Looking up Browney Gill to the summit

Cold Pike is one of those fells that, like its close cousin Pike of Blisco, tends to get passed by in favour of the higher summits. It is set back some way from Langdale, and although it is visible from some of the Langdale fells, only from Wrynose Bottom in Dunnerdale is it seen really prominently. Other than Wainwright-baggers, few people set out with the firm intention of climbing this particular fell.

Indeed, when talking to others about the places I've been and the hills I've climbed, Cold Pike tends to be the one I forget. That isn't because there's anything negative about it; it's just that, when compared with the well-loved classics of Lakeland, this fell appears unremarkable. For many it's just a tick on a list. I've never been one for mountain-bagging for the sake of it, though, and for me the primary reason for hillwalking must always be enjoyment.

I climbed Cold Pike straight after Pike of Blisco, by using the Crinkle Crags path from Red Tarn then cutting across the open fellside towards the summit. There is not much of a path here, which is a testament to the unpopularity of the fell. But it is quiet, the view is good, and the summit itself has no less than three peaks, each with its own small cairn. This led to confusion over which was the true top. Wainwright described Cold Pike as a "Crinkle Crags in miniature".

Other than the rock outcrops in the immediate vicinity of the summit, there are few memorable features about Cold Pike. But it does give a nice add-on ascent if it's still early in the day after climbing Blisco or the Crinkles, and it does give good views of familiar mountains from an unfamiliar perspective.

From Red Tarn	The summit outcrop
View into Dunnerdale	Looking down Browney Gill to the Langdale Pikes