Langdale Pikes - Loft Crag, Pike of Stickle, Thunacar Knott, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark

A great place to park your car is just before Rossett Bridge in Great Langdale - it's found between New Dungeon Ghyll and Old Dungeon Ghyll on the left-hand side, there is roadside parking for half a dozen cars, but a word of warning, it fills up very quickly - I was lucky to get a spot today, but it was 9:30am on a Tuesday morning in November. There's loads of parking spaces at the New Dungeon Ghyll National Trust car park a few hundred yards away if these spaces are all taken.

Strolling down the lane with the cool air and frozen fields around - It's a lovely sensation to be going out in these conditions knowing that you have a great day ahead - It makes you feel great to be alive.

After walking through the New Dungeon Car Park and popping into the very clean National Trust toilets, it's time to head towards the hills.

Now, this is usually where folk stop and have a think? Most will head straight on and follow the ghyll to Stickle Tarn. I actually prefer to go left and climb the Langdales via Loft Crag first. Both routes are fine, it's just down to personal preference.

It's not long before I'm getting my camera out as the frosty wintry scene merits many a photo.

Looking further up Great Langdale to Oxendale.

I was headed for Loft Crag first, so it was a left turn and a few steppingstones over to the other side the brook - then it was alongside the wall as the ascent continued.

So warm up here! - I'd taken off my coat and fleece and was walking in my T-shirt - but it was probably minus two back down there.

Pike of Blisco on the other side of the valley.

Looking back down the stone path to see Lingmoor and Side Pike in the distance.

A tiny bit of gentle hand to rock, but the path is well constructed generally, and the ascent is without concern.

Round the corner and some summits come into view. Harrison Stickle on the right-hand side looks 'unclimbable' but there are easy paths round the side and back to get to the top.

Such strange meteorological conditions today as a low-level bank of cloud starts to roll in towards me. I hope this is just temporary, as the walk has been superb so far.

After a short coffee break overlooking Langdale, it was a gentle wander over to Loft Crag.

A stunning shot on the summit of Loft Crag.

And now over to Pike of Stickle. It looks a bit daunting, but other than a bit of clambering and hand to rock, it's nothing difficult really. Just stick to the East (right hand side in this photo) and it's straightforward.

Pike of Stickle summit - Unfortunately the cloud rolled in again and I couldn't get any of those lovely views down into Mickleden or over to Bowfell.

But what's this? A 'Brocken Spectre' I've waited for thirteen years to see one of these in the lakes and I would have probably missed this one if a fellow walker hadn't drawn my attention to it. What a sight - there's my reflection in the middle of it - I was buzzing for the next 30 minutes. The Brocken Spectre phenomenon is an optical illusion created when low sun shines behind someone looking down into fog or cloud from a ridge. The atmospheric conditions throw the person's shadow forward, creating this spectral apparition.

And if that wasn't good enough, I was then treat to scenes like this - Possibly qualifies as a cloud inversion, but maybe not quite as good as the ones you often see whereby the islands of the highest fell tops are the only visible objects in a sea of cloud. But all the same, the scene was truly magnificent and one I will cherish.

Cloud gone again and it was a yomp over to the very strange Thunacar Knott for a spot of lunch. Thunacar Knott is one of those fells that, along with the likes of Mungrisedale Common, instigates debate as to whether they merit the 'Wainwright' status or not. Well, it was his choice - and if the great man chose them, then it's good enough for me.

Thunacar Knott summit.

A short out and back to Harrison Stickle now. I did consider visiting Pavey Ark first and then Harrison Stickle before heading round the western side of Harrison Stickle and down to Stickle Tarn, but I decided to stick to my original plan and do the descent to Stickle Tarn via the North Rake.

Harrison Stickle with Stickle Tarn below.

From the top of Pavey Ark - It looks like I may lose this lovely sun as I start to head down.

Harrison Stickle silhouette.

Fun over as I head towards my descent route. The North Rake is straightforward, although it takes a while as you slowly clamber down the rocks. Again, nothing difficult, but you do need to stare at your feet for the next half an hour as you pick each step during the descent.

As I feared - Stickle Tarn is completely covered in low mist/cloud.

Heading down by the side of Stickle Ghyll with the occasional crossing necessary. Higher up, its best to be on the well-engineered path on the western side if possible.

One bank of cloud gone - but looks like the next one may be with me till the end of the walk.

Dungeon Ghyll waterfalls.

One last crossing and then it's into the soup again. That's it for the day as far as photos were concerned, but what a day - Brocken Spectres, cloud inversions and a stunning walk - Does it get any better than this? A great day in the Langdales.