From Rossett Gill

Most people know of Rossett Pike in terms of the infamous Rossett Gill, the pass used to link Langdale with Esk Hause, and trod many thousands of times each year by Scafell Pike-bound fellwalkers. Other than sharing its name with the pass, Rossett Pike has little fame and is not commonly climbed for its own sake, except by those seeking to climb all the Wainwrights.

I scarcely gave a thought to Rossett Pike until I arrived in the Langdale campsite late at night in October 2005. The plan for the next day was to climb Bowfell, one of my favourites, followed by Esk Pike, a peak I had yet to set foot on. I was doubtful I'd complete even this walk, given the weather forecast ... which, for once, turned out to be true. Wind, rain, freezing temperatures and low cloud predominated for most of the day.

Yet I climbed the two main summits far more quickly than I had anticipated, and by the time I reached Esk Hause it was only 2 o'clock. I had a wealth of choices for an add-on ascent (Allen Crags, Great End, even Scafell Pike), but the weather was still foul and I didn't fancy the idea of getting lost somewhere in the Scafell massif and missing my train home the next morning. Rossett Pike, a small peak on the way back down to Langdale, presented itself as the ideal choice.

Luckily the clouds began to break up when I reached Angle Tarn, and by the time I gained Rossett Pike's summit a few minutes later, the view had opened up down the length of Langdale. There are certainly better views, but this is probably the best place for viewing Mickleden, and in any case it was the only view I got to enjoy that day, thanks to the weather.

I descended using the Rossett Gill path. This path has been extensively repaired over the past year, and is now largely secure and well-graded. I fail to understand why some people hate Rossett Gill. Although it's true that the pass is tedious in ascent, there are better routes into the massif (how about Stake Pass, or even Bowfell's Band?) And I have learned to appreciate Rossett Gill as a superb route for descent into Langdale. The view is good, the path clear, and it gives you a chance to reflect on the day before returning to your car / tent / hotel room. Like the Valley Route in Wasdale, it's a path I have learned to know and love. Its fearsome reputation is quite unjustified!

Rossett Pike can be recommended for anyone in the vicinity of Angle Tarn looking for a quick add-on climb, an enjoyable view, and a refreshingly non-busy summit.

View into Mickleden	From the Rossett footbridge
Looking down Rossett Gill	From Mickleden
Slightly clearer May weather	Ascending Rossett Gill