Harrison Stickle from Thorn Crag

A day on the Langdale Pikes - Photo 5

Viewed from the north-facing flank of Thorn Crag and across the upper ravine of Dungeon Ghyll, Harrison Stickle - the highest of the Langdale Pikes at 2403 ft - is an impressive sight.

The path ascending from Pike How is visible just above the far side of the ravine. I always feel rather twitchy on a couple of sections of this path, notably where the path temporarily splits into two and the unprotected chasm of Dungeon Ghyll is close at hand. The least exposed branch is the upper one. The point of bifurcation is easily seen when descending (heading to the right), but is not obvious when ascending (heading to the left). The splitting point is marked by a small scree-filled gully; the lower branch of the path seemingly the obvious path straight across the gully. But this soon becomes just a bit scary. The thing to do is to ascend the scree gully for just a few steps and the upper branch of the path quickly comes into view.