Langstrath Valley - Pike of Stickle, Thunacar Knott, High Raise, Sergeant's Crag & Eagle Crag

Back to Borrowdale after the break - Quite early, but filling up already, most the best spots had already gone.

After a short stroll along the road, the small hamlet of Stonethwaite is reached

Many a good time here - Pleased to see it's still open !

As I leave the 'built up area' - Eagle Crag starts to appear out of the morning mist. This will be my last stop on todays walk

The Langstrath Valley is one of my favourite places in the Lakes. It has something special about it - it feels remote, yet adjacent (and more popular) valleys are just on the other side of the ridges either side. I walked all the way to Stake Pass without seeing another person - this is usual for this valley, and the beauty around is just a joy to behold.

Higher up Langstrath, Stake Pass can be seen (the central dip). It is also good to go right up to the head of the valley and then up to Angle Tarn - but not today for me.

The ascent up to Stake Pass

Now - I had intended to take a path to the left where that cairn is, I had planned to go directly to High Raise for once. But although there was a path shown on my OS map - I couldn't see it at all. In all honesty, the route over many drumlins up the side of High Raise, on what looked like heavy going 'off path' stuff, wasn't very appealing anyway. So I headed on towards the Langdales via a more established and traditional route.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell start to appear out of the cloud

Harrison Stickle over there as I arrive in the Langdale Pikes amphitheatre

First stop, Pike Of Stickle in the Langdales. More people here than usual - I got to the bottom of the rocky summit (about where the first blue topped chap is) but there was quite a few people coming down - so I waited... only for another large group to appear, slowly descending. So I thought, sack this! I've been up there loads of times before - I'll go an have lunch on Thunacar Knott - there's never anyone there !

Thunacar Knott - Yep deserted !

Thunacar Knott summit after my lunch stop.

Looking over towards High Raise and my next stop

High Raise with the Langstrath Valley below

Next stop Sergeants Crag - Down there in the mist. Headed towards Greenup Edge via the main path - but it's probably better to head straight down from High Raise, as I have done before. Not much in it though.

Looking back to my left to see Bowfell

The summit of Sergeant's Crag appearing straight ahead as I pick up a reasonably established path

Greenup Edge can be seen on my right

Glaramara

Approaching the top of Sergeant's Crag

A cracking view into Borrowdale

Now for the last visit of the day - Eagle Crag

Route down the side of Eagle Crag is 'Off path' and very grassy but reasonably straightforward. It's a case of picking the easiest route through the undulations. The further you head up the valley towards Lining Crag (i.e. higher), the easier it will be to find a crossing over Greenup Gill

A quick hop, skip and a jump and it's onto the right side of the beck - easy

Looking back up Greenup Gill towards Lining Crag at the point where the two 'babbling brooks' join.

One last look back up Eagle Crag as I head back to Stonethwaite

Crossing Stonethwaite Beck