Wed 3 Sep 2014
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| Wrynose Pass |
We started today's walk at 1,200 feet after parking at Wrynose Pass. I
started up the track to Great Carrs with Andrew whose destination was Grey Friar, but I went only a couple of
hundred feet and stopped to wait for his return. He was back by about 12:20 and
we had our lunch snack by the car.
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| Grey Friar (right) from path to Red Tarn |
We then set off up to Red Tarn, which we reached much sooner than I expected, and thence to Pike O' Blisco which seemed to take longer than I expected!
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| Red Tarn |
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| Summit of Pike O' Blisco, with flying ants |
At the summit we were deterred from lingering by an incredibly large swarm of flying ants, which carpeted the ground as well as encircling the cairn. It was similar on the secondary summit. We set off down to the pass above Red Tarn and parted company, Andrew marching off to gain the top of Cold Pike, and I over the top of Long Crag to see Wainwright's tall pyramidal stone on Black Crag.
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| Black Crag with more ants - climbing variety |
AW says in his book that he could find no evidence on the ground, nor in any climbing guides, that climbers used the crags but today we saw a number tackling Long Crag as we ascended to the tarn, and there were more on Black Crag when I reached it later. Then others arrived, some carrying mattresses, suggesting novices were using the crag for training.
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AW's pyramid |
AW was right to wax lyrical about his 'discovery'; it is impressive, and appears to have a small carving on it as he shows in his picture, but it is a natural mark. I took several photos, and some of the climbers, before descending easily to wait for Andrew just above the path.
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| Cold Pike with yet another ant! |
From there I looked for him on the summit of Cold Pike and saw a figure by the small cairn, and later on the ridge prior to descending to the path. However, somehow I lost sight of him, and although I scanned the fellside minutely several times I couldn't see him. I began to fear he had injured himself or was trying to get down over the craggy area above the pass. I waited for about twenty minutes, fearing for the second time this week that I might yet need to alert the mountain rescue.* I decided to get to the car where I had his telephone number and try to contact him.
Much to my relief, but also disgust, he was there waiting for me! He had arrived only fifteen minutes earlier. He swore he had come down from the ridge by a route we had noted earlier, to the path just below where I was waiting: I had somehow completely missed him - astonishing!
We set off back by the narrow lanes along which Andrew doesn't enjoy driving and stopped at the excellent fish-and-chip shop near Greenodd for a much-needed snack. All in all, an excellent day on the fells, of which three extra for Andrew.
Much to my relief, but also disgust, he was there waiting for me! He had arrived only fifteen minutes earlier. He swore he had come down from the ridge by a route we had noted earlier, to the path just below where I was waiting: I had somehow completely missed him - astonishing!
We set off back by the narrow lanes along which Andrew doesn't enjoy driving and stopped at the excellent fish-and-chip shop near Greenodd for a much-needed snack. All in all, an excellent day on the fells, of which three extra for Andrew.
* On 1 September Andrew had set off to cover the seven fells of Graystones, Ling Fell, Sale Fell, Broom Fell, Lord's Seat, Barf, and Whinlatter. He hadn't returned by eight o'clock, and I was worried. I was relieved, of course, to later find he was safe, but puzzled that he had found the day gruelling. I had enjoyed this circuit on a warm day in June 2010.
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| Sale Fell from Ling Fell, 17 Jun 2010 |
