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So after a lap of Loughrigg and a little play coming down and Empty terrace (never has LR terrace been empty before ever in the history of the Lakes ) I headed up Fairfield from Tounge gill and down from FF over Heron and down to Allcock where the rocks were super ready to had you broadsiding today. Its a great run down from the top . fast and flowy in places and then a bit of tech. top ride . I cant see down riding down TG would be better unless you guys descend via High and Low pike ?
TG?
I love the path above Nab Scar. I think it's brilliant, and also bloody hard for a punter like me. I don't reckon descending H&LP would be anything like as good.
Tounge gill 🙂
For me, Nab Scar is the better descent. I have done Alcock too but Nab Scar is just steeper and more fun in my book. I love the switchbacks.
I think the beauty of Tongue Gill is that you get to ride the scree from the top of Fairfield, which is ace.
We did Grasmere - grisedale tarn - glenridding - keppel cove - Helvellyn - dollywagon - fairfield - alcock tarn yesterday.
Mega day! reminded myself how damn good Grisedale beck is as a descent. Also, how much I hate Keppel Cove as a climb 😂🤦🏻♂️
Big day! How long did that take?
After the previous posts I'd been looking at starting in Grasmere and doing Grisedale beck then back to do Nab Scar but couldn't figure which would be the best way back up? Just back up Grisedale perhaps?
Started at 9, got back to the cars about 4ish. We stopped for coffee in glenridding though so weren’t rushing.
From glenridding you could climb St Sunday crag - there’s a bit of descent to be had from the top before you start the carry to the top of Fairfield.
I may have passed you setting off up Tounge gill around 9ish wondered if you had gone that way.
Ahh, was that you in the green jacket?
Yep Glad I took it with me was a tad breezy on top .
Cheers for the route suggestion Sanny. I started as suggested, up Outerside
https://flic.kr/p/2oeuqtZ
( Beef and Stilton dontcha know)
Then up Causey Pike
Then back along the ridge to Scar Crags
https://flic.kr/p/2oepjRq
That should have been quitenice riding but the wind was huge. Absolutely impossible to cycle against, except downhill. I got over towards Sail
https://flic.kr/p/2oerTMa
and since GP had only been cloud free for 5 minutes in 3 hours, I decided on plan B which was dropping down this path on the left to Rigg Beck.
https://flic.kr/p/2oeuppK
The plan was to do Rigg Beck Then back along Ard Crags, which is the lovely cloud free ridge in the picture above.
Gotta admit, I didn't feel the love for Rigg Beck
https://flic.kr/p/2oetkwN
But TBH I realised at this point that it was the wrong route, for me, that day. I'd did the Bash and Glenderaterra Beck the day before, which was awesome, but I just wasn't feeling the love for storm force winds, bog and riding alone. I stopped at the cafe in Butt'dale ( thank god it was open) then slogged up Newlands pass and then broke left up Knott Rigg.
The wind here was insane, but at least it was behind me. Did the ridge along Ard Crags in the gathering dark
https://flic.kr/p/2oepjWf
( Causey Pike in the background)
And then the plummet down to the east end of Rigg Beck. It had a few nice sections, in a rubble filled ditch sort of way, but I pushed the short 50% gradient bit.
So yes, not a classic day by any means but I'm actually quite pleased that I managed consecutive 1500hm days without expiring.
Tell me about Causey Pike. I get the impression it's a bit of a classic. I presume if you go down the East ridge?
The blue section here exceeds my notional 40% max gradient by a fair bit. Is it insanely hard?
https://flic.kr/p/2oetwR1
Causey- little scramble down off the summit then good steep tech, rideable if you’re lucky with route choice and skilled (I have never linked it in a one-er). From the flat area (sleet hause) on the ridge I take the main path, just a high speed hoot, the path you have marked over Rowling end is not at all rideable for me- several sections of hands on rock when ascending that way.
Edit: save it for a dry spell. The ride west to east along scar crags to Causey is also lovely ridge riding, easy access from Stonycroft.
easy access from Stonycroft.
Ah yes, of course. That lovely wide track presumably goes all the way up to Sail ( and indeed becomes that hairpin monstrosity in my picture above). Follow it all the way to the col, then turn left along Scar Crags and down Causey Ridge.
Cool
I have only ever carried the path up north of Rowling End so have no idea what the descent of Rowling End is like. @justinbieber Any advice?
