We awoke to a slightly brighter, but very windy, day. Our plan was to go up Pillar (@892m) but, a) it was still in cloud and b) Colin warned us that there might be a precipitous drop. Regular followers may recall that my mate Pete doesn’t like heights, nor me for that matter in strong winds, so we gave it a miss. This left us with the straightforward route up the Black Sail pass into Ennerdale. From there we would ascend to Scarth Gap and then turn right (east) up to Alfred Wainwright’s favourite peak, Haystacks. (Here I have to disagree with the great man, as I found it a rather dull and muddled peak, with 4 apparent tops, but each to his or her own…)
Once there we had a mini-rebellion, as Colin decided he didn’t fancy the ridge walk along High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike in gale force winds and so he took the direct route down to Buttermere. Pete and I felt it was too good an opportunity to miss (and we didn’t want to get to the pub too early), so we braved what must have been 60 mph plus winds on the top. I’m sure both of my feet were off the ground at one point!
As you’ll see from the later pictures below, we were rewarded with some fabulous views – including our expected route the following day above Buttermere village.
Alittlebitoutoffocus 
Good photos especially of Fleetwith Pike. Are you attempting all Wainwrights?
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Thanks. Fleetwith Pike is certainly very photogenic ! But, no, we were just doing one of our regular walks, though we were trying and pick off some peaks that at least I hadn’t done before. I’m not really into tick lists I’m afraid.
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I know what you mean, I’m not into tick lists either, but as a native Cumbrian it just had to be done. I was also challenged by some mountaineering mates to do the remaining 130 Wainwrights as training pre a Himalayan trip!
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Ah well, I can understand your need to ‘bag’ all your local peaks. I’ve done that over here (in the Val d’Hérens). Trouble is, there are some you cannot reach (unless your a climber or mountaineer). Enjoy your Himalayan trip !
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Himalayan trips ended 9 years ago! But I had a good run with a Nepali wife!
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Sounds interesting ! If you’re still into walking and bagging some slightly higher peaks (though not as high as the Himalaya), you might like to consider the Swiss Alps. Check out this article that I did for CiceroneExtra for more details of our region: http://www.cicerone-extra.com/article/index.cfm?articleid=286&title=Walking-in-the-Val-d%E2%80%99H%C3%A9rens#.Vri_kDb2a3B
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Done quite a few around Saas. Allalinhorn, Weissmeiss, Nadelhorn, Ulrichshorn, and a few others back towards Visp. Quite a few around Chamonix too.
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You’re obviously a mountaineer. You didn’t by any chance do those with a guiding company (called Moran Mountaineering) ?
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No, did them with my son in law, also a mountaineer and climbing instructor. Used an expert as a partner for ice climbing in La Grave and also a Sherpa close friend for Nepal stuff.
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Love this series Mike…I never did really visit the Lake District but one day we’ll make it back over there and explore this area.
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Thanks Jamesie. It’s a beautiful part of England (probably the best part imv), but you are at the mercy of the weather. On a good day it’s magnificent, but on a rainy day it can be dismal. Though there are some nice towns to visit and some great pubs of course ! 🙂 Though the ‘holiday’ series is nowhere near finished yet…
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Wow, beautiful pictures!
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Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed them. 😊 (Though that walk does seem a long time ago now!)
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What a fantastic walk, Mike, but I had gone down before Colin 😀
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Pete doesn’t like heights either, but the ridge wasn’t that narrow. So not much to worry about – except the wind which nearly took the rain cover off my rucksack! 😧
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