Bow Fell & Rossett Pike

Bow Fell & Rossett Pike

Date

7/3/2010

BOW FELL - a favourite of all fellwalkers, Bow Fell is a mountain that commands attention whenever it appears in view

ROSSETT PIKE - an even more splendid position than Bow Fell,dominating the deep glacial valley of Mickleden.

A. Wainwright

Walks done by:

Jed Susan and Paul

Weather:

Glorious Blue skies, Warm in the sun, cold in the shade, frozen snow under foot above the 1400 ft line

Distance

8.5 miles. 2900ft of ascent

Started at:

Old Dungeon car park

Height:-

Bow Fell

2959'

Rossett Pike

2132'

An early start for this very tough walk as parking at our intended spot of the Old Dungeon Ghyll (ODG) is difficult. Jed drove, and picked Susan up and then Paul. We were on the Motorway by 7.45. After an uneventful journey up the M6 (Susan said she was scared because I was doing 80 mph) we pulled in to the garage north of Windermere for some items we needed for the walk. A pair of light up tweezers were not needed but Susan bought some anyway, at the bargain price (to her) of £1.99.

As we entered Ambleside Susan opened her Tweezers box only to find that there were no tweezers in the case provided. A tad disconsolate, Paul tried to perk Susan up with a philosophical reasoning that although there were no tweezers, the case and packaging was worth a £1 so really she had only lost 99p. Susan, meanwhile was determined to call back at the garage to get what she had paid for. Shortly after this we arrived at the ODG and took the last space available. Booted up and everyone ready, we marched forth. Stool End Farm was soon reached and then the long climb up the Band began. For the first half of the climb the path is on the Oxendale side . Later it changes and the Mickleden valley comes in to view and there are some splendid views of the Langdale Pikes. Onwards we climbed and a few hundred feet short of Three Tarns Susan and Paul put on some footwear that was geared to snow and ice (not crampons) to help with the ever increasing snow. The hard slog is worth it as we reached the col at Three Tarns. However, due to the cold and snow , not a single tarn was visible and we probably walked across one or more of them. About 300 ft were left to climb before we reached the summit. In all this time the weather was getting better and better, and warmer too. However, Paul soon realised he had lost one of his crampon style footwear doings abob, and took a detour back to see if he could find it. Whilst he was away Susan and I came up with a few philosophical reasonings as to why he had not lost all he had paid for them eg still has one foot left - only needs to buy one more saving himself £5.50. We still aren't sure whether he appreciated them. Anyway the final assault of Bow Fell began and after half an hour we reached the summit. Spectacular views had been available for a while, but the 360 degree views from the summit was something to behold. After leaving the top we ruled out an assault in Esk Pike and chose, because of the daylight left to descend Ore Gap. After initially taking the wrong track, down a ghyll to Angle tarn, we retraced our steps and took the correct line of descent. From the tarn we made the short climb to the col below Rossett Gill. It's only a short climb to Rossett Pike from the col, but it took a bit of persuasion to get Susan to do it. So we began the climb in the last minutes of sunshine. On the summit Paul had a moments meditation (may have been a power nap) whilst Susan and I took in the view down Mickleden.It's probably better to say nothing about the next hour or so as Susan hated every inch of the tricky and icy descent. However, she perked up as soon as we reached the car.Next stop was The Wainwright Inn for a superb pint and a descent meal - though a little over priced I thought.On the way home Susan pointed out the garage and in she went to sort out her tweezers problem. The garage owner willingly gave her a new set, which she tried out on the unlit A590. The inside of the car lit up like lighthouse.

A superb day in the lakes. One that will live long in our memories for all the right reasons.

Shortly after leaving the ODG we took the track to Stool End Farm which stands at the foot of The Band

Approaching the farm, this is the view up the valley of Mickleden

Soon after starting the ascent of The Band, Crinkle Crags appears through the cloud

This bench is positioned in a superb spot with unobstructed views down Langdale valley

The bench was built to remember SH Hamer, the National Trust secretary from 1911 - 1934.

Pike o' Stickle and Loft Crag from the Band

Looking back down Langdale

Zooming in on the Pike o' Stickle. The ancient axe factory was found on the scree slope

The path up The Band

The Crinkles are beginning to show through the cloud

Paul and Susan climbing the Band

Now the Crinkles are clearly visible

Troy waits for us to catch up

The mighty bulk of the Langdale Pikes

...and still we climb the Band

At last, a level section. Susan and Paul, high above the valley, probably discussing the advantages of "light up" tweezers

Paul and Susan.

Troy admires the view, as we all did.

Still on The Band, the Crinkles are getting ever closer, as is the snow line.

Troy waits yet again, we humans are slow!

At last, nearing the top of the Band, Bow Fell comes into view

Now in the snow this is the view back along the path we took. Pike o' Blisco

Pike o' Bliscoe

Susan, Paul and Troy on Earing Crag and enjoying a brief respite after climbing The Band.

Taken from the same spot, the mass of Bow Fell is clearly highlighted by the two specks that are walkers in the distance (middle of picture)

Fellwalkers making their way to the summit

Beyond Pike o' Blisco are the Coniston Fells

Not sure what Paul is doing!! Note the frosted grass. The magnificent Pike o' Blisco provides the back drop

The Langdales taken from Earing Crags

Susan and Paul pose on the path to Three Tarns

Suddenly the loud drone of an RAF Sea King helicopter was heard and here it is below us, and Pike o' Stickle.

At last - Three Tarns is reached, though we never saw them as snow covered them all. In the distance, Scafell and Scafell Pike appear. To the right is Bowfell Links.

Then the Sea King re-appeared above Bowfell Links

Not often you see a helicopter this close up

We are still at Three Tarns but this is the view towards Crinkle Crags. It looks like a moonscape

Scafell and Scafell Pike

Bowfell Links from Three Tarns

In a line, Troy, Paul and Susan at Three Tarns.

Still at Three Tarns...

... because Susan had a call make

Susan and Troy

We are now on the final ascent to the summit and in this spectacular view, Paul and Troy trudge up the slope with the magnificent backdrop of the Langdale Pikes behind them