Great pics but what a difference a week makes. I was deep in snow on the ride when I did it just over a week before you did it.
Oh and the hairpin monstrosity is a rather lovely climbing challenge. The left hand corner sections definitely feel less steep than the right hand ones though.
You were right to bail on Grizedale Pike. The winds there can be particularly fierce even when the rest of a ride can be relatively calm. Best left for a clear and crisp day in my book.
So is that 5 Wainwright tops you managed to do then? Good effort.
Cheers
Sanny
@thegeneralist - climbing the Causey Pike ridge that direction sounds tough. I've only ever done it heading east and then descending the path north of Rowling End same as @TomB. Which also means I can't comment on Rowling End itself, sorry @sanny - I'm such a let down today.
Also, it looks like you descended Sail Beck rather than Rigg Beck. In your pic with the lovely cloud free ridge, the Rigg Beck everyone talks about goes to the left. Sail Beck isn't quite as good (it's a nice climb though), so it's understandable that you didn't feel the love for it.
Causey is ace though, and it's just the right side of rideable for me
Sail beck- nice ‘old school’ mountain biking as a way to get through to Buttermere but not techs or interesting really. Rigg beck, heading the other way from where you joined it, is a hoot.
Ah yes, my bad. I did indeed get confused by people seemingly to refer to the whole stretch as Rigg Beck when the burn itself only goes down one side. The eastern descent did indeed seem betterer when I went up and down it two weeks ago.
Was thoroughly glad to have studded tyres on that day
https://flic.kr/p/2oer6gR
So another entry in the Wainwrights thread. Yesterday was another excellent day out. Parked at the top of Newlands Pass and carried directly up onto Robinson. The Moss was, as expected, mossy but not despairingly so. The steep final section onto Robinson looked like it would be a fun descent to connect up with High Snockrigg. Robinson down to the saddle then up onto Hindscarth was easy fun. The summit of Dale Head gave amazing views. We looked at the old mine zig zag track down into the valley. I definitely fancy a crack at it although you would lose all your height very quickly. The descent down to that point was lovely - steep and fun.
I recall the descent to Dale Head Tarn being steep and not much fun but we all really enjoyed it. The stone pitching was not greasy and we only had to divert off at one point to avoid a group walking up. IO can see why people might not like it but it all went in a steep, on the brakes kind of way. High Spy is an easy carry up and the ride over the ridge to Maiden Moor and Cat Bells is a real delight. We headed down the old mine tracks to Newlands Church then pedalled up the road to the car. I wasn’t ready to call it a day so left Tristan and Pete and did the carry up onto Knott Rigg. It went relatively quickly and the ride across the ridge is a real pleasure as the sun sets. The descent off Ard Crag was interesting on my own in the dark but it went save for one short steep section where I thought it wise to leave for daylight so I could see where I was riding. I really enjoyed it. It feels like steep chute riding through high heather. Overall, a really great day out. Puts me in the mood for riding the Hindscarth Ridge again too.
Cheers
Sanny
I heard that you were over Red Pike way yesterday. Any pics?
I was indeed. Headed up Red Pike, across to High Stile and down to Scarth Gap. We then climbed Haystacks, before dropping via Warnscale Bottom. Lovely techy janky awkwardness all day long. Only took a couple of pics, but they're not for public consumption yet 😉
If you're quick however, you can see a short vid of me descending a steep section towards Scarth Gap on my insta stories: https://www.instagram.com/stories/jamesvincent/3036745306630731658/
One question for you though, why the hell would you park at the top of Newlands? That means you've got a disgusting road climb to finish the day with. Surely you'd have been better starting in the bottom of the valley and get warmed up with a gentle spin up the road!
Did you carry up past Bleaberry Tarn?
Tristan was driving and it meant we could get high quickly. It is an easy spin up even at the end of the day. It also gave me the perfect opportunity to do Knott Rigg and Ard Crags to finish the peaks for the day before riding back to Bassenthwaite. I have Silva lights on test and they were bob on for the last bit of the day.
Yeah, carried past Bleaberry Tarn.
