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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Lake District => Topic started by: pdstsp on 18:52:06, 20/02/19

Title: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: pdstsp on 18:52:06, 20/02/19
A couple of weeks ago I had a Sunday and Monday in Buttermere.  Sunday was blowy and the clag didn't lift from the high fells,so I did a bit of a meander up Rannderdale Knotts and Whiteless Pike - I was hoping the cloud would lift, as it did over most of the Lakes, but it stayed down, so I dropped down to Crummock Water and Buttermere for a low level afternoon.


But Monday dawned clear and blue, with a sprinkling of snow on the tops.  My chosen route was Sourmilk Gill to Bleaberry Tarn and then up onto Red Pike.  The lady in the hotel described the path as the Devil's staircase, and it certainly had a lot of stony steps, but the views more than made up for it;
Towards Fleetwith Pike from just above the trees


(http://i66.tinypic.com/2q99boh.jpg)


Buttermere and Grasmoor from a bit further up;


(http://i64.tinypic.com/10fck88.jpg)


The scenery changes as you reach Bleaberry Tarn, with the walls of Red Pike and High Stile surrounding


(http://i65.tinypic.com/2n6clft.jpg)


The route up from Bleaberry starts off relatively easy before steepening at The Saddle.  There was a little more snow here, but it was soft and there was no ice to speak of.


Reflections in the tarn
 (http://i67.tinypic.com/htd47k.jpg)


The final push to the summit was obviously loose scree/shale type stuff - quite hard going.  Just before the summit of Red Pike is a short gully, and this was pretty chocked with snow, quite soft and with big steps in it.  Then the summit plateau;


Looking towards High Stile
(http://i68.tinypic.com/16h0xsg.jpg)
Summit of Red Pike


(http://i68.tinypic.com/2nhf2w3.jpg)


I met two fellrunners on Red Pike and a walker on High Crag, and that was it for the day, until the Buttermere lake path


Leave only footprints;
(http://i68.tinypic.com/358w6ll.jpg)


Now, I'm thinking this is from High Stile, but really, who knows;
(http://i66.tinypic.com/2v8o94g.jpg)


Pillar, being Pillar, and looking great
(http://i67.tinypic.com/9qy7pu.jpg)


View down to Crummock Water
(http://i65.tinypic.com/xc5d2.jpg)


From High Crag I descended to Seat and Scarth Gap before making my sad way back to Buttermere.  I love this corner of the Lakes, and had a great day. 



Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: Ridge on 18:58:33, 20/02/19
Lovely pictures, looks like you had a stunning day for it.
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: photonut on 19:01:22, 20/02/19
Superb pics Paul.  That's such a nice route even with Devils Staircase

There is something very appealing about Buttermere.

Cheers
Lee
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: vghikers on 19:03:14, 20/02/19
Brilliant day and photos. 'Looking towards High Stile' is particularly sharp and dramatic.  O0
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: pdstsp on 19:15:33, 20/02/19
Thanks Ridge - it really was a lovely day, and so so quiet.


Cheers Lee - yes there is something appealing about Buttermere, but the Fish was closed so I had my beers in the Bridge ;D


Cheers vghikers - mix of sun, blue sky, wispy cloud and snow makes for great scenery doesn't it?


Paul
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: Innominate Man on 20:30:38, 20/02/19
The kind of day that makes everything worthwhile. Great photos  O0
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: beefy on 20:54:25, 20/02/19
Stunning shots, I love days like this with the snow and the sun O0
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: April on 22:19:31, 20/02/19
More fabulous pics  O0 Love the reflections in the tarn shot  :)
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: MarkT on 22:21:17, 20/02/19
whats the emoji for jealous?
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: pdstsp on 09:20:05, 21/02/19
Thanks IM, April and Beefy - I love winter walking, it always seems special when you get perfect conditions!  Especially on a Monday.


MarkT - I don't know, but I wish there was one for some  of the reports on here!




Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: adalard on 09:24:14, 21/02/19
Looks like a cracking day on the fells and you got great pictures of it.   O0


Another vote for "Looking towards High Stile" from me as favourite, a beautiful photo!
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: photonut on 09:38:19, 21/02/19

Cheers Lee - yes there is something appealing about Buttermere, but the Fish was closed so I had my beers in the Bridge ;D


Bit of a shame that... wonder why the Fish was closed? Drinking in the Bridge... tough times, tough times  ;D
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: pdstsp on 10:38:35, 21/02/19
Thanks Adalard - it's a lovely view! 


Lee - it was closed  for a couple of weeks according to the website - nothing to worry about!  I do like the bar in the Bridge, I just don't like the price of staying there!
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: richardh1905 on 11:08:55, 21/02/19
Lovely photos of a delightful corner of the Lakes.
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: MarkT on 14:26:42, 21/02/19
Great pics from the best area of the Lakes.
Title: Re: Red Pike Buttermere
Post by: pdstsp on 14:58:48, 21/02/19
Thanks Richard and Mark - much appreciated.