Rossett Pike, Esk Pike & Bowfell - Wednesday 10 October 2018
Route
Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (ODG) - Mickleden - Rossett Gill - Rossett Pike - Esk Hause - Esk Pike - Ore Gap - Bowfell North Top - Bowfell - Three Tarns - The Band - ODG
Parking
ODG Hotel, Langdale (Pay in Hotel) - Grid Ref NY285060
Mileage
10.5 miles
Terrain
Mainly good paths throughout. Care needs to be taken on the higher part of Rossett Gill where we deviated away from the main path - minor scrambling. The area in and around Esk Hause can be confusing in mist. The descent of The Band, particularly after a long walk is hard on the knees!
Weather
Excellent visibility, sunny with fresh breezes
Time Taken
7hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
4019ft (1225m)
Wainwrights
3
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (ODG) - Mickleden - Rossett Gill - Rossett Pike - Esk Hause - Esk Pike - Ore Gap - Bowfell North Top - Bowfell - Three Tarns - The Band - ODG
Parking
ODG Hotel, Langdale (Pay in Hotel) - Grid Ref NY285060
Mileage
10.5 miles
Terrain
Mainly good paths throughout. Care needs to be taken on the higher part of Rossett Gill where we deviated away from the main path - minor scrambling. The area in and around Esk Hause can be confusing in mist. The descent of The Band, particularly after a long walk is hard on the knees!
Weather
Excellent visibility, sunny with fresh breezes
Time Taken
7hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
4019ft (1225m)
Wainwrights
3
Map
OL6 - The English Lakes (South Western Area)
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GPX File
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Walk Description
It looked like we were in for a glorious weather day today therefore drove out to Langdale to do a walk we really enjoy in a beautiful part of the National Park. Despite our early arrival at The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, there were lots of people about including a film crew who were setting up and checking various bits of equipment in the Car Park. The walk today would see us head up the valley of Mickleden to Rossett Gill to then visit the summits of Rossett Pike, Esk Pike & Bowfell before heading down The Band back to Langdale. All in all it promised to be a good day out in fine weather and so it proved.
The route heads along the valley of Mickleden below the impressive sight of the Langdale Pikes to the right, Pike O'Blisco to the left and Crinkle Crags & Bowfell to the front. It is an idyllic wander on a good, level path that eventually crosses Stake Gill to reach Rossett Gill. It is here the real ascent starts and it is a steep and winding path that makes its way up the fell side. As the gradient eased we left the main path to continue up the gill on a bouldery scramble that eventually reached a large cairn at the top. From here it is a short walk on a gentle rise to reach the summit of Rossett Pike.
We had a wander across the summit ridge to the eastern cairn then retraced our steps back down to the col to then walk the short distance to Angle Tarn - an idyllic spot sitting below Hanging Knotts. From the tarn the path heads steeply uphill to a cross shelter from where shortly after Esk Hause is reached - a wide mountain pass where the paths from Eskdale, Borrowdale, Langdale & Wasdale all meet. In mist this can be a confusing place therefore ensure your navigation is on the mark if the clag is down. At this point there are all sorts of options available to the walker - we did think about wandering up Great End to the west but instead stuck with our original plan of heading up Esk Pike to the south.
With Esk Pike's summit safely reached it was time to enjoy the extensive views over to the Scafells, Bowfell & the Langdale Pikes before moving off over Ore Gap to firstly Bowfell North Top then Bowfell itself. The path from Esk Pike to Bowfell via Ore Gap is clear but it is worth making the short diversion over pathless ground to bag the North Top before re-joining the main path via a bouldery section to then reach the summit proper. As is expected the views from Bowfell are wide ranging and we took a break here for a short while as we had the summit to ourselves for the most part which is rare on a day like this. Leaving the summit we then made a short transit over to view Great Slab before making our way down steeply to Three Tarns.
Reaching Three Tarns and depending on time there is an option to return to Langdale via Crinkle Crags and Pike O'Blisco. However we would be pushing the daylight therefore we turned left and made the long trudge down The Band to Stool End Farm from where a track leads back to the start at Old Dungeon Ghyll. A great route in superb weather.
The route heads along the valley of Mickleden below the impressive sight of the Langdale Pikes to the right, Pike O'Blisco to the left and Crinkle Crags & Bowfell to the front. It is an idyllic wander on a good, level path that eventually crosses Stake Gill to reach Rossett Gill. It is here the real ascent starts and it is a steep and winding path that makes its way up the fell side. As the gradient eased we left the main path to continue up the gill on a bouldery scramble that eventually reached a large cairn at the top. From here it is a short walk on a gentle rise to reach the summit of Rossett Pike.
We had a wander across the summit ridge to the eastern cairn then retraced our steps back down to the col to then walk the short distance to Angle Tarn - an idyllic spot sitting below Hanging Knotts. From the tarn the path heads steeply uphill to a cross shelter from where shortly after Esk Hause is reached - a wide mountain pass where the paths from Eskdale, Borrowdale, Langdale & Wasdale all meet. In mist this can be a confusing place therefore ensure your navigation is on the mark if the clag is down. At this point there are all sorts of options available to the walker - we did think about wandering up Great End to the west but instead stuck with our original plan of heading up Esk Pike to the south.
With Esk Pike's summit safely reached it was time to enjoy the extensive views over to the Scafells, Bowfell & the Langdale Pikes before moving off over Ore Gap to firstly Bowfell North Top then Bowfell itself. The path from Esk Pike to Bowfell via Ore Gap is clear but it is worth making the short diversion over pathless ground to bag the North Top before re-joining the main path via a bouldery section to then reach the summit proper. As is expected the views from Bowfell are wide ranging and we took a break here for a short while as we had the summit to ourselves for the most part which is rare on a day like this. Leaving the summit we then made a short transit over to view Great Slab before making our way down steeply to Three Tarns.
