Today we tackle Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Old Dungeon Ghyll
Track to Stool End farm. The Crinkles are shrouded in cloud
After Stool End farm, we turn left and make our way initially alongside Oxendale Beck
Time for a quick drink
before we cross the bridge and start the climb to Red Tarn
Looking behind us to the Langdale Pikes. We speak to a chap who is already descending - he had planned the same route as us but did not want to walk in the clouds. We carry on, hoping that the clouds will lift
It is spitting and windy, I stop to put a layer and a hat on
Plenty of water on this first section
We are arriving at the Red Tarn plateau
Red Tarn, where we have our first break
We wait 20 mins for the clouds on the Crinkles to lift, but if anything it is getting worse. We set off, some hikers pass us on the way down - they have given up
This is what awaits us
We persevere, but the way ahead remains uninviting
Clouds swirl around the first Crinkle
This is what the path looks like, the wind is ferocious
and we arrive at a summit in complete whiteout
Almost a view through the clouds...
and we get the impression that perhaps it is clearing ahead of us
Making our way across the Crinkles
We take a short breather
Then carry on
and catch a good sighting of Windermere
There are 5 Crinkles
and we visit them all
For the first time today, Bowfell is free of cloud and the route ahead is clear. 'Three Tarns' in the foreground.
The last part of Crinkle Crags
Before we arrive at 'Three Tarns', of which this is the largest
When we look behind us, we can see Red Tarn where we stopped earlier. It seems to be quite some distance away
Climbing Bowfell
At the summit of Bowfell
Because the weather has now improved and we missed out on some earlier views, we decide to add in an excursion to Esk Pike
from where we can see Derwent Water, Keswick, Skiddaw and more
Summit of Esk Pike
View towards Scafell Pike
Returning via Bowfell, this is the 'Great Slab'
The clear path below is The Band, our return route
We make our way downhill
Stool End farm below
A good side-on view of the Langdale Pikes
Almost at Stool End Farm
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