The Pike Again

This is Dufton Pike, as seen in yesterday's blip. Then the picture was taken from the village; this one was taken from the track that runs all the way round the Pike. The Pikes are part of the North Pennines and these conical hills are made of the oldest rocks in the Pennines. The rocks are slates and volcanic rocks and are separated from the rocks of the Eden Valley by faults.

Dufton Pike is private land and until fairly recently it was not officially possible to climb the Pike without permission. Of course everyone did. However, that explains why, although the walk around the Pike is well-documented and very popular, the route up is largely unknown.

Then came 'Right to Roam' and the Pike became public access land. Now it is much more common to see figures on the top. There is even a stile and a signpost showing the way up and a track is rapidly forming. Mind you it is quite a pull and can be extremely windy at the top. The views are great though.

During the agricultural show, held every August, there is a fell race where the runners run straight up and down the front of the Pike - scary!!