Reduced visibility due to low clouds on Fleetwith Pike

STD

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] [W]

REX May 03, 2026 Honister, Black Star, Fleetwith Pike

Start Point, Map

Distance 4.96 km, Time 1.53 h, Total Ascent 324 m Imperial | Metric

Low clouds again as you can see in the picture and video taken from Threlkeld...

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 2, May 03, 2026

The forecast suggests that Western Fells might be a better bet, so we head for Honister planning a Fleetwith Pike and Hay Stacks round.

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 3, May 03, 2026

Pretty cloudy at Honister as well,

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 4, May 03, 2026

as we set off up the old mine route

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 5, May 03, 2026

The large commemorative piece of slate

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 6, May 03, 2026

Is that Fleetwith Pike ahead? Not quite, but nearly

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 7, May 03, 2026

This is 'Black Star'

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 8, May 03, 2026

And we arrive shortly at the summit of Fleetwith Pike. Rex looks how I feel...

No visibility in this image of low clouds and wind buffeting Rex on Fleetwith Pike, May 03, 2026

A lovely image of Buttermere with Crummock Water behind [largely in the imagination]. In addition to the whiteout, it really is quite windy

For some reason, the GPS on my telephone started playing up in a major way on Fleetwith Pike. For a good 15 minutes it was directing me SSW from the summit, towards Striddle Crag, which is potentially dangerous. I knew the correct approximate direction was S / SE.
This highlights the importance of planning the route on a map beforehand and not relying completely on electronics.

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 9, May 03, 2026

With this view of the route to Hay Stacks ahead, we decide to cut the hike short. It's an easy enough climb, but with no views from the summit and strong winds, where's the fun in it?

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 10, May 03, 2026

Dropping down towards Dubs, I can let Rex off away from the path for a while

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 11, May 03, 2026

Dubs Hut, a good landmark if you need it

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 12, May 03, 2026

Even here the clouds are all around us

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 13, May 03, 2026

Rex does a pose

Fleetwith Pike [whiteout] - Image 14, May 03, 2026

and then we make our way safely back to Honister

Start: Honister

1) "Honister rambler" bus from Keswick to Honister
2) All day car parking, toilets and café at Honister Slate Mine [NY 22414 13561]

Route

Honister, Black Star, Fleetwith Pike
Distance 4.96 km, Time 1.53 h, Total Ascent 324 m
Wainwright Pictorial Guide: The Western Fells

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Please do your own research to verify current routes and information on car parking, bus services and so on

Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless otherwise indicated.
Distance, Hike Time and Total Ascent as supplied by OS. Image shows planned route. Scale: 1 to 12500
Distance 4.96 km, Time 1.53 h, Total Ascent 324 m

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