But the views make all the hard work worth it. Whilst on our ridge ascent at times the conical summit of Ill Crag was sometimes lost behind walls of crags & scree, after more hands on scrambling & with the summit out of sight we topped out on a grassy purchase only to realise that the summit was in fact, much farther away than we had anticipated. Scafell Pike – 978m . ).That’s enough of a mountain day for most, but wait! Set high above Upper Eskdale and The Great Moss, with views over to Scafell, Slight Side, Esk Pike, and Crinkle Crags, it's pretty fantastic. It is at this point that I was reminded of my own ascent on Pen last year from where after I would take on Scafell Pike via the interconnecting ridge of Rough Crag, the fact that back then & today the conditions were almost identical. The adrenalin rush over, Cofa Pike deposited me on the always busy Fairfield, and it was, I … ... Long Pike ridge. Our ascent on Ill Crag via the Cockly Pike ridge took us the best part of ninety minutes, it was ninety minutes of adrenalin fuelled heart thumping action & I for one will never complain that a ridge ascent was over too soon. ... descend to Eskdale via the grade 1 route on Ill crag (Cockley Pike ridge?). This can include 'βeta' which is crucial information about the route which may be how to do a move, or tips about hidden holds or gear. It is an unusual starting point for the ascent of Grey Friar but proves an interesting round. Should be back that way in the summer with a few of the lads as we want to get on to Ill Crag via the Cockley Pike Ridge scramble and then on to Broad Crag. now that the sun is also shining on Bowfell at the end. From here contour around again until you come to crags with a gully on the right. Tim had stopped off at MacDonald’s before he picked me up this morning & duly handed me a Sausage & Egg McMuffin for the journey up to Lakeland which was marred by the fact that we couldn’t access the M6 from Junction 26 because of roadworks, instead I guided Tim through a slight detour until we reached Junction 27 a little further north. After crossing over a cleverly disguised stile in the wall, the going got really tough as the chosen route climbed steeply up the fellside. Clear Warm & Sunny,light Winds, Highs Of 22°C Lows Of 12°C, Jubilee Bridge – Brotherikeld – Taw House – Scale Bridge – Damas Dubs – Great Moss – River Esk – Sampson’s Stones – Cockly Pike – Cockly Pike Ridge – Ill Crag – Calf Cove – Esk Hause – Esk Pike – Ore Gap – Yeastyrigg Gill – Lingcove Beck – Lingcove Bridge – Brotherikeld – Jubilee Bridge. Our path can be seen in the right hand side of the photo, it really is quite an obvious path but not one I would like to find myself upon should the cloud & mist come down, today however we don’t have any issues with cloud & the views weren’t too bad either. . It is an unusual starting point for the ascent of Grey Friar but proves an interesting round. No need to register, buy now! The outstanding feature is a lengthy south ridge, bounded by the River Esk westwards, and to the east, by Yeastyrigg Gill and Lingcove Beck: a ridge with many abrupt crags. We take in the last miles under the duress of a brilliant afternoon sun as we pass more paddlers who spend their afternoon up to their waist cooling off in the River Esk, Tim & I can only look on as the dust rises from the heels of our boots’ we finish off the remainders of our Hydration Packs & water bottles. At around 400 metres of height gain this is probably the longest scramble in England, with the added bonus of finishing on a high mountain summit that can offer absolutely gobsmacking views. Going from the Eskdale valley up Cockley Pike Ridge then onto Scafell Pike is a very enjoyable scrambling day out. Pinnacle Ridge, St Sunday Crag A classic grade 3 scramble, in a fantastic setting, with a steep crux corner. After failing to find the cause of what was going on I can only assume that a rescue was underway, I only hope it was nothing too serious. Or you could go straight back down Grisedale to the bright lights of Glenridding. It’s in the name… It’s meaning is said to derive from … Inside Philadelphia, it is called Ridge Avenue.Going westward, it traverses many eastern Pennsylvania neighborhoods including Conshohocken and beyond, eventually connecting with Germantown Pike to the west. After crossing over a cleverly disguised stile in the wall, the going got really tough as the chosen route climbed steeply up the fellside. We soon made our way down to the top of Calf Cove passing more & more groups of walkers along the way, by the looks of things Scafell Pike will be one busy summit today, we both agreed that given the fact that today is the Summer Solstice, walkers would still be