Sunday, 2 July 2000

Lonscale Fell

Lonscale Fell

A wintery Lonscale Fell

Lonscale Fell

Height715m (2,364ft)
Prominence50m (164ft)
RegionNorthern Fells
Climbed2 Times

Lonscale Fell serves as the dramatic eastern terminus of the great Skiddaw massif. While its western slopes link gently back into the parent range, its magnificent east face provides the fell's defining feature. Here, the plateau breaks away into a spectacular, mile-long vertical scarp of dark crags that plunge relentlessly into the deep, isolated trough of Glenderaterra Beck—a strikingly rugged profile that stands out uniquely within the typically smooth Skiddaw group.

"From the summit-ridge of Skiddaw the main watershed eastwards switchbacks over Little Man and Jenkin Hill to Lonscale Fell, this being the familiar outline so conspicuously in view on the southern approach to Keswick. Lonscale Fell, a graceful and gentle curve against the sky, ends very abruptly in a sharp peak whence the ground falls away sharply to the deep narrow valley of Glenderaterra Beck." — Wainwright 1962, Book Five

The true geographic summit lies on a smooth, sweeping grassy dome on the western side of the fell's high plateau, marked simply by a quiet pile of stones. Interestingly, the highly conspicuous, sharp peak that dominates the skyline when looking up from the Keswick valley floor actually sits a short distance to the east at a slightly lower elevation. Frequently referred to by walkers as Lonscale Pike, this dramatic subordinate top acts as the sentinel of the ridge.

The stone pile on the summit

The stone pile marking the summit of Lonscale Fell

Venturing out to the edge of Lonscale Pike rewards scramblers and walkers with sensational views. Standing on the lip of the eastern drop-off reveals an incredible perspective straight down into the Glenderaterra pass, with the massive, multi-felled bastion of Blencathra rising like a fortress directly across the void. Looking further south, the vista expands beautifully to encompass the long ribbon of Thirlmere and the full, jagged silhouette of the Helvellyn range cutting across the horizon.

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