Still think you're a wrongun for starting at the top of Newlands 😀
Sooooooo another weekend of riding. Yesterday was a big one with all kinds of weather - sleet, wind (lots of wind), no really, LOTS, cloud, beautiful sunshine - everything really. Headed up onto the Catseye Cam shoulder and did and out and back to Birkhouse Moor. It was smashing. Just a great traverse. Managed to ride all the way up to the Catseye Cam / Swirral Edge saddle then carried up for a few minutes to the summit of Catseye Cam. I suspect that would make for a good descent back to Glenridding. Swirral Edge was fine apart from one walker who described it as a bit deathy with a bike! We just took it steady with careful foot and hand placement. Helvellyn to Dollywagon Pike was fun as usual. We headed up onto Fairfield and that would make for a storming descent. The route down to Cofa Pike was despair. Just don't bother unless carrying up it onto Fairfield.
St Sunday's Crag was as good as I remembered it. The bottom section is steep and stone pitched but I really enjoyed it. A big day out and worth the effort. Next time I would cut out Fairfield altogether. Still, you have to try it to find out eh?
Today was mint. Started with a short and steep carry up onto Rannerdale Knotts to ride the ridge. It was lovely and a smashing gradual descent for only a bit of effort to get up. Time was limited so we carried up Whiteless Pike and Wandope as opposed to carrying up the Grassmoor Ridge. Whiteless is an awesome descent but is a good way of getting up as there is some respite on the ascent to take a breather and relax. From Wandope, we did a short carry onto Grassmoor and rode the trail that skirts the edge of Gasgale. It is a beautifully flowy descent down to Coledale Hause and was even better this time round without the snow! Definitely a peak that is worth the effort to reach. I would combine it as a loop with a Whiteless Pike descent for sure.
To finish, we headed for Whiteside. Let me just say that the ridge is tremendous. There are two very short sections we didn't ride but it is a stone cold classic. However, the descent off the end is a real disappointment. There are sections of brilliance but two steep sections that are a carry down. I love my tech but it was a real let down. However, all is not lost as I reckon that heading off down to Lorton Dodd would make for a terrific way to enjoy the ridge and descend without the ignominy of having to carry down in places.
Fair play if you can ride down the steep sections of Whiteside. That is hard core!
Cheers
Sanny
For a really good day out, I reckon ride up to Coledale Hause from Newlands then from the saddle head south up the path to the eastern flank of Grassmoor. The carry up on the well defined track is over very quickly and the ride along the edge of Grassmoor is easy going with great views. The descent down along the initially faint path on the edge of the corrie is a banger - fast and flowy fun.
I would then opt to carry up to do the entire Whiteside Ridge but head off down Dodd to Lorton.
From there, I would return by carrying up the steep side of Rannerdale Knotts and riding the ridge which is an absolute delight. Into Buttermere then ride back via Rigg Beck.
It would mean a lot less carrying than we did but yesterday was really all about exploring.
Cheers
Sanny
Hi Sanny.
Headed up onto the Catseye Cam shoulder and did and out and back to Birkhouse Moor
Sounds brilliant. Will add that to the list.
<edit. Just realised the path you mean. We saw it from Sticks and I said to dave that it looked like a brilliant ascent up those bends....
We did St Sunday Crag on Friday.
https://flic.kr/p/2ojdhoZ
We went up via Grisedale and it does indeed look amazing as a descent. Dying to go back.
GT:
https://flic.kr/p/2oj9gCb
Is it better to go down the red path keeping to the ridge ( seemed to peter out in the bog) or drop down the black path to the left? Which then rejoins for the stone pitching section)
https://flic.kr/p/2ojbWcF
Alas we didn't rate SSC that much as the rocky steep bits were a tad hard for us. Shame really, must get better technique.
After cafe we headed up Sticks East
https://flic.kr/p/2ojemVg
The ascent up Sticks to the plateau is brilliant. Loads ofvrideable bits interspersed with quick height gain HaB.
and did Seldom Seen. Which is just stupendous. Much easier than SSC, so more suited to bimblers like us. Soooo much fun
https://flic.kr/p/2oje7Qe
Thursday I was planning some rancid sufferfest at Whinlatter. Luckily commonsense prevailed after 9 mini loops and I headed up GP. It was deeply windy, getting dark, and quite a sprinkling of snow and ice. I scoped out the classic descent line as I went up and am keen to have another crack at it in the spring at the beginning of a day. When I did it last time I was running on empty after doing Whiteless etc.
Anyway I went down Hobcarton End in the dark, which was OK.
