Re: Which site for a cumbrian virgin. ? | Forum

megadread Jul 15, 2009 18:35:39

Replying to juamei

juamei wrote:

I parked in a carpark near or in boot when I went up to see White Moss & Brat's Hill. It's nice up there, I could imagine it without the peat as a lovely safe enclosed valley.

Personally though, I'd favour the Pike of Stickle stone axe factory, as others have said. And I say that having seen 80% of the circles in the lakes district.
The view from the top is amazing and you get to see where the folk that built the circles actually started off those wonderful green lakes axes. Thats all wow to me!

Is it ok to take a young un up there, safety wise i mean. ?

juamei Jul 15, 2009 19:45:58

Replying to megadread

I am not a regular mountain walker so others would probably be best placed to answer. How old is young? I'd say a fit young teen could make it up here, its footpaths all the way up.

The Eternal Jul 16, 2009 20:42:22

Replying to megadread

megadread wrote:

Is it ok to take a young un up there, safety wise i mean. ?

As far as going to the top of the axe factory, i.e. the scree, which is the debris from the quarrying, it is mountain tracks all the way, and straightforward enough. The view from the top of Pike of Stickle is incredible, if you're lucky with the weather. Tomorrow is forecasting winds up to 70mph and rain.

To descend by the side and on the scree to the man-made cave is extremely steep and loose, and requires great care. Apart from the obvious hazard of cartwheeling down the scree for hundreds of feet, there is also that of sending rocks down onto anyone below you.

Whether you risk the descent would depend on age and ability, as well as your own experience. Without knowing this I can only state the conditions and let you decide.

Don't forget that the top of Pike of Stickle stands at 2,323 feet above sea level, and the weather can change in minutes, and can be very cold, even in summer. A good Lake District mountain forecast website is:-
http://www.mwis.org.uk/mountain/LD.PDF

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy yourself, and take care,

TE.