3: The Central Fells (Page Three)

1. The EASTERN FELLS
2. The FAR EASTERN
FELLS
3. The CENTRAL FELLS
4. The SOUTHERN FELLS
5. The NORTHERN FELLS
6. The NORTH WESTERN
FELLS
7. The WESTERN FELLS

Wainwright's Central Fells

The Central Fells • 3

THE FELLS IN THIS AREA:

ARMBOTH FELL • BLEA RIGG • BLEABERRY FELL • CALF CRAG • EAGLE CRAG • GIBSON KNOTT • GRANGE FELL • GREAT CRAG • HARRISON STICKLE • HELM CRAG • HIGH RAISE • HIGH RIGG • HIGH SEAT • HIGH TOVE • LOFT CRAG • LOUGHRIGG FELL • PAVEY ARK • PIKE O'STICKLE • RAVEN CRAG • SERGEANT MAN • SERGEANT'S CRAG • SILVER HOW • STEEL FELL • TARN CRAG • THUNACAR KNOTT • ULLSCARF • WALLA CRAG

HIGH SEAT
Height: 1995', (608m)
Grid Ref: NY 287181

Most of the Central Fells north of Ullscarf have a reputation for being boggy, and as such they attract few visitors. The highest of these fells is High Seat. It's one of those hills in the 600m - 610m range whose stature was improved by metrication, as it is now on the 600 metre-plus list rather than just missing out on the 2000 feet-plus lists. However, this fact has probably made little difference to the amount of visitors it receives due to its location on the marshy ridge.

The summit is actually quite a pleasant spot, being dry and rocky. It is crossed by a wire fence, with the main cairn and trig pillar being on the western side. A small outcrop called Man rises to an almost equal height on the eastern side of the fence.

The summit of High Seat

HIGH TOVE
Height: 1689', (515m)
Grid Ref: NY 289165

LOFT CRAG
Height: 2238', (682m)
Grid Ref: NY 275071

Although the small summit of Loft Crag is usually recognised as one of the Langdale Pikes, it fails to get a namecheck on the 1:50,000 OS map. It isn't totally neglected, however, as its most notable feature, Gimmer Crag, is marked. This has long been one of the most popular crags in the district amongst rock climbers, many of whom will visit the summit. Loft Crag certainly gets fewer visitors to its summit than Harrison Stickle and Pike O'Stickle, being slightly off the track which links its neighbours. (It is often mistaken for Pike O'Stickle from the Dungeon Ghyll area).

About a third of a mile to the east is Thorn Crag (NY 280072), a small cairned top of 2106' (642m).

LOUGHRIGG FELL
Height: 1101', (35m)
Grid Ref: NY 347051

PAVEY ARK
Height: 2288', (697m)
Grid Ref: NY 285079

PIKE O'STICKLE
Height: 2324', (723m)
Grid Ref: NY 274075

When seen on the horizon from almost any direction, Pike O'Stickle is probably the easiest Lakeland peak to identify as it keeps it's distinctive sugar-loaf shape on all sides. The final approach involves a bit of a scramble from the north. South east of the summit cone, a scree filled gully which descends steeply into Mickleden is the site of a Stone Age axe factory, although on a recent visit I noticed a sign asking walkers not to descend into this gully due to erosion.

Pike O'Stickle

RAVEN CRAG
Height: 1512', (461m)
Grid reference: NY 303187

Though of modest height and a little awkward to reach, the summit of Raven Crag is well with visiting. Just below the summit to the east is a sheer drop. Though Wainwright only gives one route up the fell from the Thirlmere Dam, and no ridge routes, probably the best way to visit it is to tie it in with a walk from Keswick over Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell and High Seat. Though pathless, Raven Crag is reached quite easily from High Seat, and there are buses on the hour from Thirlspot back to Keswick if necessary. (For backpackers there is a campsite at GR 314193, and a few wild camp spots around the upper reaches of Shoulthwaite Gill). In Book Three there is a self-portrait of AW standing on the summit.

Thirlmere from Raven Crag

Next Page
Previous Page

Back to the Top