Keen to get back and try the proper GP descent....
We headed down the black line trail. I rode Birks as an out and back to nab the summit. It was a bit boggy like you say. The black path is far better. We also avoided the steep rocky band above Birks and went round it on a lovely singletrack path that was 100% rideable. We looked back up the trail and were pleased that we had avoided it in favour of a far superior track.
I reckon from what you are saying that St Sunday Crag down to Grizedale Tarn would be a more rewarding route off for you. It would be stiff old carry up onto St Sunday Crag but you would get the reward of a very long descent back to Glenridding if you did it as a loop.
I would say that Catseye Cam down to Birkhouse Moor would make for a terrific high level ride. You could then retrace your steps to Red Tarn and head down the track we went up. That would be fast and flowy. You could keep going on the trail past the mine buildings too.
Really appreciate the knowledge on Sticks Pass. Only ever ridden down it but it sounds like a nice way up too.
Grizedale Pike is a funny one. Everywhere else can be calm but that ridge can really catch the wind.
Feel free to post more photos. Really nice to see where you went on your latest adventures!
Cheers
Sanny
I did half of Fairfield Saturday. I've walked it 3 times before- anticlockwise- but over 15 years ago. Read the guides (poorly as it turned out- that said do it Clockwise). Left family in Ambleside. Then made a succession of terrible errors that left me climbing up the steps from Rydal with a bike on my back. Before getting on to ride after an hour of carrying. Sitting on a saddle- that snapped- (that bit was just unlucky). Pondering next steps in the snow, and eventually coming down towards Stone Arthur from c700m (walking chunks of it). Terrible map reading. Terrible decision making. What a waste of a day.
Entirely my fault and I take full responsibility. But should I have gone straight on alongside Rydal Beck before left up to Rydal Fell and ignored this map https://www.plotaroute.com/route/260268 which seems to point you up the steep steps at Rydal?
@sanny Grasmoor is great as a descent in it's own right starting from Braithwaite, descending down the faint singletrack on the plateau to Coledale hause is such a delight, feels like you are in the Cairngorms, from Coledale hause down past force crag to Braithwaite is flowy fun with a little tech. Surprised you fell for the Whiteside down the very steep west ridge is good, just look at the contours on the map, certainly a lot of BS being spouted about what constitutes a good MTB ride on this thread!. Down to the Dodd and Lorton is the best descent, it is an absolute corker.
climbing up the steps from Rydal with a bike on my back. Before getting on to ride after an hour of carrying. Sitting on a saddle- that snapped- (that bit was just unlucky). Pondering next steps in the snow, and eventually coming down towards Stone Arthur from c700m (
Nooooooo
I think that one has been discussed to death in this thread. Defo anticlockwise 😉
Gotta go down Rydal steps FTW
Have a look at my brief writeup...
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/high-tops-in-lakes-tomorrow-yay-or-nay/
Didn't do Rydal steps on that occasion, but .....
We headed down the black line trail.
We also avoided the steep rocky band above Birks and went round it on a lovely singletrack path that was 100% rideable.
Ah OK. Looks like we actually did ride most of it. ( Not the band, but most of the rest I think)
@sanny - yeah, Whiteside ridge is a peach isn’t it! I have cleaned the whole ridge to where it drops off the end of the world at the very end. Following someone who knows where they’re going makes it a lot easier - doing it blind would certainly be a challenge.
I’ve only attempted the main whiteside descent once - it’s in that video I posted a while back. There are definitely some bits that are impossible, but I wouldn’t mind going back and having another look some time.
Descending to the right off the main ridge is indeed a great descent - fast n grassy, a few ruts, getting chunkier towards the middle then mellowing out a little before hitting the road.
All been there! Fairfield for me is best via Low and High Sweden Bridge. Up the Rydal way is just plain wrong unless done as an out and back in my book. The steps are great in my experience as a descent or you can head down to the tarn before it for an easier way down.
The stuff off the end of Whiteside was always going to be a gamble from looking at the map but one we chose to take. We got part way down and at the point of having to push down, we decided just to press on. I really looks forward to doing the Dodd trail next time around though. Have to try your Grassmoor route at some point. Sounds ace.
Good effort cleaning the ridge. The wind was fair blowing yesterday so we got off for two very short sections as we had well over 3000 metres of climbing in our legs from the two days and had no desire to **** ourselves through tiredness. It certainly looked like it would all go though.
