From the Langdale Pikes

Despite its relatively lowly height, Pike of Blisco is one of my favourite hills. It was my first objective upon arriving in Langdale in May 2005, and the route I chose to the summit (by way of Blea Tarn, from the Langdale campsite) is one of the best short fell-walks in the area. The going is nowhere difficult. There is one steep section from the beck up to the first "plateau", but the path has been repaired and stepped by dedicated volunteers (see Fix the Fells for more information), and is no longer the eroded scar it once was.

There are a couple of scrambly steps on the way up to the summit dome, and these serve to enliven an already highly enjoyable walk. The summit area itself is intricate and fascinating, everywhere very rocky, and at one time sported a very large and well-constructed cairn; it is still in evidence, but has been badly damaged.

The view is one of the best things about this fell. Pike of Blisco has a unique position in the midst of many larger mountains, and this gives a broad and varied view in all directions: from the rugged summits of Bowfell and Crinkle Crags, to the glorious length of Langdale, to the more gentle countryside extending towards Windermere, the view is of exceptional quality wherever you look. I spent half an hour sitting on the summit just enjoying the sense of being there.

Pike of Blisco was deserted that day; in fact, it was one of the very few occasions when I've had an entire hill to myself. I guess people pass it over in favour of the bigger peaks towards the head of the valley.

And that just goes to show that altitude doesn't count for everything. Scafell Pike, in all its 978 metres of rugged height, has never appealed to me that much; and yet Pike of Blisco has steadfastly remained one of my personal favourites for many months. That day, climbing via an unchallenging route to a summit scarcely above 700 metres, was one of the most enjoyable I've ever spent in the mountains.

From The Band, Bowfell	From Bowfell summit
From near Blea Tarn	View to Windermere from the top
Looking down into Langdale	From near Dungeon Ghyll