Esk Pike via the Langstrath Valley

Plenty of spaces on the Stonethwaite roadside early on this Tuesday morning.

As I set off, I had high hopes that the weather would be good today, even though it's mid-November.

The deserted country lane leading to this small hamlet.

The famous Stonethwaite phone box - seems to be slowly disappearing.

The town centre - with the pub at the end of the high street - perfect.

It was along the quiet track as Eagle Crag grew more and more prominent through the trees.

I would as a rule, cross here - but as there are paths either side of the river I decided to take the slightly flatter of the two options into the Langstrath Valley, so I stayed to the right of Langstrath Beck

Secluded and beautiful - Always a place that is a pleasure to walk. The very quiet and remote Langstrath Valley.

Looking back with Eagle Crag and Sergeants Crag to the right and Great Crag in the distance straight ahead. Bessyboot and Rosthwaite Fell to the left.

I walked for 2 hours before meeting another walker.

The bridge to Stake Pass - but I'm headed further up the valley, so I stayed to the right of the Beck.

Not much of a path to follow - but the waterfalls are a sight worth seeing.

There was a feint path alongside the beck, but soon this was lost and it was a yomp through the damp grasslands.

At the end of the valley after finally crossing over the beck it was a steady haul uphill to Angle Tarn.

The low winter sun certainly didn't help. I could only see a few yards ahead of me, so I soon lost what tiny path there was and it was a case of working your way over and round the drumlins.

This was energy sapping hard work.

Every now and then I'd stop in the sun and look back at the climb to date. The soft wet ground and long grass made progress hard and quite slow.

I had estimated it would take me 3 hours to get to Esk Pike summit, as it was it took over 4 hours, this ascent and the slowness of walking in Upper Langstrath was the main cause.

Having found a decent path again (and I know one exists as I came down it a few months back - I just couldn't see the damm thing) - I relaxed and then slipped, falling flat out on the grassy terrain - my right leg managed to crash upon the only large rock in the vicinity.

First of three falls today - think it's time for a new pair of Altbergs.

Time to chill and have lunch at the Angle Tarn picnic area.

After lunch, the ascent continued as I left the beautiful Angle Tarn and headed northwards.

Esk Pike - My target for the day can now be seen up ahead.

Views South towards Rossett Pike and the magnificent Langdale Pikes.

The ascent up to Ore Gap

Arriving at Ore Gap, the summit of Bowfell can be seen in the distance.

Took some doing today, but Esk Pike summit was finally achieved.

Views of the Scafells behind.

Upper Eskdale.

A place that I really enjoy walking, but distances

Leaving Esk Pike and heading down towards Esk Hause.

A quick look back to the castellated summit of Esk Pike.

There's Allen Crags over there.

I had expected to nip up and down that fell whilst passing, but the walk today had taken considerably longer than planned and I wasn't sure whether I'd get back to the car before darkness fell as it was - so I gave it a miss today.

Heading down towards Seathwaite Fell and Sprinkling Tarn with Great Gable and Green Gable now in view in the distance.

Picking up the path that heads downwards to Seathwaite alongside Grains Gill.

I stopped for a few minutes (after a slip and fall I may add - that's three for today) and looked back up towards Great End.

I got to wondering just how many times I'd walked this Grains Gill path - It must be half a dozen every year, say over 15 years - that's 90 times so far - yet I still find it a pleasure. I'm probably responsible for wearing a bit of it out.

Stockley Bridge.

Thorneythwaite Fell looking majestic in the late afternoon sunshine. I'd have thought AW would have included this beauty in his top 214 ?

I stood and admired the dry stone wall going up the centre of the fellside. It looked like it was virtually vertical ? How skilful must you be to be able to build a wall like that.

The last few miles were done on hard ground (country lanes) as I chose to follow the slightly longer but much more gentle route back to the car.