise, Seat Sandal, Sheffield Pike, St Sunday Crag, White Side
Hewitts: Dollywaggon Pike, Fairfield, Helvellyn, Raise, Seat Sandal, Sheffield Pike, St Sunday Crag, White Side
Date walked: 01/06/2013
Distance: 24km
Ascent: 1950m
Comments: 3
Views: 6303

georgeaquaterra


Activity: Munro compleatist

Munros: 6
Wainwrights: 75
Hewitts: 39
Sub 2000: 1



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Statistics

2022

Trips: 1

2015

Trips: 3
Distance: 28 km
Ascent: 850m
Hewitts: 6
Wainwrights 9

2013

Trips: 1
Distance: 24 km
Ascent: 1950m
Hewitts: 8
Wainwrights 10


Joined: Apr 09, 2013
Last visited: Mar 26, 2024
Total posts: 21 | Search posts