Route: Fleetwith Pike
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 3rd January 2020
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 4.2 miles
Ascent: 1,800 feet
Weather: Mixed sunshine and cloud, very cold and strong wind where exposed
There’s only one place to start the ascent of Fleetwith Pike – from Gatesgarth at the foot of the fell. Accordingly I parked in the car park at Gatesgarth Farm (the fee is currently £4). I walked beside the Honister Pass road for a few yards before turning off to start the climb up Fleetwith Pike. It’s a relentlesss climb up Low Raven Crag, along Fleetwith Edge and thence to the summit. The ridge looks alarming seen from below, and while there are several steep sections where hands are needed, there’s nothing to frighten the horses – it’s a delightful climb. The enjoyment of the ascent is enhanced by the wonderful retrospective views over Buttermere and Crummock Water
From the summit I made my way along the knobbly hinterland of the fell in the direction of Dubs Quarry. This is remote and featureless terrain, and if mist were to descend here good navigation skills would be needed
When I reached the old slate mining works I joined the rocky path beside Warnscale Beck which took me down to Warnscale Bottom. There were more glorious views over Buttermere as I made the descent, which is at an easy gradient throughout. Having reached valley level, it was a stroll back along the path to Gatesgarth to complete a short but superb fell walk
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The start of today's walk from the car park at Gatesgarth Farm
The Honister Pass is to the left, but I turn right to start the ascent
Fanny Mercer's Cross, erected in memory of a young servant girl who fell and died here in 1887 while descending from the fell
Looking across to the Honister Pass
Onwards and upwards - the summit is unseen from here, and there are several scrambly sections higher up
The first of the view back over Buttermere and Crummock Water, which gets better and better as height is gained
The Honister Pass below
High Crag, and below is a stand of Buttermere pines which I'll pass by at the end of the walk
Gatesgarth below, and that view of Buttermere and Crummock Water again
Looking up the nose of Fleetwith Pike
The High Stile Range - High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike
The Honister Pass below on my left
Haystacks
Dramatic mountain scenery looking across to Green Crag
More views back to Buttermere and Crummock Water...
Scarth Gap between Haystacks and High Crag
A wider view, showing Scarth Gap, High Crag and High Stile
The last of the wonderful views back as I reach the summit of Fleetwith Pike...
A complete contrast in the scenery - anyone who climbs this fell for the first time will be surprised by the wild and desolate landscape beyond the summit
Herdwick sheep, such tough creatures
The path to Haystacks is over there, but my path lies below
I arrive at Dubs Quarry, which is now disused
Dubs Hut, which once served the old quarry, but which is now a bothy
Green Crag and Haystacks as I start the descent, with Warnscale Beck on my left all the while
Warnscale Beck and Buttermere...
Buttermere pines and Mellbreak as I reach the floor of the valley.. .
Looking back up to Warnscale Bottom, with my descent path to the left - Gatesgarth, and the end of a wonderful walk, is just around the corner
