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About Steeple
Steeple is situated in the mountainous area between Ennerdale and
Wasdale and reaches a height of 819 metres (2687 feet).
It is
really part of Scoat Fell, being just the rocky northern projection of
that fell, however, because of its prominent peak and steep crags it has
earned the reputation of being a separate fell.
Steeple’s close
proximity to Scoat Fell robs it of being one the best fells in the area
as the two fells are linked by the Steeple aręte with a lowest height of
798 metres.
The arete is stony
and loose underfoot due to erosion and it is better to stick to the
firmer rock along the crest.
Scoat Fell is only 22 metres higher
than Steeple but the short distance between them means that the higher
dominates the lower significantly.
Steeple can be ascended from
Wasdale or Ennerdale but it is usually climbed in conjunction with other
nearby fells such as Pillar, Scoat Fell and Red Pike as part of the
Mosedale Horseshoe walk.
It can be climbed directly from
Ennerdale by a public footpath that leaves the valley at grid reference
NY151138 and goes south through the forest to reach the open fell and
climbs the north ridge of Steeple to reach the summit.
The top of the fell is a sharp peak with hardly room for a cairn, in
fact there is only room for a few people and often there is a queue to
stand at the highest point.
The ground falls away sharply on all
sides especially to Windgap Cove to the east.
The view is limited
by higher fells to the south and east but there is an excellent view of
Ennerdale Water and an opportunity to examine the nearby cliffs and
hollows of Mirk and Mirklin Coves.
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