Nethermost Pike

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Nethermost Pike
Nethermost Pike from Grisedale by Ann Bowker.
Elevation	891 m (2,922 ft)
Location	Cumbria, England
Range	Lake District
Prominence	22 m
Topo map	OS Explorer OL5, Landranger 90
OS grid reference	NY343142
Listing	Wainwright, Nuttall

Nethermost Pike is a fell in the English Lake District. It stands on the main spine of the Helvellyn range in the Eastern Fells, between Thirlmere in the west and the Ullswater catchment to the east.

1 Topography
2 Summit and View
3 Ascents
4 References

[edit] Topography

The Helvellyn range runs broadly north-south for about 7 miles, remaining above 2,000 ft (600 m) throughout its length. Nethermost Pike is toward the southern end of this ridge, with Helvellyn itself to the north and Dollywaggon Pike to the south. There is a further top between Nethermost and Dollywaggon Pikes named High Crag (2,900 ft). Due to the very limited depression between High Crag and the main summit, most guidebooks follow Alfred Wainwright and his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells in counting it as a part of Nethermost Pike. This convention is not universally followed however. ^[1]

In common with much of the Helvellyn range there is a marked contrast between the western and eastern slopes of Nethermost Pike. In Wainwright's words "The grassy western slope trodden by the multitudes is of little interest, but the fell should not be judged accordingly: it is made of sterner stuff. From the east, Nethermost Pike is magnificent, hardly less so than Helvellyn".^[2]

The western slopes fall smoothly to the head of Thirlmere reservoir, and the tiny church at Wythburn. There are rougher areas, High and Comb Crags in particular, but these do little to change the overall impression of high moorland. The lower slopes have been planted with conifers as part of the Thirlmere Forest, but above this is a sense of wide open space. Nethermost Pike's toehold on the valley is shifted a little to the south, relative to its position on the ridge. This is because Whelpside and Birkside Gills, its boundary streams, both run southwest, rather than flowing straight down the slope.

On the east, the first impression is all of rock. The long strath of Grisedale runs north eastward to Ullswater, cutting off a series of hanging valleys which fall from the Helvellyn range. To the south east of Nethermost Pike, below the summit of High Crag, is Ruthwaite Cove. Surrounded by crag on three sides, this corrie contains Hard Tarn, a small pool on a rock shelf. This is one of the most difficult mountain tarns to locate, and its black algal bed and clear water combine to give the false impression of great depth. ^[3], ^[4]. Ruthwaite Cove is now the site of Ruthwaite Lodge, a climbing hut. It was formerly the setting for more industrious activity, with the remains of several levels and some shallow open mineworking being visible near the Lodge. These excavations were made for lead bearing galena, and are believed to have been worked in the sixteenth century. Further leases were taken out in 1784 and 1862, the last known operation being in 1880. ^[5]. North east of the summit the scene is repeated in Nethermost Cove. This contains the remains of the Eagle Crag Mine which has a history similar to that of Ruthwaite Lodge. ^[5]

Between the two coves, Nethermost Pike sends out a fine rocky ridge. This arête, whilst not as imposing as Striding Edge across Nethermost Cove, ascends by a series of rocky steps for three quarters of a mile, making straight for the summit. It is from this angle, rather than from the west, that the fell earns the sobriquet of "Pike", that is a peaked mountain. At the bottom of the ridge is Eagle Crag, standing above Grisedale Beck and forcing walkers to take a detour from the ridgeline.

Geologically the summit of the fell forms part of the Deepdale Formation, (principally volcaniclastic sandstone) underlain by the dacitic lapilli-tuff of the Helvellyn Formation.^[6]

North from Nethermost Pike is the depression of Swallow Scarth above the head of Nethermost Cove. From here the ridge climbs again, turning to the west as the long plateau of Helvellyn top is reached. Southwards the ridge steps down over High Crag and narrows as it swings east around Ruthwaite Cove to Dollywaggon Pike. A heavily eroded path runs along the ridge, but actually bypasses the top of Nethermost Pike to the west. The majority of walkers on this route have nothing but Helvellyn in their sights.

[edit] Summit and View

The summit area is triangular in plan as befits a fell with three ridges, the actual top being toward the northern corner and set back a little from the drop to Nethermost Cove. There is a rash of stones on the summit although the surroundings are mostly clad in rough grass, and several small cairns have been built. Other than northward, where the bulk of Helvellyn intervenes, the view is impressive with much of the District in sight. Further ground is brought into view from the summit of High Crag. ^[2]

[edit] Ascents

From the west Nethermost Pike is climbed (more commonly merely traversed) from the Wythburn carpark, following the wide track to Helvellyn before branching off right at Swallow Scarth. Alternatives are possible on the smooth flanks of the fell, but all are pathless. From the east the route of choice is the east ridge, reached either from the path to Eagle Crag Mine, or via Ruthwaite Lodge and Hard Tarn.

[edit] References

^ Birkett, Bill; Complete Lakeland Fells; Collins Willow (1994); ISBN 0-0021-8406-0
^ ^a ^b Alfred Wainwright:A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 1: ISBN 0-7112-2454-4
^ Blair, Don; Exploring Lakeland Tarns; Lakeland Manor Press (2003); ISBN 0-9543-9041-5
^ Richards, Mark; Near Eastern Fells; Collins (2003); ISBN 0-0071-1366-8
^ ^a ^b Adams, John: Mines of the Lake District Fells, Dalesman (1995); ISBN 0-8520-6931-6
^ Woodhall, DG: Geology of the Keswick District- a brief explanation of the geological map. 1:50,000 Sheet 29: British Geological Survey (2000)