Reaching Three Tarns and depending on time there is an option to return to Langdale via Crinkle Crags and Pike O'Blisco. However we would be pushing the daylight therefore we turned left and made the long trudge down The Band to Stool End Farm from where a track leads back to the start at Old Dungeon Ghyll. A great route in superb weather.
Early doors at Langdale and time for a Bacon & Egg Sarnie in the shadow of Pike O'Blisco
The walk today started from the Old Dungeon Ghyll Car Park
A good path leads away from the ODG along the beautiful valley of Mickleden.
Pike O'Blisco is to the left with Great Knott centre and Crinkle Crags to the centre right. Our route of descent, The Band is to the right.
Pike O'Blisco is to the left with Great Knott centre and Crinkle Crags to the centre right. Our route of descent, The Band is to the right.
A little further up Mickleden - Great Knott, Crinkle Crags & The Band with Bowfell to the right.
What better place to hold the morning Herdwick Meeting than under Pike O'Stickle & Gimmer Crag
Heading along Mickleden to Rossett Pike - we were aiming for the gap in the centre of the picture.
Pike O'Stickle
A closer look at our route of ascent up Rossett Gill - we would be scrambling up the gully in the centre of shot
Crossing the footbridge over Stake Gill
Just along from the footbridge is a sign indicating a fork in the path - left takes you towards Esk Hause (& Rossett Pike) whilst turning right will take you along the Stake Pass to Langstrath
And so it begins - the long but enjoyable climb up Rossett Gill
Ascending Rossett Gill with the Langdale Pikes for company.
Bowfell dominates the scene as we ascend Rossett Gill
A panorama from the ascent of Rossett Gill
We took a detour well off the main path to visit the Packwomans Grave. A small cairn and cross of stones pointing south east indicate the grave which contains the remains of a woman who used to call at Langdale farms with various items for sale. Her remains were found & buried here over 200 years ago. As Wainwright himself said "it has suffered little disturbance down the years, but because so many folk nowadays seem unable to leave things alone its precise location is not divulged here" (Rossett Pike 4). I shall not divulge its location either. Ordinarily Fudge would be running about but as soon as we arrived at this special place he just sat very still until we were ready to move off.
One of my favourite photos with Fudge - above Mickleden looking to the Langdale Pikes
We left the main path to head directly up Rossett Gill to reach the col - it is no quicker, but is simply a delightful scramble
Looking back down Rossett Gill to Mickleden
With Fudge on the short approach to Rossett Pike
Looking back down to the col at the top of Rossett Gill. Esk Pike, Great End, Esk Hause, Allen Crags & Glaramara provide the backdrop
Angie heading up from the col to join me on Rossett Pike
The summit of Rossett Pike
Along the summit ridge a short way to the east is a second cairn with an excellent viewpoint down Mickleden & over to the Langdale Pikes.
It always amazes me that people bag a particular summit and then move on - just have a wander around the summit and seek out these little gems. As you can see, they really are worth it.
It always amazes me that people bag a particular summit and then move on - just have a wander around the summit and seek out these little gems. As you can see, they really are worth it.
The glorious view from the eastern cairn on Rossett Pike
Angle Tarn......................
........... and someone who has just been in it
From Angle Tarn a good (but steep) path heads up towards Esk Hause
Allen Crags panorama
Looking back along our route to Rossett Pike
The path up to Esk Hause is pretty steep
Allen Crags from just below Esk Hause
The cross shelter below Esk Hause with Great End behind
Pillar, Great Gable, Aaron Slack, Windy Gap & Green Gable
Esk Hause looking to Ill Crag & Great End
Our route up to Esk Pike from Esk Hause
A panorama from the ascent of Esk Pike - Great End, Great Gable, Green Gable & Allen Crags
Ill Crag from the near the summit of Esk Pike
Looking to Great End & Esk Hause from the ascent of Esk Pike
Almost there - Esk Pike's summit comes into view
What kept you?
Up on the summit of Esk Pike looking down Great Moss - l-r Slight Side, Long Green, Scafell, Scafell Pike & Ill Crag
Bowfell North Top, Bowfell & Crinkle Crags across Ore Gap from Esk Pike's summit
Heading across Ore Gap to Bowfell
Looking back across Ore Gap to Esk Pike
Approaching Bowfell North Top across Ore Gap
The summit of Bowfell North Top looking to Bowfell
Looking back to Angie on Bowfell North Top from the transit to Bowfell - that's a lot of boulders
The two walkers are on the regular path over to Bowfell from Esk Pike - we would shortly rejoin this path as it intersected with our route from
Bowfell North Top. Pike de Bield is in the foreground with Scafell, Mickledore, Scafell Pike, Ill Crag & Esk Pike to the rear.
Bowfell North Top. Pike de Bield is in the foreground with Scafell, Mickledore, Scafell Pike, Ill Crag & Esk Pike to the rear.
The summit of Bowfell
Crinkle Crags from Bowfell - Pike O'Blisco is to the left
Great Slab
From Great Slab there is a superb view to Bowfell's summit, Cambridge Crags & Bowfell Buttress
With Fudge on Great Slab
Making our descent from Bowfell down to Three Tarns
Descending The Band looking over to Pike O'Blisco
The descent of The Band is gradual and on a good path for the most part.
However, the gradient steepens markedly for the last couple of miles down to Stool End
However, the gradient steepens markedly for the last couple of miles down to Stool End
The Langdale Pikes from The Band
The steepening path down The Band
Herdwick kindergarden at Stool End Farm
Back near the start at the ODG - what a cracking day out
Are you tired Fudge?