Gavel Pike

Distance:
Ascent:
Weather: blue sky, sunshine, cold, bitter wind
Seen: icicles, snow, spectacular views

From Glenridding, we walked through the village and along to Deepdale. The valley feels remote, surrounded by steep sides and snowy tops. At the end of the valley, we went up to Sleet Cove and then up to Deepdale Hause. It looked as though it would be easier heading up to the left side, but as we got nearer to the head of the valley the way straight up didn't seem as bad as we'd thought. We stopped part way up to put our spikes on our boots, which helped a lot on the steeper bits and snowy patches. It was still a relief to get to the top!

We headed over the top of St Sunday Crag and the down through the icy snow to Gavel Pike. We were followed by a couple who didn't have any spikes or crampons, heading down over the steep icy snow, they'd fallen over a couple of times near the top and it was rather nerve-wracking watching them, but they made it down ok. Crossing the snowier patches was interesting, and it was very cold and windy. We stopped for a brief lunch stop, and stopped for a longer time for tea and biscuits when we were down a bit out of the wind, back in the sunshine.

The path was clear and easy back down to the valley, where we were overtaken by a couple who appear to just jump off a crag and then bounce down the path into the distance. We were in no rush...

Back to the hotel, for beer and crisps.