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Wednesday, 30 September 2015

The Langdale Pikes Revisited

At the weekend I camped for three nights in the mountainous heart of the English Lake District — in Great Langdale at the foot of the Langdale Pikes. The photo shows Great Langdale Beck, Lingmoor Fell and the knobbly protrusion of Side Pike.

I'd climbed the Pikes before in 2007, but just knew I had to do it again. The view downstream from the top of Stickle Ghyll was sublime — so wild, so savagely beautiful.

My first Pike was Harrison Stickle, the highest Pike of the group (736 m). I followed a clear path which curved its way up to the rocky summit. The climb looked intimidatingly steep from below, but proved easier than expected.

From the eastern slopes of Harrison Stickle one could appreciate the splendid isolation of Stickle Tarn. 

My next Pike was Pike of Stickle.

As I approached Loft Crag, my third and final Pike, this view of the Langdale and Mickleden valleys suddenly opened up. It was simply breathtaking. The patch of water cupped between the fells is Blea Tarn.

Loft Crag. In the distance you can see Lake Windermere, England's largest natural lake.

The glorious greenness of Langdale in the late afternoon sun.

I was almost back on the valley floor when I spotted this interesting alignment of Herdwick sheep.

5 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Robert - nice to hear you are back in the UK - thought you might be spending the winter in Europe.
The greenness in your photographs is amazing and certainly does the Lake District proud. What perfect weather you have there this week. Dominic and Karen camped in the Lakes just before term restarted.

Susan Scheid said...

Oh, do you ever bring back fond memories! Such a beautiful part of the world. And I'll never forget my first sighting of strolling, British style. We'd stopped on the slope to catch our breath and a woman, several decades our senior, strode past in her plaid woolen skirt and sensible shoes.

Ruth said...

So stunning, I wish I could see it in person. Oh to be Elizabeth Bennet ... or Robert Wilkinson!

dritanje said...

Such gorgeous views and I do like the sheep gazing at - whatever they are looking at, they are certainly transfixed!

The Solitary Walker said...

Yes, it's a wonderful part of England, and of the world.

I think those sheep were looking at a man and his dog, from what I remember.