Route of the Month

I was delighted to see one of my favourite local fell walks – Buttermere Edge – featured as Route of the Month in September’s TGO. Jeremy Ashcroft’s diagram is, as always, excellent.

I walk this route several times each year, and as a Fix the Fells volunteer I help maintain the paths. May I suggest to readers that it is best walked in the opposite direction to that described. I say this for three reasons. Firstly, in my opinion, the views ahead are better walking the ridge from Red Pike to High Crag. Secondly, the descent from Red Pike can be hazardous, particuarly below Bleaberry Tarn and in Burtness Woods – where in wet conditions the path becomes very slippery especially in autumn with leaves on the ground. Finally, if you arrive at Scarth Gap wanting more it’s great to continue over Hay Stacks before descending into Warnscale Bottom and walking back to Buttermere on either side of the lake. Another excellent edition of TGO – keep up the great work.

Graham Simpson, Cumbria