Pike O' Stickle scree run

Have any of you OM-ers ascended or descended Pike O' Stickle by way of the fan of scree which cascades from the south side of the summit down into Mickleden?

Wainwright describes it as a 'desperate climb' but I suspect he is over-egging the pudding (he famously disliked scree runs). He goes on to write: 'In a buttoned-up plastic mac, the ascent is purgatory.'

I never wear a plastic mac - buttoned-up or open - and that scree fan looks like an invitingly swift way down to the valley from the Langdale Pikes. As an ascent it looks less attractive than Troughton Beck half-a-mile to the north but still very do-able.

Anyone been up or down it? If so, do tell ...

Hi Skip,

Can't say that I've been up or down that scree slope, but I do recall it looking bleedin' steep when I was there last summer. I think you'd end up sliding down on your bum!

I'd kindly ask you not to do it.

Whilst the scree isn't yet protected by law imo it should be as there are still undoubtedly archaeological remains up there that could be damaged.

I do believe wheels are in motion to schedule the site.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Have to say I really wouldn't fancy it anyway having seen it from below. Aaron Slack ( from Windy Gap) is bad enough IMO.

That's interesting re the archaeological remains Twiglegs. Is there any more info available?

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Not many do unfortunately but with any luck that will be put right soon, it's already an offence to remove any of the green stone from the site.

Whilst i respect others freedom, and not being one to preach, to those of us with an interest in this sort of thing climbing/descending the scree is akin to climbing on the Stonehenge stones.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

That's facinating- thanks for the link Twiglegs.

I do agree with you. Mind you, when I was a child Stonehenge was still fully accessible (it was before the stones were roped off) and we not infrequently went there for picnics. I have photos of us kids climbing on the stones. It's just not the same having to gaze at them from a distance.

Sam Harney wrote (see)

It's just not the same having to gaze at them from a distance.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Yes, Avebury is wonderful isn't it? I haven't been for a while though I was at Waylens Smithy a few weeks ago (I know people will scorn but I've never been there without thinking the place has a distinctly sinister atmosphere).

In the Lakes, Moor Devoke is one of my favorite places. I love the Cockpit.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Wow- I honestly don't think I would have the nerve! It always makes me think of the Barrow-wights bit in Lord of the Rings.

I do love the Ridgeway though- one day I really will walk the whole of it. Having grown up on the chalk downs I do feel at home in chalk country.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Sam Harney wrote (see)

Wow- I honestly don't think I would have the nerve! It always makes me think of the Barrow-wights bit in Lord of the Rings.

I do love the Ridgeway though- one day I really will walk the whole of it. Having grown up on the chalk downs I do feel at home in chalk country.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

Martin Carpenter wrote (see)

Isn't the difference that the scree simply does become hugely less fun to use once it gets notably eroded? Much looser etc.

I went down this cree run in 1975 when I was 12 and it was really exciting! Went back 10 years ago and stood at the top wondering how on earth I ever did it! I was petrified just looking down the top of the gulley!

My first 'proper' fellwalk was when a teacher took me and a few other kids over the Langdale Pikes. It was Easter 1974, and we ran down that scree much faster than we would ever have been able to run on a road. The size of the stones was perfect, so that you literally 'went with the flow', but you had to put the brakes on before the stones ran out. Easiest way to do that was to fall back on your bum. Caused absolute ruin to a pair of boots though!

After a few more 'runs' in the 1970s, I learned more about the archaeology of the scree, and realised how much damage me, my pals, and everyone else had done. I've never been down it since, and never will again. Leave it well alone!