High Rigg
| High Rigg | |||
| Cumberland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Range: | Lake District Central Fells | ||
| Summit: | 1,171 feet NY308220 54°35’18"N, 3°4’20"W | ||
High Rigg is a small fell in Cumberland, within the Lake District and approximately three miles southeast of the town of Keswick. It occupies an unusual position, surrounded on all sides by higher fells but not connected by any obvious ridge. This separation from its fellows ensures that in spite of its modest elevation, it is listed as a 'Marilyn' (a hill with topographic prominence of at least 150 m).
Name
The word Rigg is from the northern dialect of the Old English language, and means a ridge, or a bumpy fell.
Landscape
High Rigg is strictly the continuation of the ridge running up the western shore of Thirlmere, the high point of which ridge is Raven Crag. This forms the watershed between the Shoulthwaite and Thirlmere / Vale of St John systems. The depression between High Rigg and Raven Crag to the south, at only around 550 feet, is at Smaithwaite, just south of the A591 Keswick to Ambleside road.
High Rigg resembles a model of the Lakeland Fells in miniature, complete with crags, intermediate tops, tarns and even a 'pass' crossing the ridge halfway along, complete with church. The northern and southern aspects of the fell are largely grassed and gently rolling, in contrast to the western and eastern flanks which are steep with numerous rocky outcroppings and cliffs.
Travelling south to north the main features are Wren Crag (1,020 feet), overlooking the Vale of St John, Yew Crag (1,000 feet) facing west and then two tops at 1,125 feet and 1,171 feet respectively. The ridge then falls to the 'pass' and St John's church, before rising again to Low Rigg (836 feet). Finally comes Tewet Tarn as the ridge falls away to the River Greta.
Tewet Tarn, otherwise known as Tewfit Tarn, this shallow pool stands on a shelf, overlooked by higher rocks.[1][2]
Geology
The geology of the ridge is complex with much small scale faulting. Gravel and scree overlay much of the fell which lies between two branches of the Coniston Fault, with the plagioclase-phyric andesite lavas of the Birker Fell Formation beneath. Low Rigg exhibits intrusions of microgranite to the surface.[3]
Summit
The summit has a cairn set on an outcrop and commands a fine view of the surrounding fells. The giants of Skiddaw and Blencathra dominate the view to the north, and Clough Head and the Helvellyn Range the view east. Thirlmere is visible to the south and Bleaberry Fell to the west, over which the Scafell group can be seen on a clear day.[4][5]
Ascents
The hill may be climbed in a short twenty-minute walk from the Church of St John's in the Vale. It only involves about 400 feet of climb, which is one of the shortest ascents in the Lakes. Alternatively, a traverse of the fell's three mile long ridge may be made, starting at Tewit Tarn and finishing near Shoulthwaite.[4][5]
References
- ↑ Don Blair: Exploring Lakeland Tarns: Lakeland Manor Press (2003): ISBN 0-9543904-1-5
- ↑ Birkett, Bill: Complete Lakeland Fells: Collins Willow (1994): ISBN 0-00-218406-0
- ↑ British Geological Survey: 1:50,000 series maps, England & Wales Sheet 29: BGS (1999)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wainwright, Alfred: A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book Three — The Central Fells (1958)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mark Richards: The Central Fells: Collins (2003): ISBN 0-00-711365-X