Esk Hause
Esk Hause is a mountain pass in Cumberland. It is in the midst of the Lake District, where paths from Eskdale, Borrowdale, Langdale and Wasdale all meet.
Esk Hause is a first step to reaching higher summits, such as Scafell Pike, Great End, Esk Pike and Allen Crags, which are all nearby.
The Hause can be a confusing place for walkers: two paths cross at right angles on a tilted grass plateau, but not at the summit of the plateau and choosing the right path, especially when it is under low cloud, leads many astray. The popular Great Langdale-Wasdale path crosses at the height of 2,386 feet at the wall shelter; this is the lower of the two passes known as Esk Hause, but the true pass is 100 feet higher and 300 yards distant, a less-used pass between Eskdale and Borrowdale that occupies the depression between Great End (2,984 feet) and Esk Pike (2,903 feet).
The higher path of Esk Hause is the highest pass in the Lake District: 70 feet higher than Sticks Pass which crosses the Helvellyn Range near Stybarrow Dodd. The latter, Sticks Pass, is commonly named as Lakeland's highest pass as the common way through the Esk Hause is indeed a little lower.
The source of the River Esk is close to Esk Hause.
Outside links
- Location map: 54°27’45"N, 3°11’7"W