Langdale to Grasmere via Pavey Ark & Jack's Rake -
Wednesday 24 October 2018
Route
New Dungeon Ghyll (NDG) - Stickle Ghyll - Stickle Tarn - Jack's Rake - Pavey Ark - Thunacar Knott - Sergeant Man - High Raise - Low White Stones - Greenup Edge - Brownrigg Moss - Calf Crag - Gibson Knott - Helm Crag - Lancrigg - Grasmere
Parking
Various Car Parks in and around the NDG - plenty of Parking in Grasmere
Mileage
10.4 miles
Terrain
Mostly good mountain paths with some boggy sections between Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man & High Raise
The ascent of Jack's Rake is assessed as a Grade 1 Scramble. In wet weather it becomes a natural drainage line and is therefore often full of running water and is best avoided during or after a prolonged period of rain. There is a fair amount of exposure therefore ensure you are aware of this before attempting the climb. The condition of the Rake has deteriorated over the years therefore be prepared to encounter smooth rocks and in turn test the strength of all foot & hand holds.
In snow and ice, Jack's Rake becomes a Grade 1 Winter Climb which should not be attempted without the necessary skills and equipment.
Weather
Overcast for the most part with the odd sunny spell. Visibility was poor between Pavey Ark & Greenup Edge
Time Taken
7hrs 15min
Total Ascent
3992ft (1217m)
Wainwrights
7
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
New Dungeon Ghyll (NDG) - Stickle Ghyll - Stickle Tarn - Jack's Rake - Pavey Ark - Thunacar Knott - Sergeant Man - High Raise - Low White Stones - Greenup Edge - Brownrigg Moss - Calf Crag - Gibson Knott - Helm Crag - Lancrigg - Grasmere
Parking
Various Car Parks in and around the NDG - plenty of Parking in Grasmere
Mileage
10.4 miles
Terrain
Mostly good mountain paths with some boggy sections between Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man & High Raise
The ascent of Jack's Rake is assessed as a Grade 1 Scramble. In wet weather it becomes a natural drainage line and is therefore often full of running water and is best avoided during or after a prolonged period of rain. There is a fair amount of exposure therefore ensure you are aware of this before attempting the climb. The condition of the Rake has deteriorated over the years therefore be prepared to encounter smooth rocks and in turn test the strength of all foot & hand holds.
In snow and ice, Jack's Rake becomes a Grade 1 Winter Climb which should not be attempted without the necessary skills and equipment.
Weather
Overcast for the most part with the odd sunny spell. Visibility was poor between Pavey Ark & Greenup Edge
Time Taken
7hrs 15min
Total Ascent
3992ft (1217m)
Wainwrights
7
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
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GPX File
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Walk Description
Circular walks are all very well and I like them but it is nice to throw in a linear amble now and then, therefore today I decided to do a lovely wander in The Central Fells. I was joined today by Tony, a walking pal of mine who had never climbed Jack's Rake before therefore I chose a route from Langdale that would take us to Grasmere via Pavey Ark. Jack's Rake is no place for a bonkers Working Cocker Spaniel in my opinion therefore after meeting Tony in Grasmere, Angie dropped us off at The New Dungeon Ghyll (NDG) - she & Fudge would meet us up on Gibson Knott later after a bit of retail therapy in Grasmere.
From the NDG we took the popular path up Stickle Ghyll - there are routes up either side of the Ghyll and today we selected the path up to the right which crosses the Ghyll further up near Stickle Tarn. From the tarn there is a dramatic view over to Pavey Ark and here there is a choice of 2 routes over to the start of Jack's Rake - around the tarn to the left or to the right. Today we went to the left on a good path for the most part. There is an intermittent path of sorts up to the start of Jack's Rake - suffice to say that in good visibility the Rake can clearly be seen slanting its way over from right to left and it is just a question of making your way over the boulders and stones to reach the first groove a few yards past the entrance to Easy Gully.
There now begins one of the most exhilarating scrambles in the Lake District. There are several rock grooves to climb, all with a great deal of exposure therefore it is just a question of taking your time, choosing the right route and checking all hand holds and footholds before committing yourself. In addition to the rock grooves there are a couple of exposed flat sections before the final scramble up a steep rise to reach the broken wall near the summit of Pavey Ark. It is a fantastic climb up the Rake but do take the time to stop and appreciate the view down to Stickle Tarn and beyond.
From the broken wall it is a short walk over a rocky promontory to reach the summit of Pavey Ark. By this time the cloud shrouded any views and looked like it was here to stay therefore we abandoned any thoughts of climbing the remaining Langdale Pikes of Harrison Stickle & Pike O'Stickle and instead headed west over boggy ground to Thunacar Knott. By now visibility was down to about 50 metres as we made our way over to firstly Sergeant Man and then High Raise before dropping down to Greenup Edge via Low White Stones. As we headed across Brownrigg Moss the visibility started to perk up as we crossed the undulating ridge over Calf Crag, Gibson Knott & finally Helm Crag before dropping steeply down to Grasmere via Lancrigg.
All that was left now was to walk to the lay by just outside Grasmere to pick up the cars and then enjoy a post walk debrief in The Travellers Rest.
