273. Langdale Valley - 17th April 2019

We got the last free parking space on the old bridge at Langdale Beck. We were walking along Langdale enjoying a lovely day with lambs playing in the fields. We had planned to walk up The Band in the centre of the picture and do Bowfell first. Dave in the B&B had said how he hated the band because it was so long. We were enjoying walking on the level so much we decided to turn right at Stool End Farm and walk up Mickleden instead. It was really nice to walk along underneath Pike O Stickle and Loft Crag where we had been the night before. We got chatting to an old guy after we crossed the river and he told us about the Pack Horse Route up to the left of Stickle Gill where there is a 200 year old grave. He found the grave after going up there for 10 years. We considered taking the route but in the end we missed the turn and also read in the guide book that the upper part of the route is no longer in use.