Out of interest, has anyone ridden Ladyside Pike from below the top scrambly slabs? Does it go? It certainly looks intriguing!
@sanny - cheers. Like I said, I’ve watched people ride it for years so know where the lines are on the steep techy bits. Once you’ve got those dialled it’s ‘relatively’ straight forward.
and yes, we’ve done Ladyside Pike once or twice, but there’s better stuff in the area so it doesn’t get ridden too much
Thread resurrection time.
Yesterday in the glorious sunshine was a return to Skiddaw. I decided to do all nine Wainwright tops and was suitably rewarded for my efforts. Latrigg before nine in the morning with barely a soul about and with Skylark’s singing is a great way to start the day. The climb up Skiddaw was as steep and hard as usual but I managed to ride it all the way up to the singletrack that heads up the small valley to Lonscale Fell. Breaks were had though! The Lonscale singletrack looks like it would be nice to ride down if one headed off Skiddaw at the gate below Little Man.
Lonscale Fell is an out and back on grassy track although the views at the cliffs are worth the effort to reach. There is a track that heads south off the summit that looks worth exploring as a descent. Has anyone ridden it?
Little Man is a fairly easy and quick carry up and is a worthy detour off the main path.
Skiddaw top was unsurprisingly busy but everyone was in good spirits and very chatty.
Not having ridden it before, I headed off the back and rode down to Bakestall summit. It is a nice descent - a bit loose at the top to the lower levelling then a bit steeper down the fence line. I enjoyed it and reckon it would be an option for getting to Skiddaw House. Bakestall offers nice views north and into the valleys. Of course, it is a bit of a schlep back up! I took the chance to scope out the singletrack that heads off the back of Skiddaw towards Criffel direction and have that marked in for another day.
The steep scree track down to Carl Side was as fantastic as I remember it - it is still steep and loose. At the bottom, I had a walker tell me I was amazing for having ridden it. To be fair, it looks scary steep from below so I was chuffed with the compliment. It is funny how different folk see things differently.
Longside Edge and Ullock Pike were their usual brilliant selves but I was pretty shocked by the erosion on Ullock Pike. It’s been a while since I rode it but multiple deep rutted channels have appeared. The stone slab used to take you onto a completely rideable path but now it is a jumbled mess of disappointment. It looks like folk have been creating lines because they couldn’t ride the slab then the rain and wind have done their worst. I was looking at pictures from a previous ride and it is sad to see just how much damage has been done. Part of me wonders if this is a consequence of far heavier use and the advent of e bikes?
The rest of the descent was thankfully still a delight. I rounded the ride off with an ascent off Dodd which was far more enjoyable than I was expecting. The descent down the bench cut trail through the trees reminded me of Switzerland.
Hitting Keswick before 5, I was not ready to call it a day so headed to Seatoller and did Castle Crag to the summit as an out and back. I forgot how much fun the slate switchbacks are!
Overall another great day which takes me neatly to 50 Wainwright summits in 5 trips.
Cheers
Sanny
PS Has anyone ridden the descent off High Spy down past the climbing hut to the valley floor? It looks rather fun. I rode a section of it and enjoyed it. Looks like a good way to get up onto High Spy quickly too.
@sanny - sounds like a mega day out! Sadly you're right - there are too many people and wannabe youtubers on ebikes getting to the top of Skiddaw, then missing every corner on the way down Ullock and making cheat lines everywhere. It's a huge shame.
Not ridden the descent off High Spy past the hut - I've only gone down the steps through the mines if descending to the valley floor that way
I started a new thread on Ullock Pike erosion. Interesting to hear your experience. They aren't even cheat lines - they are just a jumbled mess. I ended up just walking down the section as it does not need me to add to it. I was pretty taken aback. Pete Archer had said to me that it had changed and he wasn't kidding.
The rest of the ride was a banger though. Did my best to leave no trace, gave way to walkers and had a nice chat with several of them to boot. That is one of the things I love about the Lakes - you always meet interesting folk out on the trails.
Cheers
Sanny
A long overdue update from me.
Monday was another day of exploring for me. Started with Eagle Crag - a steep climb up with a couple of short scrambles. Not convinced it would be a great descent unless you like exposure to the point of deathy at the top. Smashing views though.
