Fleetwith Pike

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Fleetwith Pike
Cumberland
BUTTERMERE AND FLEETWITH PIKE (4).JPG
Fleetwith Pike seen from the end of Buttermere
Range: Lake District Western Fells
Summit: 2,126 feet NY205141
54°30’57"N, 3°13’46"W

Fleetwith Pike is a fell in Cumberland, within the Western Fells of the Lake District. It stands at 2,126 feet at its summit. Fleetwith Pike is a well-known feature of the area as it casts an imposing presence over Buttermere and the Honister Pass on the B5289 road between Borrowdale and Buttermere.

Landscape

Fleetwith Pike is the north-western shoulder of Grey Knotts. It is bounded by Honister Pass to the north and Warnscale Bottom to the south west, their two streams uniting beneath the fell in Buttermere. The north-west ridge rising almost from the lakeshore at Gatesgarth is named Fleetwith Edge, and is a striking feature from any direction. Fleetwith Pike's main summit is directly at the top of the edge.

Honister Crag (NY212142) is a subsidiary top at 2,066 feet above sea level, and which has been accorded 'Nuttall' status in its own right. It stands to the east of the main summit. The crag was upgraded to become a Nuttall fell in November 2004; the first addition to the list since they were first published in 1990, it has 20 metres (67 feet) of topographical prominence from Fleetwith Pike.

Fleetwith Pike is lined on all sides by impressive crags, other than for the broad plateau leading across the Drum House to Grey Knotts.

Slate extraction

The side of the fell which overlooks Honister Pass is actually known as Honister Crag and this has been commercially quarried for its high-quality green slate since the 1750s. Slate mining and quarrying at Honister did cease in 1986, but restarted in February 1997.

Ascents

The fell itself is often climbed in conjunction with other neighbouring fells such as Haystacks and Grey Knotts; strong walkers may also take in the peaks of Great Gable and Green Gable. There are two possible starting points for the ascent of Fleetwith Pike: these are Gatesgarth in the Buttermere valley and the top of the Honister pass. Both places have car parks. The start from Honister Hause has the advantage of starting from a height of 1,167 feet and takes the walker through the quarry workings of the Honister Slate Mine and over Black Star, the highest point of Honister Crag. After crossing Honister Crag it is a simple walk to attain the top of Fleetwith Pike. The ascent from Gatesgarth goes up the intimidating-looking Fleetwith Edge; however, all the crags can be by-passed without too much difficulty. This route goes past a white cross which is clearly visible from the valley and bears the inscription "Erected by Friends of Fanny Mercer, accidentally killed 1887".

Summit

The summit cairn is a few yards in from the top of the Edge, resting among pleasant grass and heather. The view from the summit gives a fine prospect of the Buttermere valley which also takes in the other two lakes of Crummock Water and Loweswater. The fells of Pillar and Great Gable are close by and are well seen.

Pictures

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about Fleetwith Pike)

References