No trio this weekend as I was meant to be walking with Tim which unfortunately fell through at the last minute. We had planned to walk a similar route to this one, which I last walked over seven years ago; only todays walk will also include Loft Crag and Pike O'Stickle. It was only last weekend when I walked with David and Rod that I mentioned how much I missed pushing myself that bit further, and I thought today would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

It's also been some time since I Iast walked from Great Langdale and that needed putting to rest. It's fair to say that Great Langdale was a Lakeland hot spot before the lockdowns, and now that everything has returned to normal again, it's getting more difficult to park out of season than it is in season, which I feel is a huge shame because both Little Langdale and Great Langdale have so much to offer. I'm happy to move with the times, and I certainly don't want to become that guy who shys away from certain places like some folks I've spoken to on my travels, which is why I'm here walking this classic of walks.

Both MWIS and Weatherline had got the forecast totally wrong forecasting sunshine through to lunchtime. I arrived at Stickle Barn around 07:45am under grey skies which showed no promise of improvement. which meant a jostle between which camera to use, DSLR or mobile phone? After taking a few test shots using my DSLR and with thickening skies overhead I opted for my mobile phone. The car park was already half full mainly with camper vans down one side and cars down the other. I parked opposite the ticket machine finding the surrounding bays strewn with litter. After emptying eight pound coins into the machine I picked up the litter and placed it in a bin next to Stickle Barn.

It's quiet with just two other walkers setting up one of whom I'll meet on the fell later but for now I finish kitting up. I debated whether to add gaiters after all the forecasters had predicted a hard frost from dawn but it's clearly milder. I leave my gaiters in the hope it'll be frozen up top. Adding my beanie and fingerless mitts I leave the car park, pass through the gate and turn left spotting three walkers fifty yards up the path. The path is rocky and slow until a style is reached where the trio stop to remove layers, they had every right too, boy it felt mild. I passed the three with a 'morning' noting that they were ascending via Mark Gate, a direct ascent on Loft Crag. I'm also heading for Loft Crag but I prefer the Pike Howe ascent owing to the views into Dungeon Ghyll ravine.

Rounding Stickle Tarn came the crowds, most of whom were heading for the north gully while others sat on the dam wall eating lunch. Making sure I didn't make a hash of it, I crossed the tarn outflow watched on by many, then stood and took one last look at the impressive Pavey Ark. Tiny walkers crossed the ridge path as I had done earlier, which seems like a lifetime ago now. I began the rough descent directly from the tarn keeping to the right then crossing Stickle Ghyll at the familiar stepping stones.

I had been passed by many in ascent none of whom I would refer to as a fell walker but enjoying their time on the hill nonetheless.  After crossing the Ghyll I began my descent, finding rhythm and descending quickly, my knees feeling the brutality of the day as were my feet. I read the path like a book knowing where I was going to place my boots three to four steps ahead, until a large family stepped onto the path right in front of me bringing my descent to a stall. While the parents vaped small children ran a-mock towing dogs on leads at full length. I kept my calm and politely asked to pass, but it seemed like too much trouble, so I continued off the path. I'd completely lost my rhythm kicking the edges of stones now, but once through the trees, the path levelled out and there were fewer people.

I crossed the footbridge and took a look back up the steep sided Ghyll flanked by Pike Howe now directly above. Continuing the last hundred yards I felt the mildness of the afternoon hit me and I started to overheat. Looked on by the dozens leaving the car park which was bursting at the seams not helped by two full size coaches, funny though no matter how busy the car park looked I'd only seen about a dozen walkers during my time on the hill.