It is an easy and quick ride over to Sergeant Crag. From there, I followed a singletrack trail through the grass that despite expectations was really dry and easy going. It popped me out at the top of Greenside Edge which has had a lot of trail building happen over the last five years. I am really keen to go back and try it riding back down to both Grasmere and Buttermere.
The ride out and back to Ullscarf was a leisurely potter on mostly dry compressed grass. I doubled back and rode most of the ascent up onto High Raise. From there, with the ground so dry, it would make for a lovely high level route over towards the Langdale Pikes. In the interests of summit bagging, I did Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man (looks like there is a very promising clear track off the top of it towards Grasmere that I need to investigate), Pavel Ark (stunning views), Harrison Stickle (again great views but I would head north off it next time as the first down is a bit too steep and rocky so needed a bit of carrying down) and Pike o Blisco (nice wee cheeky scramble up the back side of it that is a lot easier than it at first appears. I had no expectations about the trail to the top of Stake Pass but it was a real delight. Linking up from High Raise on a dry day like I had would be a real in the mountains treat!
From Stake, I rode much of the way up to Rossett Pike. There were tell tale tyre tracks so I reckon this gets ridden in the other direction fairly frequently.
Stopping at Angle Tarn, I met a couple who were visiting every high spot in every county in England, Wales and Scotland while cycling in between. Sounds like a bloody brilliant adventure. As it was sunny. I kept on going up onto Great End. This is not a hugely popular summit but it would make for a terrific descent all the way down to Styhead Tarn. Amazing views and I even had a couple of gliders soar past me for company.
The traverse to Scafell Pike is a bit of a pain over the boulder field but I was rewarded with being the only person at the top on a beautiful evening. The descent towards Wasdale is loose and a bit meh. It would be a total pain to do if there were lots of walkers. I cut off on to the Corridor Route and bagged Lingmell on the way down.
I have mixed emotions about the Corridor Route. There were three sections that I had to carry up, along or down while fix the fells have put in a load of stone pitching which means it is a bit awkwardly stop starty. I was hugely looking forward to it but came away disappointed. I think I need to go back and ride it fresh as it is a real trialsy trail. One for the fat bike I reckon. By the time I rode it, it was late in the day and I was wary of coming off and spannering myself so walked a few bits I would normally ride without stopping to think.
So a properly big day out but on balance it was a very rewarding one. I reckon riding the plateau around Ullscarf and High Raise would make for a lovely day out with the option of heading down Greenside, Stake, Rosset Ghyll or even Styhead Tarn to get down.
In terms of route planning, hoping for some local knowledge now.
Glaramara - Has anyone ridden it from south to north down Thornythwaite Fell?
Great Gable - would I be better descending off it down Aaron Slack or the south east ridge to the Stretcher Box? Ridden the former and it was ok but not great. Bit of a rock scree slide.
Also, has anyone ridden the trail down the eastern side of Glaramara to Blackmoss Pot? Classic or crap? Would I be better doing the Rossett Pike and Stake Pass descent instead?
Thoughts?
Cheers
Sanny
That's some day Sanny, and a good few Wainrights ticked off! What was your total elavation for the day?
I've not heard of anyone riding Scafell before, is much rideable?
I've got the corridor route on my list too. Three sections to walk down doesn't sound too bad - I'm going to keep it on my list 😀
Not ridden Glaramara heading north - that too is on my list. I've heard it's good with some scrambly bits. Definitely worth trying at least once...
Never been up Great Gable either. That too is on my list (crikey, this is a long list).
However, I've never considered dropping from Glaramara to Blackmoss Pot. That isn't on my list 🙂
Glaramara- apart from the rocky summit the route down thorneythwaite is a good ride from memory, a bit vague above raven crag becoming a fun, all rideable good path. Its many years since I rode it but often there on foot. Can't comment on east side, can't imagine it being much fun.
Gable- SE ridge is a steep pitched path, maybe ok if you like that sort of thing, not my bag, and agree aaron slack isn't great either.
Great trip report- I wouldn't go over to scafell pike from GE for fun with a bike, it's bad enough on foot!
Started with Eagle Crag – a steep climb up with a couple of short scrambles. Not convinced it would be a great descent unless you like exposure to the point of deathy at the top. Smashing views though.
It is an easy and quick ride over to Sergeant Crag.
