New Dungeon Ghyll - Easy Gully - Pavey Ark - Thunacar Knott - Harrison Stickle - Pike o' Stickle -
Loft Crag - Thorn Crag - New Dungeon Ghyll
7 miles, 2700 feet of ascent
The weather forecast said that there would be extensive hill fog although this would clear as the day progressed.
As I drove into Great Langdale, Pavey Ark was free of cloud and things didn't look too bad.
However, it didn't last. Stickle Ghyll was very murky and visibility was very poor.As I headed up Easy Gully it was clear that it would be anything but easy.
The boulders at the top were a real challenge as they were very slippery and greasy.
Having struggled my way out of Easy Gully I turned up North Rake and headed to the top of Pavey Ark. The ''intermittent wall'' is more intermittent than wall these days and as you can see the summit was quite boggy underfoot. The visibility was still not good and there were no views to be had in any direction.
I then made the short detour to Thunacar Knott (note the brand new Berghaus rucksack!)
Then on to Harrison Stickle (still no view)
On the way to Harrison Stickle I met a lovely couple, Ann and Keith from North Essex and we spent the rest of the walk together. I usually walk alone, but they were such good company that they made the walk even more memorable.
As we were leaving the summit of Harrison Stickle, the weather forecasters came good (it had to happen sometime) and the cloud suddenly lifted and we were treated to this view of Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle.
Pike o' Stickle is a stunningly good little summit with a cracking, rocky scramble to reach the summit.
It even has it's own miniature version of Yewbarrow's ''Great Door''.
Having reached the top of Pike o' Stickle the view of the next objective, Loft Crag, didn't disappoint either.
If you look at the bottom of Gimmer Crag you can see two rock climbers. A different breed!
Having climbed Loft Crag it was time to take in Thorn Crag and then head back down to the Walker's Bar at the New Dungeon Ghyll where a pint of Thwaites ''Original'' was beckoning.
On the way back along the valley there was some congestion, Lakeland style!
To mis-use the old cliche, it really was a game of two halves. The first half was damp with zero visibility and the second half was excellent with some really good views.
It isn't long since I climbed Jack's Rake hence the decision to go up Easy Gully today instead; it was certainly challenging due to the conditions. Having now been down it and up it, I think I shall give it a miss in the future. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt!!!
All photographs taken with either a Nikon D40X (10.2mp) or a Nikon Coolpix 4200 (4.2mp)
