The Saddle path to Red Pike follows a colourful eroded scree.

The colour here is caused by the presence of Iron deposits within the geology. It is from this that Red Pike gains it's name.

The summit of Red Pike is the first Wainwright of the day. The reward is a stunning view along the High Stile ridge yet to come.

To the left of the ridge is Buttermere and to the right is our first glimpses of Ennerdale and the fells beyond.

Looking over into Bleaberry Combe gives an even better view of the glacial features.

To the left of Fleetwith Pike can again be see Dale Head. However this time the extra height gained permits a further view of the Helvellyn range on the horizon.

Weather can have dramatic effects on the Lake District environment. This view is an example of results of Temperature Inversion. This is a thin layer of the atmosphere where the decrease in temperature with height is much less than normal (or in extreme cases, the temperature increases with height). Here, the rolling nature of the geography causes air formed on the higher land surfaces to drain into the hollows, producing a larger and thicker inversion above low ground and little or none above higher elevations. This lower temperature causes water vapor to condense into Fog and gather in the valleys.

In this image Buttermere, running from left to right, is full of fog caused by this inversion. The shot looks over Dodd toward Newlands with the Grasmoor range to the left and Robinson to the right. On the horizon can be seen Skiddaw and Blencathra.

The way ahead!

From Red Pike a relatively short ridge walk gaining some 150 feet brings the summit of High Stile.

Pillar looms menacingly dark over Ennerdale to the right.

Looking back from High Stile summit the temperature inversion gives the appearance of a cloud sea with the Loweswater Fells forming deserted islands.

In this image The Saddle ridge between Red Pike and Dodd is clearly visible above the morning shadows.

Panning round to the North East, Newlands Hause runs from left to right to meet the sea of cloud covering Keswick and Derwent Water.

Behind, on the horizon lies Skiddaw to the left and Blencathra to the right. In front and to the left is the ridge of Eel Crag, Scar Crags and Causey Pike.

To the right of Newlands valley Robinson begins to rise to form the head of the valley.

Looking further round to the East Buttermere is also full of fog. Fleetwith Pike climbs up into sunlight at the head of the valley.

On the horizon to the left of the image is the Helvellyn range with a shadowy gap visible between Dollywagon pike and Fairfield.

Continuing along the summit top of Fleetwith Pike can be seen Grey Knotts with the jagged plateau of Glaramara further along.

From the same position, this time looking further South, Langdale, Gable and the Scafells come into view.

The mass of rockface immediately to the foreground is Sheepbone Buttress on High Crag. Almost directly above the highes point of the fell can be seen the distinct pimple of Pike O'Stickle in Langdale. Just to the left of this Harrison Sticle stands alone.

Almost in the centre of the shot lies Green Gable and Great Gable with the long, flat top of Kirk Fell advancing to the right before being taken over by the flanks of Pillar and Black Sail Pass.

Finally on the right horizon is the Scafell range with the three distinct peaks of Broad Crag, Scafell Pike and Scafell clearly visible against a cloudless early morning sky.

This time with no cloud a clear view to the West from High Stile's summit. It can be seen from this aspect why Red Pike is so named with it's distinct colouration attributable to iron deposits.

As we move along to the next peak on the ridge a final look back reveals Bleaberry Tarn sitting calmly at the bottom of the combe.

From this position the path up to The Saddle is clear. with Mellbreak sitting behind Dodd on the edge of Crummock Water and Loweswater just visible beyond.

This photo was taken from the summit of High Crag and looks back to the West at High Stile from where we have come.

Crummock Water and Mellbreak are visible to the extreme left althoughin a much altered aspect than that seen from the top of High Stile, something that never ceases to intrigue in Lakeland environs.

To the North and Northeast Grasmoor and Skiddaw are once again viewed across the flatter summit of High Crag.

The rusty steel fencepost points just to the left flank of Skiddaw, on the horizon, through Newlands Hause. Below and in front of Skiddaw is the shadowy Causey Pike and the ridge that leads over Scar Crags and Sail to Eel Crag with the snow lined summit.

To the right of the post is Robinson.

To the Southeast another cairn can be seen on High Crag. On the horizon to it's right is Green Gable and the familiar sugarloaf shape of the Northern aspect of Great Gable.

