Rossett Pike and Bowfell Page One

Rossett Pike and Bowfell

8th September 2007

When Kerenza and I did our Seathwaite Fell to Glaramara walk I had intended to walk down to Rossett Pike before doing Allen Crags, it turned out to be a no go due to bad weather and tiredness on my youngsters part. So, today we all returned to do Rossett, with the possibility of carrying on up Bowfell and back down 'the band'.
For those used to walking the fells you will know this already, for those that are not, please note. This walk is a classic example of how Lake Distric weather can change very quickly. We were prepared for any and all weather today, had food and drink as well as compass, map and GPS.
We were never at any time lost, would have been hard with so many people about.. but.. we started in bright sunshine, went to cloud so thick you could hardly see at all, and then mercifully back to sunshine. It could easily have thrown it down during this walk, and it was a long way back to the car... this is the reason we all carry bags with us when we walk.. masses of drink, and waterproofs, no matter what the forcast.
I am having to split this up into three pages due to the amount of photo's acquired during the walk.

Looking up to the Langdale Pikes, this I think has to be Loft Crag.. kinda hard to tell from under them..

Bright sunshine where we were, but the top of Bowfell covered in cloud.
In the field at Middle End Farm there was a Scooter rally.. it's where the road forks left to start up to the pass.

Rossett Pike looking gloomy.. ohh well.. push on..

The Crinkles in sunshine.

Looking over 'the band' to the Crinkles, more and more scooters arriving, and it's only 9am.

The magnificant Pike of Stickle, get used to seeing this.. I have a few to show you...

Again, 'the band' far left, Bowfell in cloud, Rossett Pike to the right

Close to where Oxendale Beck goes under the road we came across this wonderful creature!

The kids were not at all sure what to do.. it was very, very friendly.

Very well looked after by someone

Stool End Farm

Mickleden valley, Rosset Pike at its head. Slightly by accident we took a path that turned out not to be the Cumbrian Way.
Instead of being on the north of the beck we were to the south,
which turned out kinda nice in the end.. we got to cross the beck 3 times.. which the kids loved.

Looking back to Side Pike on the left and the road up to Blea Tarn and beyond.

Our first clear view of Bowfell. Had we needed to come straight back after completing Rossett Pike
we would have come down Rossett Gill and back along the valley.

There's that Stickle again

Close up of the Gill

At the end of the Mickleden Valley there is a bridge back across the beck.

A bridge that if you jump up and down a little bounces like mad..

Kids...

Now if everywhere had a sign like this life would be so much easier!

Have to say that there are not many views back down a valley at ground level that are wonderful as this...
pic does not do it justice at all... Langdales to the left and Crinkles / Pike O Blisco to the right..

The climb up the Cumbrian Way

Jay having a look back down the Valley...

'All the way up there you say',
'Yup, fraid so buddy'

The zig zag path up

Stake Gill

And again

This tiny dog has the most amazing tongue!

Gosh this seems like a long way..

Now what's this called again....

From the final climb up Black Crags onto Rossett Pike this is looking back down to an area
on my map known as Langdale Combe. I can tell you its VERY wet!

The Mickleden Valley - this is why we walk!

Still on Black Crags, looking back to Langdale Combe

Our first view of Rossett Pike, note the cloud. It was really cold up here,
and we could see masses of cloud coming in from the north.

ONTO PAGE TWO OF THE WALK

Please do email us if you have any comments. Chris

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