I had always intended to finish my Wainwright quest on Haystacks. It was one of his favourite fells and his ashes are reputedly scattered by Innominate Tarn. I have looked down onto its gnarly summit plateau many times from the surrounding lofty fells but have deliberately avoided standing on its hallowed ground until today. I always thought a nice fell to accompany Haystacks in a circular walk would be Fleetwith Pike and so these 2 fells were planned as my final 2.
A video of the 2 day hike can be seen above
Having climbed Fellbarrow and Low Fell yesterday, I spent the night in the camper van, got up early and drove to Gatescarth by the south end of Buttermere. The plan was to climb Fleetwith Pike up its steep northwestern ridge.
The Steep Northwestern ridge of Fleetwith Pike
It's a good path all the way to the summit taking in some impressive crags and rocky scenery as well as some short sections of scrambling. The backwards views over the Buttermere valley get better with altitude.
The Buttermere Valley
Fleetwith Pike summit view of Haystacks with Pillar beyond
From Fleetwith Pike, a path picks its way southeast before striking one of the old slate quarry paths heading southwest past Dubs Hut Bothy, crossing Warnscale Beck and then turning westwards towards Haystacks. This is a lovely part of the walk as the path meanders through the impressive crags of Haystacks, past Blackbeck Tarn and the lovely Innominate Tarn before heading up onto the impressive summit.
Dub Hut Bothy
Blackbeck Tarn
The Buttermere Valley
Innominate Tarn with Pillar Behind
Innominate Tarn
Haystacks is certainly a popular fell and indeed it entertained a steady procession of walkers including some large groups while I was there. The summit views are magnificent in all directions and only the lack a good prospect of Buttermere is missing. And this is something easily remedied by a short walk to a rocky outcrop over the other side of the lovely un-named summit tarn. From here, the views north over the Buttermere valley are unsurpassed and certainly worthy of 30 minutes R&R.
The un-named Tarn on Haystacks summit
Mission Accomplished
Stunning Views from Haystacks
It was with some reluctance that I finally left Haystacks and headed down the well worn path back down to Buttermere. For most of the way, the whole route taken from start to finish is in view on the right side.
Magnificent Views of Fleetwith Pike from the descent path
So that was my final Wainwright, all done from Lakes level and all on my own. It ends a journey which started on Helm Crag 16 years ago. I blame 10 years of weekend kids football for the lack of timely progress but also my habit of revisiting old favourite fells by different routes rather than getting on with the matter at hand. But eventually they all got done, even if it took me longer than it took Wainwright himself to walk and then write up all 7 of his pictorial guides. But then I'm guessing he didn't have kids football to contend with.
No comments:
Post a Comment