Sunday, 2 July 2000

Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor)

Stony Cove Pike from Thornthwaite Crag

Stony Cove Pike from Thornthwaite Crag

Stony Cove Pike

Height763m (2,503ft)
Prominence171m (561ft)
RegionFar Eastern Fells
Climbed2 Times

Stony Cove Pike stands as a commanding mass in the Far Eastern Fells, situated directly across the Kirkstone Pass from Red Screes. Frequently referred to as Caudale Moor or John Bell's Banner due to its collection of closely height-matched high points, the mountain is wide and sprawling, sending out six independent ridges from its high summit plateau.

"Caudale Moor deserves far more respect than it usually gets. The long featureless slope flanking the Kirkstone Pass is not at all characteristic of the fell: its other aspects are considerably more imposing." — A. Wainwright

The upper plateau is predominantly grassy, dotted with a handful of small mountain tarns nestled between its twin high tops. Old stone boundary walls trace along the ridgelines leading down toward Hartsop Dodd, St Raven's Edge, and the steep drop of Threshthwaite Mouth, providing invaluable navigational aids across a complex and easily disorienting ridge network.

The summit marked as Stony Cove Pike

The summit (actually marked as Stony Cove Pike)

Because the top of the plateau is exceptionally wide and flat, panoramic views from the central cairn can feel somewhat restricted by the surrounding ground. However, moving outward toward the steep edges easily reveals a brilliant circle of vistas that encompasses all the major fell groups across the Lakeland horizon.

No comments :

Post a Comment