Ascent of Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks from Honister. 7.75 miles 2400 ft. Walkers Michael D and Danny K

                 Daybreak at Honister Slate Mines. Michael is eager to get started on our walk.

As we walk through the grounds of the slate mine, ahead of us is Honister Crag. Fleetwith Pike lies behind it but out of sight.

                                                 Heading up a well constructed path.

It is quite chilly but the climb soon gets the blood pumping to warm us up. The sun is just coming up and lighting up Dale Head Crags on the opposite side of the Honister Pass.

                     The sun is now breaking cover above Gray Knott over to our left.

                                 Michael beside the summit cairn of Fleetwith Pike.

                                                                      Ditto. Danny.

                         Buttermere and Crummock Water in the early morning haze.

As we make our way down, the dark crags of Haystacks are in the shade, and likely to be for most of the day.

Among the spoils of a quarry, a Bothy has been built, to provide refuge for anyone in difficulties.

                    

Inside the Bothy are some hard wooden beds, chairs, a stove and some basic provisions. Someone has even put up some Christmas lights. Not luxurious, but better than the alternative.

Well hidden, at the bottom of a scree fall, below Haystacks crags is another bothy, but it appears to be occupied.

                          The entrance to it, is through a narrow doorway round the back.

                                                           Inside the bothy is, guess who ??

                                    You would never have guessed would you ?😇

Apart from Father Christmas, other people had been in occupation. For as we entered we found three rucksacks, some walking sticks plus other belongings, but there was no sign of the owners. We decided to leave the sprigs of Christmas tree as a gift for the occupants when they returned.

The view out of the window of the bothy was just lovely. People pay many thousands of pound to have a view like that.

       We leave the bothy, closing the door behind us, to continue our climb of Haystacks.

Looking back to Helwith Pike. As we make our way up the edge of the crags, we noticed three people, two young men and a young lady on their way down. Furthermore they were not carrying rucksacks. When we met, we enquired if they were the people occupying the bothy. Last night we did said one of the lads, and it was freezing. Did you sleep on the hard wooden beds we asked? We did he replied, the others joined in emphasizing how cold it was. We told them we had left a little decoration for them. They thanked us and went on their way.

       We continued our climb, reaching a plateau, further on we passed Blackbeck Tarn.

        From here we descend before climbing back up to the bulk of the mountain. (centre)

      

                                  We passed across the edge of Inordinate Tarn.

Haystacks has two summit cairns, separated by a valley. This is the slightly lower one. Fleetwith Pike is in the background, to the left.

     

Michael at the other summit, trying to report to base camp, but was having difficulty getting a signal.

                           On the way back down, Great Gable in centre of picture

                                          Thanks for a very good walk Michael.

                                                                          DK