You've confused the absute bejesus out of me. Can I suggest you start your posts with a general clue such as " I started in West end of Langdale, South end of Borrowdale os something to set the scene. 🙂
I have no clue where eagle crag is. Seargant crag makes me think Langstrath... 'zat right.
Greenside Edge which has had a lot of trail building happen over the last five years. I am really keen to go back and try it riding back down to both Grasmere and Buttermere.
Greenside <>Greenup?.... must be Greenup..
I'm desperately trying to thing of a hill that has Grasmere on one side and Buttdale on the other
Great Gable – would I be better descending off it down Aaron Slack or the south east ridge to the Stretcher Box?
Doooooh. I walked up from stretcher box with the family and made a strict point of assessing every step and the full route for rideability. But I can't recall what the bloody conclusion was. Which leads me to think it must have been a 'no' . But I'm by no means sure, soz
I had no expectations about the trail to the top of Stake
Ooh. Interesting. I'm in langdale next week + fam and am thinking if dragging the wean and his shiny new bike up Stake south and them east towards Harrison Stickle and then descending a footpath from there to ODG. We were both scoping it out at Easter as we walked back down from a family scramble.
Is Stake east to Harrison at all rideable?
From Stake, I rode much of the way up to Rossett Pike. There were tell tale tyre tracks so I reckon this gets ridden in the other direction fairly frequently.
Mmmm yes. I think this is much preferable way to do the infamous Borrowdale, Stake, Langdale, Rosset Gyll, Styhead STW route. It can get boggy but should be fine now.
. I kept on going up onto Great End. This is not a hugely popular summit but it would make for a terrific descent all the way down to Styhead Tarn.
Yes totally agree. When I did Bowfell and Esk Pike I decided that Great End to Borrowdale via Esk House, Styhead etc would be brilliant. Got it on my list to do next time I'm in borrowdale.
Thanks guys!
Apologies. I started the climb up Eagle Crag at the end of Langstrath Valley where it joins up with the Stake Pass Valley.
Greenside should have said Greenup Edge. You head south up the western flank of Ullscarf to get to the saddle. Looks like there has been a lot of work done. I wrote it up for the mag pre lockdown so suggest you search out that issue. I did it as a loop with Stake Pass. It was a magic day out.
Stake East up from the saddle would be pretty rideable for much of the up at the start but then steepens and gets rockier near the top where you would be off and pushing for a while. Which route down ODG are you thinking? Really keen to hear how that goes as the main tourist path at the top will have carry downs. Sounds pretty full on to me so post pics!!!!!!!
I suspect given that the top of Scafell is really loose but rideable, heading down to Wasdale will no doubt be more of the same. Check out the link attached.
http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/scafellpike_r1.htm
Lots of stone pitching further down but I reckon it would be worth a try on an evening once the masses have gone. I saw one person between Great End and the summit on Monday. I hit the summit about half seven so despite it being probably the busiest peak in England, you can do it when nobody is about and thus avoid any walkers getting upset. Would I give it a go? Absolutely. Planning a return trip to attempt it.
Oh and my route was over 7000 feet in 24 miles. Bit of a meaty day.
That is great local knowledge re Glaramara which is now next on the list. Planning it as a circuit starting with Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. That will be an eleven top ride.
I’ll hold off recommending the Corridor Route until I have another go at it fresh and with a mate to get help if it all goes wrong! The scramble up in the middle with a bike is fine as long as you take little steps and are comfortable on steep terrain. It looks a little daunting but I felt pretty relaxed doing it.
So what else are folk planning in the Lakes?
Where else are you contemplating but have yet to explore?
Cheers
Sanny
PS Doing the Wainwright tops is proving to be a great way of linking up trails that I have always wondered whether they would go. It is encouraging me to explore places that I would not normally have done.
PS Sergeant Man down to Easedale Tarn. Has anyone given this a bash? I know the bottom section really well but not the bit between the summit and the Tarn. Thoughts?
Which route down ODG are you thinking?
Looks like it varies from 30% to 35%, which is a worry! (40% is generally my limit, though of course the ground conditions are just as important as the gradient)
But we both agreed it looked good. But then that's easy to say when you don't have a bike with you 😁
@sanny Shout if you could tolerate company for a midweek mission fir Glaramara or something.. I've got a couple of days each month I could use