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OS Grid ref: NY 31778 18954
Lat/Long: 54.561088, -03.055122
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The air pressure continued high and yesterday turned out to be
the highest Aug pressure recorded. It didn’t make for good
walking weather and I had an overcast drive to Legburthwaite
near Thirlmere, Cumbria. The mountain tops were in cloud as I
set off up past Stanah and on to the Sticks Pass trail. This is
were I descended last week and a very steep and uncomfortable
descent it was.
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Climbing up wasn’t a problem as there was less chance of
slipping. In front of me was a mountain biker wheeling his bike
up between the steep ferns. As I walked past I told him I
admired his dedication to his sport. According to the maps the
only path in the area is the path I’m on but Wainwright’s book
mentions a route up Stanah Gill. As I walked up by by the fence
I kept an eye out for any sign of a way but couldn’t see one.
Wainwright mentioned a waterfall, which I could see up ahead.
Maybe I’ll check it out on a future trip. |
Looking up Stanah Gill. |
I continued up to the stone sheepfold where the wind got up and
I was soon in damp mist with no view. It felt quite cold so
replaced my top jacket.The ground wasn’t too steep but as I
continued the pain became more intense. I know I wouldn’t be
able to continue upwards.
Higher up I began to look for a
safe descent route down Sticks Gill. I was still in cloud and
knew I was above the gill so began to descend the wet grass down
to the running gill at the bottom. I found some shelter from the
wind and decided to stop for a while and have my lunch
sandwiches. I started my descent down Sticks Gill which ( needed
to cross a few times to find the best route but it wasn’t too
bad. Eventually I dropped below the cloud level and could see
Thirlmere below. |
Thirlmere. |
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Below Sticks Gill the river runs into Fisherplace Gill and above
the south side was a nice footpath. Just before reaching a fence
and gate I could see what looked like a dam and intake in the
river. The path became steeper as I descended then reached the
side of a tall and impressive waterfall. I continued steeply
down through tall ferns then reached the main north south path
back to Stanah. It was rather stony but mostly level. I reached
the Sticks Gill path where I’d climbed earlier in the day and
descended back down to my car. |
Waterfall on Fisherplace Gill. |
View towards Skiddaw. |
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