Monday 8th September 2008

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll - Stickle Tarn - Jack's Rake - Pavey Ark - Harrison Stickle - Pike O'Stickle - Martcrag Moor - Stake Pass - Mickleden - New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 7 miles     Total Ascent: 815 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Clear becoming overcast. 17oC.

Route Map

The schools are back...and so am I! It was a great feeling to be back out on the high fells again after a busy summer and what has felt like an age. The weather turned up trumps too with almost perfect conditions at the start of the walk and Stickle Tarn was at its best being mirror finished.

Note: This walk involves the awkward (for walkers) Jack's Rake. Today I took Casper up there with me because I knew he could manage it okay; he is a Bearded Collie and they are bred to be on this type of terrain and he took it all in his stride.
Just because I went up there with my dog, it does not mean that any dog (or human for that matter) will be able to manage it - you have been warned!

I couldn't resist this early morning one - sunrise over a calm looking Coniston Water.

Stickle Ghyll was in full flow after the recent downpours.

It was roaring today.

The path to Stickle Tarn.

Lingmoor Fell and Great Langdale from the climb.

Casper has a relaxing soak!

The dam on Stickle Tarn.

Pavey Ark.

The view to the north-east.

Stickle tarn was mirror finished today. This is Harrison Stickle reflected in it.

Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Following the path around the tarn.

Harrison Stickle once more from the eastern end of Stickle Tarn.

Rounding the tarn to reach Jack's Rake.

Looking across to the Coniston fells.

The face of Pavey Ark. Jack's Rake is the diagonal line running up from the centre to the left.

Moody Stickle Tarn from the bottom of Jack's Rake.

It looks quite bright over that way but the clouds are ominously beginning to form beyond the tarn.

The start of Jack's Rake. It was a bit wet and greasy up there today after all the recent rain.

Looking back down the steep first section.

Great Langdale and Windermere from the first tree.

Continuing the climb.

You can do it Casper lad!

More cloud forming over the Vale of Grasmere.

Casper mirrors this prominent rock.

Climbing Gwynne's Chimney, Beardie style. He did well to climb Jack's Rake, only requiring a leg up here and there,

Stickle Tarn from Great Gully.

Looking across to Harrison Stickle.

The summit of Pavey Ark, High Raise to the right with low cloud over the northern fells.

This view from Pavey Ark shows the cloud thickening and it wasn't long before I was completely enveloped in the clag.

Casper on Harrison Stickle, still no view and it was like that all the way to Pike o' Stickle.

A fleeting glimpse of Mickleden from Pike o' Stickle. Stake Pass, the route of descent used later, can be seen zig-zagging down from top right to centre.

...and over to Martcrag Moor, the way we are heading next.

Back out of the cloud again descending to Martcrag Moor with a view all the way through to Skiddaw.

Glaramara from the boggy descent.

Looking across to Sergeant's Crag.

The Band and Crinkle Crags from the top of Stake Gill.

Mickleden from Stake Pass.

Rossett Pike and Mickleden Beck from Mickleden.

The Langdale Pikes, the cloud constantly forming on them then quickly disappearing.

Blue sky over Crinkle Crags as the weather has another change and there was a fair bit of sunshine around now.

Bowfell puts in its first appearance of the day.

Sunshine on the Langdale Pikes from Great Langdale.

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