Below the right flank of Gable, Kirk Fell leads the way toward Pillar. Above are the snowy peaks of the Scafell range.

The Southeast border of High Crag is marked by a gently sloping buttress called Gamlin End. In this photo, just above the man's head can be seen the high level pass between Buttermere and Ennerdale called Scarth Gap.

To the right of his head is the sub-peak of Seat which, along with Scarth Gap, will be crossed as part of the route. On the far side of the pass the ground rises once again forming the ascent of Haystacks.

Beyond Haystacks, halfway to the horizon, the route veres left across the head of Warnscale toward Dubbs Quarry.

The route down Gamlin End toward Seat is step paved and easy offering regular vistas of both Ennerdale and Buttermere valleys.

Approaching the bottom of Gamlin End the descent becomes more shallow and leads toward an unnamed tarn lying just before a short climb onto Seat.

Haystack looms ever closer and from here we get our first view of The Great Stack standing out from the left side of Haystacks.

Walking to the Southern edge of Seat the aspect opens out providing an unobscured view of Ennerdale.

Ennerdale Water itself can be seen at the mouth of the valley with Crag Fell rising up from the Southern shores.

Ritson's Bar is a familiar sight for fellwalkers of the Wasdale area as a popular meeting and starting point.

From the Buttermere side of Seat, the gradualiy rising ridge of Fleetwith Edge can be clearly seen.

Warnscale Beck can also just be seen near the copse on the valley floor as can the quarry road.

On the other side of Honister Pass, behind, are the fells bordering the head of Newlands valley. Hindscarth is to the left and Dale Head is to the right, just visible behind Fleetwith Pike.

From Seat is a gentle path down to the high level pass of Scarth Gap. A shorter route from Gatesgarth leading directly to Haystacks, joins us here at the top of the pass.

Ahead is a short ascent of some 250 feet to the summit of Haystacks.

To the right from Scarth Gap is the path leading down into Ennerdale valley and the Black Sail Youth Hostel.

Once the ascent onto Haystacks from Scarth Gap is complete, a look back affords one of the best views in Lakeland.

It is well documented that Wainwright regarded Haystacks as his favourite fell of all as it's position offered so many breathtaking views of the surrounding ranges.

Here is the view back over Ennerdale with the High Stile ridge in the form of Seat and High Crag to the right, and Pillar to the left on the far side of the valley.

This young Fellwalker, who happens to also be the author's son, thought Pillar to be a particularly spectacular backdrop for his picture.

Haystacks has quite a broad summit that offeres a number of different aspects of the surrounding fells. Here, from the Northern edge, a view down into Buttermere can be enjoyed.

Crummock Water can be seen at the mouth of the valley bordered on the left by Mellbreak. To the right of the valley is the snowtipped Grasmoor range. High Snockrigg is in shadows to the right of Buttermere lake.

Moving slightly further to the South and zooming-in offers a more distinct image of Grasmoor.

Robinson can be seen in the middle of the picture with Whiteless Pike continuing on to the main ridge. With a snowy edge running up to the right from Grasmoor, Wandope can be seen with Eel Crag, and an equally snowy summit, further along the ridge just above the people.

In the opposite direction (looking South) directly above the boys head, is Green Gable with Great Gable next to the right. Through the gap of Beck Head can be seen the Scafell range and on the other side of the gap is relatively flat top of Kirk Fell.

Ritson's Bar is a familiar sight for fellwalkers of the Wasdale area as a popular meeting and starting point.

Looking Easterly from the Summit Tarn, Green Cag can be seen standit out from the Norterly side of Haystacks.

Beyond is the ridge between Fleetwith Pike and Grey Knotts with the grey of Dubbs Quarry just to the left of Green Crag.

At tha very bottom of Green Crag, running across the "V" shape is the quarry road. This is an alternative route back to Gatesgarth that is shorter than Fleetwith Edge but which does not afford such inspiring views.

The path now leads on down to Innominate Tarn, the last resting place of the Father of Lakeland, Alfred Wainwright.

From Innominate Tarn the path now leads down to Blackbeck Tarn and Black Beck that drains off down the valley through Warnscale Bottom and into Buttermere.

Looking West from the path ascending Kirk Fell, the white Wasdale Head Inn can be clearly seen on the valley floor.

