Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell & Esk Pike

The walk over Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and Esk Pike into Borrowdale on Thursday 23 June was probably the toughest walk on KR's programme this year. The total distance from the Old Dungeon Gill Hotel in Langdale to Seathwaite Farm was 14.5 kilometers or 9 miles including 1,155 metres of ascent. The group of 10 walkers and a dog, including leaders Pete and Lyn, left the ODG at about 10am and arrived at Seathwaite at 5.30pm. Here we all are outside the ODG ready for the off.

Crinkle Crags 860m or 2816ft loomed above us as we walked towards Stool End farm in Oxendale. It was overcast at first though the sun came out as we began our climb out of the valley towards the first of the five crinkles high above.

This view was taken by Judith our photographer from Great Knott above Oxendale, looking down Browney Gill back towards Pike of Blisco.

The first crinkle of Crinkle Crags comesinto sight as the contours ease off above Great Knott at about 700m.

Looking towards the second crinkle as we approach from the south; this is the summit of Crinkle Crags. There are two paths towards the summit in view, that on the right leads towards the formidable Bad Step which Wainwright refers to as..."the most difficult obstacle met on any of the regular walkers paths in Lakeland." No wonder some of the group opted to walk round it.

Three Tarns 720m. The 3 tarns nestle on the flat col between Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell, a good place for lunch. The weather had changed; it was cool, windy and there was rain in the air.

Looking from the jumbled mass of boulders on the summit of Bow Fell 903m or 2960ft, the highest point on our walk, t0wards the Ore Gap 112m below with Esk Pike 885m or 2903ft beyond. Great End can be seen in the distance behind Esk Pike lit by the sun that smiled on us for the rest of the afternoon, all the way to Seathwaite.

We took a few minutes break at the Ore Gap after descending from Bow Fell to peel off a layer or two of clothing and chat.

The descent into Borrowdale from Esk Hause; here we are above Sprinkling Tarn.

Crossing the bridge over Ruddy Gill just before it joins Allen Gill to become Grains Gill which we followed to Stockley Bridge and Seathwaite. It had been a long day but a most rewarding one.