Buttermere, Crummock Water and beyond

Two more Wainwright’s today, Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks taking the direct route up Fleetwith Edge to the summit from Gatesgarth car park.

A demanding ascent which was only a mile but 2,000 feet or so of altitude gain. Views all around were spectacular. We have been so fortunate with the weather. It’s been so dry it’s now becoming a serious concern.

Nobody else came up the edge, we saw these two on the way down and one chap on the summit. It only started to get busy as we approached the legendary Innominate Tarn which was true to Wainwright’s view as the best! Hopefully, we didn’t pick up a bit of grit in our boots!

We stopped for lunch alongside the Innominate Tarn with quite a few others before making short ascent of Haystacks itself. From there it was the long descent to the Scarth Gap path and down to Gatesgarth. It was hot down in the valley.

Such exertions demanded a pint so our thirsts were quenched at the Buttermere Court Hotel where we had to pay £3.50 to park even though we were only there a short time for a drink. Next time we’ll go up to the NT carpark and walk back or go to the Kirkstile Inn