From the NDG we took the popular path up Stickle Ghyll - there are routes up either side of the Ghyll and today we selected the path up to the right which crosses the Ghyll further up near Stickle Tarn. From the tarn there is a dramatic view over to Pavey Ark and here there is a choice of 2 routes over to the start of Jack's Rake - around the tarn to the left or to the right. Today we went to the left on a good path for the most part. There is an intermittent path of sorts up to the start of Jack's Rake - suffice to say that in good visibility the Rake can clearly be seen slanting its way over from right to left and it is just a question of making your way over the boulders and stones to reach the first groove a few yards past the entrance to Easy Gully.
There now begins one of the most exhilarating scrambles in the Lake District. There are several rock grooves to climb, all with a great deal of exposure therefore it is just a question of taking your time, choosing the right route and checking all hand holds and footholds before committing yourself. In addition to the rock grooves there are a couple of exposed flat sections before the final scramble up a steep rise to reach the broken wall near the summit of Pavey Ark. It is a fantastic climb up the Rake but do take the time to stop and appreciate the view down to Stickle Tarn and beyond.
From the broken wall it is a short walk over a rocky promontory to reach the summit of Pavey Ark. By this time the cloud shrouded any views and looked like it was here to stay therefore we abandoned any thoughts of climbing the remaining Langdale Pikes of Harrison Stickle & Pike O'Stickle and instead headed west over boggy ground to Thunacar Knott. By now visibility was down to about 50 metres as we made our way over to firstly Sergeant Man and then High Raise before dropping down to Greenup Edge via Low White Stones. As we headed across Brownrigg Moss the visibility started to perk up as we crossed the undulating ridge over Calf Crag, Gibson Knott & finally Helm Crag before dropping steeply down to Grasmere via Lancrigg.
All that was left now was to walk to the lay by just outside Grasmere to pick up the cars and then enjoy a post walk debrief in The Travellers Rest.
A lovely waterfall near the start at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
Heading up the Stickle Ghyll path with Pike How ahead
The route crosses Stickle Ghyll by way of this footbridge
Continuing our ascent up the eastern side of Stickle Ghyll - lots of waterfall action going on
Pavey Ark across Stickle Tarn - Easy Gully is to groove in the centre
It does not matter which way around the tarn you go to get to the start of Jack's Rake - we opted to make our way clockwise around the tarn to the start.
A short scramble over loose stone is needed to reach the foot of the rake which can be seen in the centre right of shot
A short scramble over loose stone is needed to reach the foot of the rake which can be seen in the centre right of shot
Our route to the start of Jack's Rake around Stickle Tarn - there is a rough path around the waters edge
Looking back down the rocky scramble ascent from the start of Jack's Rake
Easy Gully - an alternative route should Jack's Rake not be to your liking
Here we go - the first part of Jack's Rake
Looking back down the first section of Jack's Rake
Rake End Chimney
Remember to take your time and to have a breather in order to appreciate the views on this superb scramble
Lots of "bellies in" moments as we negotiated the tight and extremely steep rock grooves
Another rock groove with plenty of exposure - the groove leads to a grassy platform where the shaft of rock can be seen above
The shaft of rock on the grassy platform
Peeping over the edge of the platform back to the level section between two steep sections
Stickle Tarn below - the photo does not do this view justice
Tony negotiating the last steep climb which leads to the ruined wall
The ruined wall near the summit of Pavey Ark
The summit of Pavey Ark
The weather had turned by the time we reached the summit of Thunacar Knott - no views from here today.......
.... and none from Sergeant Man either apart from an Army Veteran
Normally from the summit of High Raise there would be a fantastic view over to Glaramara - not today
The cairn on Low White Stones
Looking down over Brownrigg Moss to Calf Crag from near Greenup Edge
The summit of Calf Crag
Heading for Gibson Knott
Looking back along the ridge to Calf Crag from near Gibson Knott - looks like a different day
Fudge was clearly pleased to see I had survived Jack's Rake
Looking to the eastern top of Gibson Knott from the summit
The summit of Gibson Knott
Approaching the short, steep pull up to Helm Crag
Gibson Knott with Steel Fell across the Greenburn valley
The summit of Helm Crag with Steel Fell beyond to the left
The summit is known by various names - "The Lion Couchant" or "The Lion & The Lamb" when viewed from the road below
Dunmail Raise or "The Howitzer" as seen from Dunmail Raise (Helm Crag 5)
The summit is known by various names - "The Lion Couchant" or "The Lion & The Lamb" when viewed from the road below
Dunmail Raise or "The Howitzer" as seen from Dunmail Raise (Helm Crag 5)
The rocks at the North West end of the summit ridge. The rocks are known as "The Old Woman Playing the Organ" from their appearance when seen from Tongue Gill and the vicinity of Easedale Tarn (Helm Crag 7)
The rocks at the south east end of the summit ridge known as the official "Lion & The Lamb" when viewed from The Swan Hotel, Grasmere.
(Helm Crag 7)
(Helm Crag 7)
A gloomy looking Grasmere & Grasmere Water from Helm Crag
They do very cold beer too - didn't stop today but will do in future
Debrief with Tony, Angie & Fudge in The Travellers Rest, Grasmere. Always a pleasure walking with you mate.
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