Lingmoor Fell & Side Pike â€" (From roadside pull-in near Side Gates).

Tuesday 22nd June was forecast to be a fine day, with lengthy sunny periods during the morning, but with increasing cloud in the afternoon. I decided on a trip to the Lake District, to find a particular viewpoint on Lingmoor fell which overlooks the valley of Mickleden in Great Langdale.

Starting from a roadside pull-in near Side Gates, (on the “Blea Tarn” road between Great Langdale and Little Langdale), I walked towards the Bield Crag area of Lingmoor Fell, and from there began the steep part of the ascent.

After looking at various remnants of disused slate quarries on Lingmoor Fell, I eventually found the spot I was looking for, (just above Birk Knott), but unfortunately the vista was under very overcast skies at the time, so didn’t present a good opportunity for worth-while photographs. – At least I now know where the spot is, so can make a return visit at some future point.

I continued up to Brown How, (the summit of Lingmoor Fell), and then walked along the ridge, eventually following the dry stone wall down towards Side Pike. Squeezing through the rock crevice aptly named “Fat Man’s Agony”, I continued onwards to Side Pike summit, before dropping down to the cattle grid and onwards towards Blea Tarn via the path that skirts Rakerigg.

Stopped for lunch at Blea Tarn hoping for a few good photos, but there was too much “blanket” cloud about so I made my way back to the car.

GPX Track of the route walked: -

Walk Elevation Profile: -

Looking across Little Langdale Tarn from the flanks of Lingmoor Fell. – With Great Intake and Wetherlam on the Horizon beyond: -

High Bield from Bield Crag area, with Little Langdale Tarn beyond, and Wetherlam dominating on the horizon: -

Remains of one of several disused slate quarries on Lingmoor Fell: -

Another of the disused slate quarries on Lingmoor Fell. – Increasing cloud coming in, taking the edge off the views!

Lots of English Stonecrop – (Sedum anglicum ) to be found amongst the mossy nooks and crannies of the old slate quarries: -

The view from “the viewpoint” I’d been looking for. – ( Unfortunately the vista was decidedly overcast at the time, and the cloud stayed around too long! ).

A closer view of the Langdale Pikes from “the viewpoint”: -

Blea Tarn with Pike O’Blisco, Crinkle Crags, & Bow Fell on the skyline. – (Taken from “the viewpoint”): -

Approaching Brown How, (the summit of Lingmoor Fell): -

The Langdale Pikes from Lingmoor Fell summit: -

The approach to Side Pike, with the Langdale Pikes over to the right: -

Side Pike & Langdale Pikes: -

Approaching “Fat Man’s Agony” on Side Pike. – (A sheer drop means the only way to get past is to squeeze through the cleft): -

A closer views of “Fat Man’s Agony”: -

“Fat Man’s Agony” from the other side. – (The sheer drop isn’t obvious from here, but a walker fell off and was severely injured in 2019): -

The Langdale Pikes, as seen from the summit of Side Pike: -

The Langdale Pikes, seen across Blea Tarn: -

Common Sundew – (Drosera rotundifolia). – Lots of these plants to be found in the boggy areas around the shore of Blea Tarn: -

Regards,
Mike.

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