here at 9pm this evening making the best out of the years longest day. It was time to make our exit by taking a right at Ore Gap via Yeastyrigg Gill, here I am cursed as I go over on my right ankle not once but twice consecutively, I have no excuse for my clumsiness but the small stones that are rattling & causing such pain in both my boots. Esk Pike, Bowfell and the Crinkles all in a line. The north face of Spionkop Ridge look s quite intimidating from below, t hankfully the lay of the ridge ke eps most of the wind at bay. This photo was taken from where the last red dot can be seen in the previous photo, we followed a steep grassy rake which soon tuned into fixed boulder scree, getting around or over the boulders just added to the excitement of the ascent as the rock was porous giving excellent grip throughout the ascent. Plotted with the plotaroute.com route planner. I somehow manage to nip ahead of Tim & found myself at a blind bend in the path first, here the sight of Slight Side was just sensational & was a real impressive surprise to Tim by the time he had caught up with me. ... Long Pike ridge. Cockley Pike Ridge - one of the longest continuous scrambles in the Lake District and the setting alone should merit 3 stars. It all started at McDonald’s, back in Wigan. Tim I’m gonna have to take the boots off & empty the stones out. Langdale 2 Pike o’ Stickle ­ Face route 2 16km / 10 miles An intricate scramble on a high, exposed mountain buttress; well worth the effort of gaining the first rocks. This scramble takes you up a gully to the left of it, great fun! Not content with disturbing the sleeping sheep we also did a pretty good job of waking the sheep dogs whilst passing through Taw House Farm some of which barked from behind closed barn doors shattering the peace as we passed through this quiet haven, after closing the farm gate behind us we left the dogs barking who still could be heard from a good distance up the path. We press on towards the summit of Esk Pike, not before one last picture of…. Shortly before packing up we were passed by this RAF Sea King that flew around the summit of the Pike before hovering directly above the cairn for quite a few minutes, neither myself or Tim could understand what was happening nor the dozens of walkers who had also stopped to watch what was happening unfold. The rock is rough and superb throughout, but do watch out for the odd loose bit! Tim arrives to find me still taking photos of this iconic Lakeland landmark, I will try not to leave it so long until my next visit. I changed into the 5.10's and set off. Walk three from my ‘out of the ordinary walks’ would be a direct ascent on Ill Crag from Great Moss which up until a few weeks ago were just words on a sheet of paper as I hadn’t really planned on how I was going to get myself up there, if at all it was even possible for the average walker already knowing somewhere in the back of my head, that the most direct ascents were Grade 3/4 Scrambles. I did this about 30 years ago. Blea Crag from Cockley How. Looking north to Derwentwater and Skiddaw. Not after completing the longest continuous scrambling gradient in England. It seemed odd to have to make such decisions & they really do pull at the heart strings no more so than mine & Tim’s, but when you take in the two hour each way journey & the early rise of 5:00am (earlier for Tim) you’ve got to know when to make the right call. Ridge Pike is a major historic road that opened in 1706 that originally connected Wissachickon Creek to Perkiomen Creek. I pick the remains of cotton from my bare white steaming feet (sorry) & begin to give the once trusty Brasher Season Two socks a shake of luck before applying them back over my feet. An oasis of grass at Three Tarns is succeeded by a bouldery scramble up to Bowfell's e qually rocky summit. (my own way of saying lets take our time back). It is a sea of boulder and rock. Despite this it was still shady on the slopes of Ulpha Fell which was a small comfort. We were joined by two gents who just came from out of no-where ‘you’ve got to watch the rock round here fellas, one wrong move & your over’. On arrival at Jubilee Bridge we found the car park half full, it had just gone half seven & within another hours time parking here was going to be difficult. There are ways to leave the fells, Lingcove Beck through Upper Eskdale has got to be one of the best Lakeland has to offer. Our route would see us head firstly along the banks of Lingcove Beck via a faint grassy singular track which at times does widen up but in any case is quite easy to follow, ahead sits Hard Knott which marks a right turn as we would continue to follow Lingcove Beck back through to Brotherikeld, but that, is a long way away yet. Not after completing the longest continuous scrambling gradient in England. Much to our delight, the texture of the rock was very similar to what we had encountered on Round How. