Walk : High Crag (2,443 ft) and High Stile (2,644
ft) from Gatesgarth Farm
Date : 10th August 2021
Weather : Dry, largely overcast @ 15°C
Distance : 6.2 miles round trip
Time
Taken : 2 hours 30 mins to
first summit (High Crag)
Which
part of Lakeland is this walk situated
Terrain Overview
Overview
The view across Buttermere that you
see when approaching Gatesgarth Farm of High Crag and
High Stile is
quite intimidating and looks quite a
hostile climb. True, it is a challenging walk once past Scarth
Gap, there is
however, a good path which does
makes navigation straightforward and the views all round are absolutely
spectacular. Care is needed on the
steep scree sections when ascending High Crag
The car park at Gatesgarth Farm is the
start point for this walk. The charge (at the time of writing) was £4 all day
and
there is an overflow car park over the road
Cross the road and take the path that leads through the farm
The track crosses Peggy’s Bridge and leads to the start of the
climbing section which (as shown) which initially skirts
round a small wooded area before getting on to the path proper to Scarth Gap
The start of the climb
The initial climb is quite steep and has been stepped to assist
After about 3 or 4 hundred yards the path turns left and leads out
to the open fell side
Looking towards Fleetwith Pike from the
path
Again, the path is stepped in some of the more
steep parts
A close up look at Haystacks which features large in the viewing
scope on the way up to Scarth Gap
Approaching the hand gate – after which point the path turns more
rocky
On reaching a break in the wall, the path veers slightly left
The cairn marker at Scarth Gap. From
here it’s a left turn to climb Haystacks or a right turn (that we make) to
initially
climb Seat en route to High Crag
The path up to the North Tower on Haystacks
Looking across the Ennerdale valley to Kirk Fell and Pillar from Scarth Gap
Believe it or not there is a path in between the boulders on Seat
The start of the path
Looking over Buttermere to Grasmoor
Looking across the Ennerdale valley towards Pillar
The zig zag path up to the summit of High Crag does look
precarious. It is steep but is stepped for a large part, it does
however, end abruptly leaving a section of scree to negotiate
which needs a little care but nothing too onerous
Starting the steep climb up to the summit
The start of the scree section
Looking
back towards Green and Great Gable (centre) and Kirk Fell on the right
Thankfully the summit cairn comes in to view
Made it!! – The Spud Meister on the summit of High Crag. Click
here for a 360-degree view … https://youtu.be/sZs3iCCgDlc
Looking across to the North Western fells from the summit of High
Crag
From the summit – here is a view of what Wainwright described as
the finest ridge mile in Lakeland to High Stile
Looking across to Steeple and Scoat Fell
from the summit
Looking towards Ennerdale Water from the ridge towards High Stile
The path to High Stile skirts the edge of the ridge in parts and
affords some dramatic views
Sue takes a moment to pause and take in the views
A close-up view of Pillar showing Pillar Rock and the Shamrock
Traverse
On the final approach to High Stile, the path becomes less steep
and skirts the edge
The summit cairn comes in to view
Me and Spud on the summit of High Stile and this particular top
represents a personal mile stone of 200
Wainwright Fells. Click here for a 360-degree view … https://youtu.be/dcuaxoc2VVo
Looking towards the Scafell group from the summit
Looking back up the Ennerdale valley towards Kirk Fell and a
shrouded Great Gable
Looking across to Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike and Wandope
We reverse our journey back down and catch the early evening
sunlight casting its shadows across the North West Fells
All most back down now and a final view of Buttermere
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