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High Spy

High Spy



Grid Reference: NY 23413 16234
Height: 653 metres/2142 feet

"Interest is sustained by the succession of cliffs and aretes falling away abruptly from the crest to the desolate upper Newlands Valley."
A Wainwright

The north eastern ridge of Dale Head, after the depression at Dalehead Tarn the ridge rises to the long ridge of High Spy, descending slightly to the broad Maiden Moor before dropping down to the famous Catbells where the ridge terminates.

Steep crags flank the western edge of the ridge, dropping down to the Upper Newlands Valley, several crags here offer good climbing, Miners Crag and Eel Crag offer many good hard routes.

To the east the slope descends gently before dropping steeply down to the Borrowdale Valley over crags like Blea Crag, High Steel Knott and Goat Crag. Goat Crag is one of the most famous crags in the Lake District, during the 1960's and 70's several new routes were climbed on the crag pushing climbing standards to their limits, Praying Mantis first climbed by Les Brown in 1965 was the first climb on the north buttress. In 1975 when Peter Livesey first climbed Footless Crow on The Great Buttress it was seen as a magnificent breakthrough.

  1. On the summit of High Spy

    Honister to Keswick

    £25.00

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 14km / 8.5 miles
    Ascent: 750m / 2500ft
    Duration: 6 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 10:1

    Good paths and great views over Borrowdale, the Newlands Valley and Derwentwater, a great linear walk

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  2. Looking down the Newlands Valley from Dale Head

    The Newlands Horseshoe

    £25.00

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 18km / 12 miles
    Ascent: 1190m / 3900ft
    Duration: 7 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 10:1

    A long but wonderful day on one of the classic horseshoe walks of the Lake District

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  3. On the summit of High Spy

    Dale Head Sunset Walk

    £30.00

    Difficulty:
    Exposure:
    Distance: 5km / 3 miles
    Ascent: 450m / 1480ft
    Duration: 3 hours
    Maximum Group Ratio: 10:1

    The summit of Dale Head, a short walk but a glorious place to watch the sun set over the north western Lakeland fells

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