Ascent of Red Pike and High Stile from Buttermere

Arriving in Buttermere, there was just a smattering of low cloud to add a bit of atmosphere to the picture.

            The Bridge crossing the water between Buttermere and Crummock Water.

                After crossing the bridge there began a long climb up through the forest.

                          Coming out of the forest, the climb continued relentlessly.

                                               Clouds are gathering over Buttermere.

                                 Sourmilk Gill spilling down from Bleaberry Tarn.

On the way to the tarn I was caught up by a young lady, she was doing the same walk as myself but was also going over Haystacks as well. Clouds were gathering about the summits

above the tarn.

Nickola, the young lady, is a seasoned walker, and far fitter than myself, leaving me in her wake.

She was waiting for me at the summit, and took this picture of me beside the cairn, 2477ft (such as it is)

              Although we were in sunshine, the gathering clouds below spoilt the view.

                    As we set off for High Stile things weren't getting any better.

                  But the cloud did give the deep rocky gullies a kind of atmosphere.

                 Looking back, a break in the cloud reveals the summit of Red Pike.

        Nickola took this one of me beside the more substantial cairn of High Stile, 2647 ft

                                                                 Still a white out

                                                         

As we neared the path down to Buttermere, where I was to head down the cloud was beginning to break up. I thanked Nickola for her company and settled down for my dinner while Nickola continued on to Haystacks. However I didn't stay there very long as there was an invasion of flying ants, which forced me to find another place for my victuals.

                           Haystacks with a little wisp of cloud on it's summit.

                                Visibility is improving as I make my way down.

Once down at the end of Buttermere an easy near flat walk to the other end of the lake, and I was soon back at the car.                                                                                                             It has its advantages being an old man. I enjoyed walking with Nickola, and because of my age I was not seen as a threat. If I had been a young man she probably wouldn't have spent the time of day with me.                         DK