The Langdale Pikes

I wish to refer to Alfred Wainwright's description of the Langdale Pikes before my story begins, as it so perfectly captures the appeal of this walk: "No mountain profile arrests and excites the attention more than that of the Langdale Pikes and no mountain group better illustrates the dramatic appeal of a sudden rising of the vertical from the horizontal... Nor is the appeal visual only: that steep ladder to heaven stirs the imagination, and even the emotions..."

With such a description, how could I not make this walk the first in our second annual Lakeland adventure? The "boys"—Dave, Steve, Chris, Rick, and myself—were back together for four days of walking in one of my favourite areas.

We parked at New Dungeon Ghyll and headed toward Mark Gate, tackling a steep section of considerable effort. After a brief breather, we continued upward as cloud-skirted Pike of Stickle came into view.

The hard work eventually leveled off before a final surge up to Loft Crag for a drinks break. Standing at close quarters to Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle, the majestic scale of the Pikes became fully apparent. We climbed both Loft Crag and Pike of Stickle, the latter rising in a symmetric, bell-shaped cone above Mickleden with Bowfell forming a magnificent background.

From Pike of Stickle, we scampered down and tracked east onto Harrison Stickle, finding a sheltered rock shelf to eat lunch. Here we chatted with a delightful couple from Lancashire in their 60s who walked the Lakes most weekends—a true inspiration!

Continuing north to Thunacar Knott, I paused in quiet reflection. Deke's ashes are scattered amidst Thunacar Knott and Pavey Ark, and every step here brings back fond memories of the special moments we shared on the fells. Leaving Deke's warm soul behind, we bounded across to High Raise, enjoying expansive views toward the Crinkles, Bowfell, the Scafells, Great Gable, and even the distant Pennines and Ingleborough to the east.

From High Raise, we pressed on to Sergeant Man—our sixth Wainwright of the day—before launching into traditional map-and-compass navigation toward Tarn Crag as my GPS battery had given up the ghost.

Panic struck briefly when I realized I'd dropped my GPS unit, but Steve kindly spotted it resting right at my feet at the base of Lang Crag! Relief secured, we pushed on to Tarn Crag, taking in exceptional views down over Easedale and the Vale of Grasmere.

After ascending Eagle Crag to reach Blea Rigg—our eighth and final Wainwright—we began our descent toward Langdale, negotiating fern enclosures and crossing Stickle Ghyll above Miller Crag. Stepping down over 500 stone steps brought us off the fell and past the bustling beer garden of the Old Dungeon Ghyll. A true Lakeland classic walk shared with great friends!