A choice of cracking ridge scrambles on a classic Lakeland peak.
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Harrison Stickle Ridges, Lake
District
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Overview Harrison Stickle - below - is one of the Lake District's
most distinctive mountains, dominating Langdale as the highest summit
of the iconic Langdale Pikes with a pleasing spiky allure.
The east side of the mountain, towering above the two
conveniently-located Dungeon Ghyll hotels, sports a choice of routes
on classic ridges with something for all grades.
The South East ridge described first is a classic grade one, while
the East Ridge was formerly graded 3S but is now a straight '3'.
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Harrison Stickle South East
Ridge
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Grade: 1
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Harrison Stickle is one of the Lake
District's most distinctive mountains, dominating Langdale
as the highest summit of the iconic langdale Pikes. The East
side, towering above the two Dungeon Ghyll hotels sports a
choice of routes on classic ridges with something for all
grades.
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Equipment: Rope, slings not
necessary.
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Online Map link
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Views: 3
Technicality: 1
Exposure: 1
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GIBBER FACTOR* 2
*out of
five.
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Approach For a complete scrambling ascent you can approach
via the lower then upper Dungeon Ghyll ravines, graded 1 and 3
respectively.
Alternatively take the tourist track from the New Dungeon Ghyll up
Stickle (or Mill) Ghyll to Stickle Tarn then bear left to a short
but obvious ridge above Dungeon Ghyll.
Route The start can be indentified by a prominent large
boulder at the base of the ridge, half way up the hillside.
Start from behind the boulder on an initially steep but
technically easy face moving left away from the vegetation as you
gain height.
Continue left on reaching easier angled slabs which are easily
identified by a covering of spherical nodules which provide good
grip.
As you regain the edge the route develops into a series of steps
and short walls along the crest, avoiding the grass to either side
for the ascent to the final summit approach.
As you reach the last large block take the groove on the right
hand side to emerge on the summit of Harrison Stickle and superb
views of Langdale far below - picture above.
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Harrison Stickle, East
Ridge
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Grade: 3 (was 3S in the old grading)
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Harrison Stickle is one of the Lake
District's most distinctive mountains, dominating Langdale
as the highest summit of the iconic langdale Pikes. The East
side, towering above the two Dungeon Ghyll hotels sports a
choice of routes on classic ridges with something for all
grades.
|
|
Equipment: Rope, slings
optional.
|
|
Online Map link
|
|
Views: 4
Technicality: 2
Exposure: 2
|
|
GIBBER FACTOR* 2
*out of
five.
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Approach The easiest approach is from behind the New Dungeon
Ghyll Hotel up Stickle (or Mill) Ghyll on the well marked path
alongside the stream. On reaching Stickle Tarn turn left and head
directly West to the base of the obvious ridge.
Route This is a zig-zagging route that winds its way up the
left hand side of the view from Stickle Tarn. The start is grassy and
less than inviting, but a short walk left around the nose leads to a
large terrace which angles back right onto bare rock.
Gain the main ridge on an easy slope and continue to a diagonal
groove leading to a grass-covered ledge below a steep crag.
Stunning scenery - pic by Steve Walton, more of his
photography
in his OM
album
A series of ledges traverses right along the base of the steep
section before intersecting an obvious zig-zagging rake.
Follow this rake up to the ridge crest where a series of steps on
the same nodule -covered rock as on the South East ridge leads to
another steep wall. As you approach the wall move diagonally left
with one interesting step where the floor falls away.
A good groove, polished by the passage of boots, on the right
eases you up the final slopes for the easy finish - or take the final
summit block directly for a stiffer, grade 3 finish, to emerge by the
summit cairn.
Descent From the summit of Harrison Stickle you get a
multitude of choices for the descent. Either turn North East to take
in Pavey Ark and a descent alongside Bright Beck, or South West to
drop down between Loft Crag and Pike Of Stickle for the short options
or continue west beyond Pike of Stickle to Stake Pass and the descent
into Mickleden.
Caution Scrambling is
potentially dangerous and, particularly at the higher grades,
requires technical skills and equipment to minimise the risk. We
suggest that you take professional instruction or climb with an
experienced partner.
