Route: Red Pike
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 5th July 2013
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 8.6 miles
Ascent: 2,300 feet
Oddly, there are two Red Pikes within a couple of miles of each other. One is at Buttermere, the other is at Wasdale. This walk was based on the Wasdale fell
I parked near Netherbeck Bridge and walked beside Wast Water, turning uphill at Over Beck, and followed the Beck as far as Dore Head. There were a couple of people wild camping up here, fair enough, but they had a transistor radio playing loud music which could be heard all around, and I was tempted to give them a mouthful. It’s remote territory though, and my body may have remained undiscovered, so I carried on, keeping my curses to myself until the music was out of earshot
This minor episode was soon in the back of my mind as I attained the summit of Red Pike. What a thrilling situation, with the summit cairn overlooking fearful precipices – in fact it would be impossible to walk round the cairn, which is perched on the edge of a chasm
The swirling mist made the situation seem even more dramatic. The descent route was obvious – away from the sheer drops – and down towards Scoat Tarn
It was a long way back down to the valley, and pathless at times, but the gradient was easy. It had been a great walk with some dramatic mountain scenery
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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