Harrison Stickle
| Harrison Stickle | |||
| Westmorland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
.JPG) Harrison Stickle from Loft Crag | |||
| Range: | Lake District Central Fells | ||
| Summit: | 2,415 feet NY281074 54°27’25"N, 3°6’38"W | ||
Harrison Stickle is a fell in the central part of the Lake District, within Westmorland and situated above Great Langdale. The fell is the highest, at 2,415 feet, of the three (although the number is debated) fells which make up the picturesque Langdale Pikes, the others being Pike of Stickle and Loft Crag. Together they make up one of the most picturesque, and probably the best known, mountain groups in the District. A "stickle" is a hill with a prominent rocky top.
The lie of the land
The Langdale Pikes form a raised rocky parapet around the southern and eastern edges of a high tableland centred upon Thunacar Knott. Harrison Stickle is the high point of this system and its crags fall south and east from the summit, presenting an arresting view from the valley floor 2,000 ft below, or from further afield.
To the north, the main ridge of the central fells passes over Thunacar Knott before climbing to High Raise. The craggy eastern face of this ridge continues north as far as Harrison's near neighbour, Pavey Ark, visually the most impressive face in the area. The south western border of Harrison Stickle is formed by the deep ravine of Dungeon Ghyll, which cuts through the parapet of the Langdale Pikes and into the lower hinterland of Harrison Combe. Across the Ghyll westwards are Thorn Crag, Loft Crag and finally Pike of Stickle.
Below the steep eastern face of Harrison Stickle lie Stickle Tarn and its ghyll, thus ensuring that all drainage from the fell is to Great Langdale. The tarn is a water-filled corrie about 50 feet deep, this being enhanced by a dam. The water is used for public consumption in Great Langdale.[1]
Geology
Harrison Stickle's summit area is composed of the pebbly sandstone and breccia of the Pavey Ark Member.[2] There is no history of mining.
Summit
The summit is a short rocky ridge with a cairn at each end, the northern one being higher. The view from Harrison Stickle is as good as the view of it — a surprisingly rare occurrence — with all of the major fell groups visible.[3][4]
Ascents
The fell is usually climbed from New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Great Langdale, and there are a number of possible routes up. The simplest first follows Stickle Beck to Stickle Tarn; a path then leads up the western side of Pavey Ark to reach the summit. The fell is almost invariably combined with other nearby peaks to make a longer circular walk.[3][4]
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Harrison Stickle) |
References
- ↑ Blair, Don: Exploring Lakeland Tarns: Lakeland Manor Press (2003): ISBN 0-9543904-1-5
- ↑ British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, England & Wales Sheet 38: BGS (1999)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wainwright, A (1958). A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 3 The Central Fells. Westmorland Gazette.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Mark Richards: The Central Fells: Collins (2003): ISBN 0-00-711365-X