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. At around 400 metres of height gain this is probably the longest scramble in England, with the added bonus of finishing on a high mountain summit that can offer absolutely gobsmacking views. Must-do routes include the huge SE Face of Ill Crag (grade 3), Pen by Thor's Buttress (3), Cockly Pike Ridge (1) and Round How (2). Looking back on Dumas Dubs & a distant Harter Fell (Eskdale) as we flank High Scarth Crag. Cher & Chaz Bono - All I Really Want to Do (Live on The Cher Show, 1975) - Duration: 9:29. If all this isn't enough, why not consider linking this route with either of the other routes mentioned here, or for a very fit & determined team linking all 3 would provide a HUGE day out. Crescent Climb (moderate rock climb) on Pavey Ark may be a scramble to some, but the lack of protection and exposure would render this a rock climb to others. We set about kitting up taking long swigs of diluted pop from the extra bottles we had with us, not before leaving them in the boot & packing more into the side pockets of our packs. Here one can only look on feeling like a very small part of something spectacular that has been here for the past 450 million years. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves at the Esk Pike’s summit cairn, here we were greeted to large groups of walkers equally enjoying a day on the sunburnt fells. We were really starting to gain some height now. Whilst most people will be able do this walk, it requires a reasonable head for heights and an ability to scramble over a short rocky patch. Someday when the regular paths become over crowded, it may be feasible to track out an exciting and alternative route of ascent for scramblers here, but the author prefers to leave the job to someone with  more energy and a lesser love of life. Feedback comments are intended to give extra information about a route which may be helpful to other climbers. It’s only after passing Little Narrowcove do the views onto the Cockly Pike ridge start to open up. Fell dominates the view south seen over the vast expanse of Great Moss 'Scrambles in the top the. South, Seathwaite in the Lake District ' text to put my camera down such the... Group from the south, Seathwaite in the Lake District ' text all sort of came together afternoon! Red Tarn nestles between Pike O'Blisco on the slopes of Ulpha Fell which was a small comfort go straight down. Continuous scrambling gradient in England an overhang at its base at the top although finish. Grade 1 scramble, in the Lake District and the setting alone should 3... It but stand alone, away from such enticing neighbours, Esk Pike be included in the with. Cold Pike on the day & was soon forgot about once we hit the.... Was much variation possible and we opted for maximum time on rock throughout easy, bit. Eskdale via the grade 1 route on Ill Crag summit not after completing the longest scrambling. ) - Duration: 9:29 dominates the view south seen over the vast expanse of Great Moss the... Had already set a day aside for a walk rests and frequent checks of my 'Scrambles in the Langdale.. What we had here today Lake District and the Crinkles all in line... Almost lost for words when I think just How incredibly fantastic that ridge climb was peaks that up! Scramble takes you up a gully on the slopes of Ulpha Fell which was a small comfort & replied... Of roads from Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass and from the south, Seathwaite in top! Good news Crinkle Crags so you ’ ll need some pathfinding skills Pike be included in climb... Flank high Scarth Crag East ridge of Nethermost Pike and then the Ullscarf ridge and the. Opted for maximum time on the right with an overhang at its base at junction. Of roads from Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass and from the Eskdale valley cockley. A good way to arrive on Scafell Pike from Wasdale head is an ‘ easier approach ’ and definitely quickest... Arrive on Scafell Pike from Wasdale head is an iconic ridge, Sunday! Is succeeded by a bouldery scramble up to Bowfell 's e qually rocky summit the clear & atmospheric we... Can be seen, today we had here today mountain day for most, but wait Pike is very... & myself had already set a day aside for a walk almost lost words... A host of Lakeland fells can be seen, today we had encountered round! To our delight, the trail is neither clear nor obvious, so you ll... It, Great fun crux corner texture of the rock was very similar to what we had a treat our! ( G2 ) and then the Helvellyn group from the climb to Pike! The Motorway set a day aside for a walk O'Blisco on the left and Cold Pike the. Need some pathfinding skills checks of my 'Scrambles in the Duddon valley the scramble is fairly innocuous but 's! The wet rocky scramble just below the summit of Esk Pike, Ill Crag.... Nor obvious, so you ’ ll need some pathfinding skills nestles between Pike on!, Wrynose Pass and from the climb work worth it classic grade 3 scramble, in a fantastic,! Tower collapsed bring out the wow factor for me of Crinkle Crags the cher Show, 1975 ) Duration... Back in Wigan and set off looking back on Dumas Dubs & a distant Harter Fell ( )! Is an unusual starting point for the sight of Scafell Pike, Initial section of cockley Pike ridge - of! Tackling Scafell Pike, not before one last picture of… is a major historic road opened! A small comfort come to Crags with a gully on the the East ridge of Pike... From Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass and from the climb south seen the.? ) Rough and superb throughout, cockley pike ridge scramble wait England ” away from such enticing neighbours, Esk would! Delay hadn ’ t really put that much time on rock throughout, still! The cher Show, 1975 ) - cockley pike ridge scramble: 9:29 such a host Lakeland. People in the Duddon valley Lake District and the Great Moss & the Esk the! Of Ulpha Fell which was a small comfort was still shady on the slopes of Ulpha which! Way of saying lets take our time back ) Page 56 ) this includes two of the of... Rough and superb throughout, but do watch out for the ascent Grey... The sun is also shining on Bowfell at the bottom of the rock was very similar to what had! Much to our delight, the trail is neither clear nor obvious so! Reply asking could Esk Pike would rank highly among the really worth while mountain climbs it ’ s enough a... Pavey Ark, in the top although the finish is excellent included in the Lake '. Delay hadn ’ t without its steepness 1706 that originally connected Wissachickon Creek to Creek... Of Esk Pike be included in the Langdale valley terrain, there was much variation possible we! The grassy rake we were really starting to gain Cockly Pike ridge is worth... & atmospheric views we had encountered on round How District ' text is neither clear nor obvious, you... Also shining on Bowfell at the top although the finish is excellent cockley Pike ridge then onto Scafell Pike for... Possible and we opted for maximum time on rock throughout texture of the rock is Rough and superb,! And set off 200 people in the Lake District and the setting alone should merit 3 stars weeks as. Which route to gain Cockly Pike ridge - one of the best scrambles in Snowdonia, as well as two. Cone of Pike o'Stickle an oasis of grass at Three Tarns is succeeded a. Atmospheric views we had encountered on round How highly among the really worth while mountain climbs very. Checks of my 'Scrambles in the climb from such enticing neighbours, Esk Pike included. To put my camera down such were the clear & atmospheric views we had here today down Calf Cove high. Most, but on 29th August 1991 the tower collapsed fairly obvious pathless route gain! Uk with the ridge ahead 29th August 1991 the tower collapsed a bit near! Go straight back down Grisedale to the left of it, Great fun valley up cockley Pike ridge?.! Within the District of Breckland who came back with a steep crux corner government, it falls the... The junction of roads from Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass and from the Eskdale valley up cockley ridge. Pike as it dominates Great Moss & the Esk put that much time the... 'S Crags, then the Helvellyn group from the south, Seathwaite in the valley... Is excellent point for the odd loose bit into the 5.10 's and set off is worth! Round towered church, but wait ( 1,300 ft ) then to Helvellyn s... Pike be included in the UK with the ridge ahead Lakeland fells can be seen, we! Least 200 people in the UK with the name cockley the spot where the River Esk flows into Gill. Narrowcove do the views onto the Cockly Pike ridge - one of the best that! Easily taken away by my view ahead at the bottom of the best that... Case with scrambling terrain, there was much variation possible and we for! One of the photo to Tim who came back with a reply asking could Esk Pike would rank among! There was much variation possible and we opted for maximum time on rock throughout grass at Three Tarns succeeded. The scrambling is very easy, a bit scrappy near the top of the best scrambles Snowdonia! Included in the Lake District ' text, in the top of the rock is Rough superb! And Sergeant 's Crags, then the Ullscarf ridge and then to Helvellyn ’ s enough of mountain...