Route: Haystacks
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 1st April 2018
Walkers: Andrew and James
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 1,800 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny
Today was Easter Sunday, so we made an early start and were one of the first to arrive in the car park at Gatesgarth Farm. The ticket machine was broken and parking was free – good news for us but not for the local farmer who would be losing revenue on a peak day. We walked through the farm and crossed Peggy’s Bridge at the head of Buttermere. The climbing starts at a small triangular shaped copse, and from here we followed the easy path up to Scarth Gap
Beyond Scarth Gap the going gets much steeper and rockier, and there are a few scambly sections before the summit of Haystacks is finally reached. The summit is a fascinating place, full of interest, and we wandered around here for a while. The views were wonderful, and seen at their best today in some good light
A direct descent from here is impossible and it’s necessary to walk across some complicated knobbly terrain before arriving at one of the two possible descent paths to Warnscale Bottom. I normally take the first one so by way of a change we passed by this and carried on to join the alternative path on the far side of Warnscale Beck. This provides an easy way down, and we enjoyed some more fantastic views as we descended
It was a memorable outing on Wainwright’s favourite fell
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Haystacks from Gatesgarth Farm at the start of today's walk
Looking across to High Stile
We walk across the head of Buttermere and will then take the path running right to left above the small coppice
Warnscale Bottom from Peggy's Bridge
One of a small herd of Highland cattle which are usually to be found in this spot
Herdies
Looking back to Gatesgarth Farm at the start of the ascent
The bothy at the head of Buttermere
Looking across the lake to Hassness
Another view back to Gatesgarth, and the Honister Pass on the right
James heading up towards Scarth Gap
Looking back down the path
We pass through the gate onto open fellside
Looking back to the crags below High Snockrigg
Onwards and upwards
A view back along the path
The foot of Fleetwith Pike
Fleetwith Pike and Warnscale Bottom
Fleetwith Pike again
Robinson above Gatesgarth
James and Bonnie
Kirk Fell as we arrive at Scarth Gap
Looking back to Buttermere
Pillar, looking magnificent today
Fleetwith Pike
Robinson
Pillar above Ennerdale
The start of one of several scambly sections, where hands are needed in places - but there are no fears
High Crag
Looking down to Warnscale Bottom
Pillar and Ennerdale again
Buttermere and Crummock Water
James below the summit of Haystacks
Great Gable from Haystacks
Fleetwith Pike
Looking towards the Eastern Fells
Small tarn at the summit of Haystacks
Crummock Water
Fleetwith Pike
Great Gable in all its glory
Pillar
James and Bonnie
We head down towards the contradiction in terms that is Innominate Tarn...
Green Gable and Great Gable
Pillar beyond Innominate Tarn...
...and Great Gable
We follow the path around Green Crag...
Our eventual descent path can be seen between the crags
Buttermere and Crummock Water
Looking back to Haystacks, and High Crag on its right
A view back along the terrain we'd crossed - Pillar in the background
Buttermere and Crummock Water again
We join the path above Warnscale Beck to start the descent back down into the valley
Haystacks
Warnscale Beck
The path descends gently along the flanks of Fleetwith Pike
Back down to valley level and the end of a classic walk lies just around the corner