To the right of the Inn is the start of the Mosedale Valley and the startingpoint of the horseshoe route.

Beyond the Inn can be seen Wastwater and the spectacular Wasdale screes of Illgill Head (nearest) and Whin Rigg (furthest).

Rising above the Inn to the right is Yewbarrow, and to the left, on the far side of Lingmell Beck, is Lingmell and the northerly reaches of the Scafell range.

Further along the route from Blackbeck Tarn to Dubbs Quarry and Fleetwith Pike the path crosses Warnscale Beck. Turning left here will link up with the quarry road for the route down to Gatesgarth via Warnscale Bottom.

This image looks back toward Green Crag, on the left, the summit of Haystacks, centre, with Pillar peering out from above and High Crag to the right.

This image shows one of the buildings of Dubbs Quarry as we head uphill to the right to gain the ridge leading to the summit of Fleetwith Pike.

Seat and High Crag can be seen in the background.

From the summit of Fleetwith Pike looking South the view is of Haystacks summit with Pillar touching the clouds behind.

The scar running down from left to right along the face of The Great Stack on Haystacks is called Stack Rake and is not to be considered as a possible ascent route.

From the summit of Fleetwith Pike the path follows Fleetwith Edge; a long spine of the fell leading magnificently back down to Gatesgarth.

This view is looking to the left (Soutwest) whilst on the ridge. High Crag, Burtness Combe and High Stile in bright Autumnal colours.

From the same position as the last phot this view looks straight down the Buttermere valley where Mellbreak can be seen in the middle with Crummock Water at it's foot.

Below at the bottom of the picture can be seen the white buidings of Gatesgarth Farm and the end of the days journey.

Again, from the same position looking Northerly across Honister Pass can be seen Dale Head, at the head of Newlands Valley on the other side.

Finally the day's route is over and we return to Garesgarth Farm. This is one las look at Fleetwith Edge where we have just descended.

This view is from the alluvial plain between Buttermere Lake and Crummock Water.

Behind the trees, Honister Crag can be seen jutting out from the main fellside of Fleetwith Pike. Just to the right of the Treetops is the jagged edge of Haystacks.

To the right, next to Haystacks is High Crag and nearer still along the ridge is High Stile.

From the Northern banks of Buttermere, a little firther along the B5289 from Gatesgarth, is a vantage point where the Pines of Buttermere can be admired.

This is an extremely rare picture as there is a no-wind situation enabling the glasslike quality of Buttermere Lake.

Looking straight across the lake from the same position provides one of the most spectacular vistas in Lakeland (when the weather conditions are optimum).

Haystacks is to the left, High Crag is left centre separated from High Stile by Burtness Combe. Just visible to the far right of the ridge is Dodd and the ridge climbing up to Red Pike.

Trickling down from Burtness Combe can be seen Combe Beck where the ascent of the fellside begins.

This image illustrates the route of ascent along the Southerly flanks of the High Stile range.

The ascent begins at Combe Beck under Burtness Combe and climbs the contours aroundGrey Crags under High Stile. The ascent then levels off onto Bleaberry Combe just under Red Pike before finally climbing onto The Saddle and onto the summit ridge.

This view is of the Wasdale Head Inn from the Car Park a few hundred yards to the South of the Inn.

In the background can be seen Pillar at the head of the Mosedale Valley.

The view of the High Stile range from the Ennerdale (Southern) side is every bit as spectacular as that from the Buttermere side.

In this picture a craggy and forrested High Stile is in view. Along the ridge to the left can be seen the summit of Red Pike and to the right side the summit of High Stile itself.

Looking further along the range towards the East, this phot is taken from just above Pillar Rock itself (bottom left).

Grasmoor and Eel Crag can be seen just to the right of High Stile and above the top of High Crag Skiddaw can be seen on the horizon.

Gamlin End is to the right of the summit of High Crag, dropping down towards Seat which is just out of shot. To the right of the top of Gamlin End is Robinson.

Ritson's Bar is a familiar sight for fellwalkers of the Wasdale area as a popular meeting and starting point.

This view is of the Wasdale Head Inn from the Car Park a few hundred yards to the South of the Inn.

In the background can be seen Pillar at the head of the Mosedale Valley.