Stickle Pike, Tarn Hill, Dunnerdale Fells and Great Stickle
3 January 2009
With a rendezvous planned for 11.30, today's walk had to be
relatively short, or start early. I choose what is becoming an old favourite, a
visit to Stickle Pike from Kiln Bank Cross, extended to include the other three
Wainwright summits to the south. I've now visited these on three out of the last
four New Year holidays, in a variety of different weather conditions. Today was
still cold with the ground hard, but overcast and gloomy and I wasn't expecting
the view I found.
The summit of Stickle Pike comes into view
Stickle Tarn
Stickle Pike from its south summit. Behind it is Harter Fell, and behind
that on the left are the Scafells, and on the right Esk Pike, Bowfell,
Crinkle Crags and Grey Friar
From the same point in the other direction, south to the Duddon estuary over
Tarn Hill, Dunnerdale Fell and Great Stickle.
And here's the promised unexpected view - North Wales. It doesn't come out as
well in the photo as it was in real life, where it was very clear, but Caernedd
Llewellyn is highest, 86 miles away; Snowdon is two summits to its right, 94
miles away. Although it doesn't show up on the photo, the Lleyn peninulsar could
be seen with Yr Eifl 106 miles away. Odd how on a gloomy day, the visibility was
still good enough to see over 100 miles.
A very large flock of birds flies past Caw. I'd seen them assembling the flock
almost two hours earlier on my drive to Broughton Mills, and now they were
underway - though where they were going, I've no idea.
From the top of Dunnerdale Fells, a view of the Duddon Valley and the hills from
Black Combe to Hesk Fell
En route from the top of Dunnerdale Fells to Great Stickle, we pass one of the
tarns for which Tarn Hill is named; the eponymous summit is just left of centre
Great Stickle just right of centre, with an unusual sight - a tree
Stickle Pike from Great Stickle. Time to follow a different route back to the
car in time for a superb steak at the Blacksmith's Arms.
Zoom in for more detail, or click to view larger map in new window
Another visit to some old favourites, with a surprise view. Total distance 5.2 km and
292 metres of ascent in 2 hours 4 mins
Lake District holiday, January 2009
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