A Lakeland Epic

With winter slowly retreating, we set an ambitious plan for our first big day out in the hills of the year. Starting from Stonethwaite, we would head along the Langstrath Valley, up and down Stake Pass into Langdale, before climbing the infamous Rossett Ghyll leading us towards Angle Tarn and Esk Hause. From there, we would have one of the best descents in the Lake District, descending 500 metres over three miles past Sprinkling and Styhead Tarns, all the way to Stockley Bridge. In just under 15 miles, we would cram in well over 3,000ft elevation, and take in some epic trails along the way. The weather was pretty much perfect as we set off from the van, and even tucked away in the shade, we soon warmed up as we cruised up the valley.

Glorious light clipping the tops of the valley as we set off


Before long, we crossed to the other side of the valley, and were faced with Stake Pass rearing up in front of us. Practically impossible to ride all the way up, Ian gave it his best shot, showing off some great trials moves to get round the super tight switchbacks, while the rest of us mortals were reduced to pushing and carrying.


The first push of the day, up Stake Pass

Ooooft

It was worth it though, and climbing up into the sunshine we were faced with a thin ribbon of trail disappearing into the hazy morning light. Having got a few pics of the other guys at the top, it was time for me to play catch up. Nearly 15 minutes long with a mix of stone pitching, rough boulders and super tight switchbacks, this was Lakes riding at its finest. Halfway down, I clattered my rear mech into a rock and looking down at a tangled mess of chain, rear mech and cassette, I feared my ride would be over, but fortunately the mech was just twisted around the mech bolt and I was able to sort it fairly quickly.

Stake Pass, disappearing into the early morning haze


Dropping in for the first descent of the day - the brutal Stake Pass

With the first descent of the day in the bag we regrouped at the bottom and had a bite to eat as we would need all our energy to tackle the infamous Rossett Ghyll. I had heard many things about this monster of a pass, and not all of them good.

In the end it took over an hour of solid climbing, with only a brief pause halfway up to take in the view.

Taking it all in

At the top the clouds started closing in, so we didn't hang around for too long and we slipped our way through the snow towards Angle Tarn.

Poised, waiting for the off

Slip sliding our way through the snow towards Angle Tarn

From Angle Tarn, we had one last push up to the shelter at Esk Hause. By this point we were all feeling pretty broken, but we were spurred on by the knowledge that when we reached Esk Hause it would be downhill all the way back to the van.

The last climb of the day

It can be lonely on the way up

Just time for a quick rest at Esk Hause before the last descent back to the van.

Oh yeah...

Huge sweeping views try and distract us from the task at hand

It didn't disappoint! Dropping 500 metres over three miles, the trail from Esk Hause to Stockley Bridge is comfortably in my top three descents in the Lake District. In spite of the glorious sunshine winter was still clinging on, and as we shot past Sprinkling Tarn in the shade of Great End, there were a few patches of sheet ice for us to navigate past. It didn't put us off too much though and we were soon back underway, enjoying ourselves on the flowing path down to Styhead Tarn.

Descending past a frozen Sprinkling Tarn

Great Gable provides the perfect backdrop for the perfect trail

Danny getting his Enduro tech on, high above Styhead Tarn

Danny, powering down Styhead Gill

Once past Styhead Tarn the trail changed character - there was a brief boulder field to cross as the trail went alongside the river, but before too long we were back underway again. The trail was bigger this time, steeper and tighter, with more drainage ditches to contend with and less margin for error, but still an absolute hoot to ride. Added to which, I had the incredibly fast Gary Cotton breathing down my neck, pushing me all the way as I tried to keep up with Ian.

Near endless switchbacks all the way to the valley floor

Great views down the valley on the last descent of the day

Wheeeeeeee

Looking up towards Grains Gill

Cruising back to the van in the late afternoon sun

With a gentle spin back along the road, all that was left to do was stop off in Keswick on the way home for obligatory tea and cake to start planning our next adventure...

Words and Photos: James Vincent

Riders:
Danny O Callaghan
Ian Cawthorne
Gary Cotton
Tony Farnell
Richard Grave

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MENTIONS: @jimijazz @DannyOC

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