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| "This is in fact the best fell-top of all - a place of great charm and fairyland attractiveness.... One can forget even a raging toothache on Haystacks." |
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A. Wainwright
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Although not the highest mountain in the Lake District Haystacks is one of the most popular, the guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright chose Innominate Tarn on the summit ridge as the place where his ashes would be scattered after his death. Not surprisingly many have and are following choosing this delightful fell as their final resting place. The summit ridge of Haystacks is a beautiful rambling summit with wonderful views over Buttermere, Crummock Water and Ennerdale as well as out to sea over the Solway Firth to Scotland. Haystacks is surrounded by some of the highest mountains in England including The Scafells, Pillar and Great Gable and has great views of this rugged land. |
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Haystacks was the favourite summit of Alfred Wainwright. He neglected to name the fell as a whole in his "best half-dozen" at the end of the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells because of inferior height. Wainwright's ashes were scattered by his wife Betty near the shores of Innominate Tarn. In Buttermere church there is a memorial to Wainwright, and one can look out of the window to Haystacks.
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Although not the longest or highest of walks this route is no less spectacular. Starting at Gatesgarth Farm we cross the fields to climb the good path to Scarth Gap, the pass between Buttermere and Ennerdale, from here we turn onto the ridge to climb to the rocky summit of Haystacks. A wonderful rocky mountain with great views of the higher Mountains on all sides. From the summit of Haystacks we will follow the ridge east around several of the lesser tops, taking time to find all the best views of the surrounding land and taking in some of the tarns along the ridge, including Innominate Tarn, the final resting place of Alfred Wainwright. Once we descend to Dubs Quarry we will take one of the paths that descends by Warnscale Beck back to Gatesgarth Farm. We often extend the route a little to take in the extra summit of Fleetwith Pike, descending over Fleetwith Edge to Gatesgarth, with some of the best views over Buttermere. Please ask if you would like to do this alternate route. Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above. |
