2023 UK Lake District – Day 8 – Rich Fink Photography

On Thursday, the “Main Event” was to hike “The Langdales“, which is a series of mountains just to the west of Grasmere. Patty, Andreas, and I would start in the village of Elterwater, hike north up to the ridge, then northwest along the ridge past Swinescar Pike (1348 ft), then west up past Blea Rigg (1775 ft), and on to Stickle Tarn (about 1550 ft). Mary would meet us there, having scaled the 1200 ft climb up Stickle Ghyll (ravine) from Walker’s Pub.

This is the recorded path we took, reading from right to left (The track shows a spur that takes off north, but that was a glitch in the app.). Walker’s Pub is at the end. The total distance was 6.45 miles, with 1555 ft of ascent, and it took us 5 hours and 13 minutes (moving time).

Apple iPhone 11, 4.25mm, f/1.8, 1/3000 sec, 10:45am.

This is one of the early views, looking south towards Elterwater, from an elevation of about 830 ft. The mountains in the distance are, on the left, Black Fell (1060 ft), in the center distance, Holme Fell (1033 ft), and on the right, Blake Rigg (1388 ft).

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/3500 sec, 11:16am.

Look how far that trail goes back! The body of water in the distant right appears to be Windermere, a good 4 miles away! The mountain at center appears to be Loughrigg Fell (1102 ft), which we hiked over and around on Day 4.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 2.22mm, f/2.2, 1/2000 sec.

That’s looking west into Great Langdale Valley. The peak in the distance is Harrison Stickle (2402 ft).

Apple iPhone 11, 4.25mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, 11:21am.

And here we are, with a backdrop of Great Langdale, the valley of Great Langdale Beck (stream). On the left, just over that ridge and 800 ft down are the Langdale Boulders, which we will visit the next morning. On the left in the distance is Side Pike (1188 ft). In the center is South Top (left, 2736 ft) and Long Top (right, 2818 ft). Later, we will be returning down the gully (Stickle Ghyll) in the distance over my left shoulder, and about 1.5 miles away. Beyond it is Harrison Stickle (2402 ft), the peak of which is about 900 ft above Stickle Tarn.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/8000 sec.

Here, Andreas is having a deeply transcendent moment, communing with Nature. Patty is having a snack. To the left, out of view, is Swinescar Pike (1348 ft).

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/8900.

Up and ready for more!

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/370 sec, 12:08pm.

You can’t help but gawk at the views. But come on guys, keep up! And this is on telephoto!

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/3600 sec, 12:12pm.

Hill walking at its finest!

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/3000 sec, 12:17pm.

Looking northeast, and down on the northern outskirts of Grasmere, from Little Castle How, over a mile and a half away.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 2.22mm, f/2.2, 1/1100 sec, 12:29pm.

Ok, so here you see Patty and Andreas, struggling on a rocky descent, having made the mistake of following me over that crag, instead of simply taking the, unmarked I will point out, path around it on the left. You just can’t find good sherpas these days.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2200 sec.

Here’s lookin’ at you, kid.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 2.22mm, f/2.2, 1/2700 sec.

The cotton grass at this tarn really must have been something when it was in full bloom.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 2.22mm, f/2.2, 1/1900 sec.

Is that inviting, or what?

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2900 sec, 1:03pm.

This was up the slope from our path. Is it a burial cairn? Even if not, it would be a fine place to put my ashes – but not too soon! I’ve got a lot of hills to walk!

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/7000 sec, 1:16pm.

This small tarn spills into Scale Gill (stream). The small white blooms are cotton grass, or Eriophorum. The mountain in the left in the distance appears to be Lingmoor Fell (1539 ft).

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/5000 sec, 1:17pm.

On the upper right you see a sheep pen that may have been there for 100 years or more.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/4500, 1:24pm.

This was one stunning view – looking down the gully, across the valley, up the next ridge, and to the peaks beyond! This is looking due south, at an elevation of about 1560 ft. At left at mid distance on the left is Lingmoor Fell (1539 ft), on the right, Side Pike (1188 ft). I believe at the far distance is Wetherlam (2503 ft) and Black Salis (2444 ft), about 5 miles away.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 9mm, f/2.8, 1/490 sec, 1:24pm.

Look at those stone walls on the opposite slope! Unbelievable! That first ridge is about 2 miles away. The second peak is nearly 4 miles away!

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 2.22mm, f/2.2, 1/1000 sec, 2:00pm.

And finally, we made it to Stickle Tarn. The mountain beyond it on the right is Pavey Ark (2297ft). And the mountain on the left is Harrison Stickle (2402 ft).

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2700 sec.

Stickle Tarn, with Harrison Stickle (2402 ft) on left and Pavey Ark (2279 ft) on right.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec.

Another view of Pavey Ark, in the distance, and in the reflection off the crystal clear water of Stickle Tarn. The deep crevasse on the right is called Jake’s Rake. Look it up before you consider it. I assume that the grass in the water is the remains of cotton grass.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 2.22mm, f/2.2, 1/1400 sec.

Just nuts!

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 2.22mm, f/2.2, 1/1200 sec.

Another view of Harrison Stickle (2402 ft) on left, Pavey Ark (2279 ft) on right, and Stickle Tarn.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/3400 sec.

Pavey Ark (2279 ft). Jake’s Rake on right. Stickle Tarn and the dam (built in 1838) at bottom right. And Patty, Andreas, and Mary at bottom left.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/4200 sec.

Here we’re just starting down. It looks like we’re getting ready to hike off a cliff.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/3500 sec.

The path we’re on is now on the left. And a couple of chaps are a ways in front of us. Stickle Ghyll (ravine) is on the right.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec.

And this is looking back up the hill. Patty, Mary, and Andreas are way up on the right, and a group of students is coming down on the left.

Apple iPhone 14, 5.7mm, f/1.5, 1/5000 sec.

On our descent . . . This place makes you feel small. The knot directly behind us is Pike Howe. Just on the other side of it is Dungeon Ghyll waterfall. And lower down on the other side is a quarry that was used back in the Stone Age.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/3200.

Here come Mary and Andreas. This is what it looked like climbing down the 1200 ft through Stickle Ghyll. Beautiful beyond belief.

Apple iPhone 11, 4.25mm, f/1.8, 1/800 sec., Portrait Mode.

Would you believe that at this very moment Patty has me holding up a doggie door?

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2900 sec.

Patty and Andreas finally hit the tree line.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2500 sec, 3:51pm.

Still making our way down Stickle Ghyll.

First things first (first round that is).

Finally! The patio, at Walker’s Bar.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/4800 sec.

This was just a shot out the car window as we were driving back towards Elterwater on Side Gates Road. This is looking west towards Blake Rigg (about 1720 ft). What a landscape! In the foreground, it’s bracken. At mid distance, those are probably 60 ft firs (These are just up-slope from Blea Tarn, out-of-sight right.). And in the distance, every ripple was a brush stroke from the Hand of God!

Apple iPhone 14 Pro, 6.86mm, f/1.8, 1/2800 sec.

From Walker’s Bar, Mary drove us about 3 miles back to Elterwater, and the 500-year-old Britannia Inn. Out of the way, and excellent! Clearly, it is where the locals go to hang out!