Topography Dollywaggon Pike

map showing dollywaggon pike , surrounding features 1925.

the helvellyn range runs broadly north–south 7 miles, remaining above 2,000 ft (600 m) throughout length. dollywaggon pike southernmost fell of ridge proper, nethermost pike north. there subsidiary top between nethermost , dollywaggon pikes named high crag (2,990 ft / 884 m). due limited depression between two, guidebooks follow wainwright in counting high crag part of nethermost pike. south of dollywaggon pike complex depression containing grisedale tarn, seat sandal , fairfield rising beyond.

in common of helvellyn range there marked contrast between western , eastern slopes of dollywaggon pike. in wainwright’s words ‘to west, uninteresting grass slopes descend dunmail raise unrelieved rock , scarred wide stony track gouged across breast of fell boots of generations of pilgrims helvellyn. eastern side desolation of crag , boulder , scree.’

high crag, considered part of nethermost pike, seen dollywaggon pike summit.

the western flank named willie wife moor reasons lost antiquity. bounded birkside gill north , raise beck south, reggle knott being area of rough ground. @ base of slope raise beck flows north thirlmere, having been diverted part of 1884 reservoir project. turned south down other side of dunmail raise pass feed grasmere. before diversion, dollywaggon pike distinctive in drainage reached sea @ more spread points other lakeland fell, raise beck going through grasmere , windermere reach morecambe bay, birkside gill going through thirlmere , derwent water reach irish sea @ workington , grisedale beck draining ullswater , sea @ solway firth. still case today when there enough water in raise beck flow both north , south, seat sandal has distinction.

birkside gill contains remains of number of levels driven copper between 1840 , 1866.

on east, first impression of rock. long strath of grisedale runs north-eastward ullswater, cutting off series of hanging valleys fall helvellyn range. north-east of dollywaggon pike, below summit of high crag, ruthwaite cove, corrie surrounded on 3 sides crag. ruthwaite cove site of ruthwaite lodge, climbing hut. formerly setting more industrious activity, remains of several levels , shallow open mineworking being visible near lodge. these excavations made lead-bearing galena, , believed have been worked in sixteenth century. further leases taken out in 1784 , 1862, last-known operation being in 1880. east of dollywaggon pike second corrie, cock cove, falcon crag , gullied tarn crag providing impressive headwall.

cock cove seen tongue on dollywaggon pike.

between 2 coves, dollywaggon pike sends out fine rocky ridge, tongue. arête ascends series of rocky steps making straight summit. @ bottom of tongue spout crag, standing above grisedale beck , forcing walkers take detour ridgeline.

north of dollywaggon pike ridge narrows , steps on high crag plateau top of nethermost pike. in other direction high ground curves south-east around cock cove before long slope falls grisedale tarn @ around 1,770 ft (539 m). sizeable tarn has depth of around 110 ft (34 m) , holds brown trout, perch , eels. outflow ullswater north east, picking of rainfall eastern face of dollywaggon pike. west of tarn unnamed col between dollywaggon pike , seat sandal , south grisedale hause, depression between seat sandal , fairfield. seat sandal stands topographically on ridge between 2 higher fells, out on limb many walkers proceed directly dollywaggon pike fairfield.