Since
completing the Wainwrights and with my focus turning to the Nuttalls, a visit
to Bowfell was needed to tick the mountain’s North Top. Although that was the day’s target, I had
also wanted to walk along the Climber’s Traverse and have a close look at the
Great Slab.
The
Old Dungeon Ghyll was the meeting point and six of us set off in the rain,
taking aim for the cloudbase which we met long before we reached the summit. The path leading to the traverse was indistinct
at first and not obvious as it split from the main route, not far beyond the
minor summit of White Stones. As we
ascended the way forward became more obvious and much narrower, occasionally
having to use our hands to negotiate a number of small rock steps. The low cloud had persisted with the cliffs
rearing above us to the left and the drops to our right being masked by the gloom.
At
the bottom of the Great Slab we sheltered for lunch and then walked up
alongside it before taking a direct line to Bowfell’s summit. I would have liked to walk over to its edge
but the low visibility wasn’t encouraging an exploration of the edge of this
impressive rock feature; perhaps I’ll just have to come back again.
The
group followed the path towards Ore Gap but I kept on the higher ground over
the Centre Top – which is at the top of Bowfell Buttress – and carried on to
the North Top. In clearer conditions
this elevated stroll would make a quieter and more worthwhile alternative to
the main path.
At
Ore Gap the cloud had lifted and looking back we could see the summit of
Bowfell. Ahead of us, the Gables
breached the edge of Esk Pike and the view to the north was clear to Skiddaw
and Blencathra. We decided to head for
Esk Pike and upon reaching the summit the Scafell massif dominated the landscape
to the east. Identifying numerous
summits without referring to the map gave us a challenge and when we satisfied
our curiosity, we walked off towards Esk Hause.
 |
| Great End and the Gables |
 |
| Great Gable and Green Gable |
The
end of the walk was straightforward, walking over Tongue Head to the outflow of
Angle Tarn before testing our knees on the descent of Rossett Gill. Thankfully, the good path along Mickleden
took us directly to some welcome beer at the ODG!
 |
| towards the Langdale Pikes |
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| the Great Slab from below |
