Haystacks (mountain)

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Haystacks
The classic view of Haystacks from Gatesgarth. By Ann Bowker.
Elevation	597 m (1,958 ft)
Location	Lake District, England
Prominence	c. 92 m
Topo map	OS Landrangers 89, 90
OS grid reference	NY193131
Listing	Wainwright

Haystacks, or Hay Stacks, is a mountain in England's Lake District, situated at the south-eastern end of the Buttermere Valley. Although not of any great elevation (597 m, 1,958 ft), Haystacks has become one of the most popular fells in the area. This fame is mainly due to the writings of Alfred Wainwright, who espoused its attractions and chose it as the place where he wanted his ashes scattered. Its summit is full of interest and contains a number of attractive rock formations and tarns. Wainwright's ashes were scattered by his wife Betty by the shores of Innominate Tarn, one of the largest summit tarns. In Buttermere church there is a memorial to Wainwright, and one can look out the window to Haystacks.

Haystacks is most often climbed either via the Scarth Gap Pass, or the route to Dubs Quarry on the other side of Warnscale Bottom. A lesser known route, but one favoured by Alfred Wainwright, follows an old quarry track running between Warnscale Beck and Black Beck up towards Green Crag.

The name derives from the appearance of the summit cliffs. According to Wainwright, the name derives from the Icelandic stack meaning 'a columnar rock' and the correct translation of this should be High Rocks.

High Crag from the summit tarn

Great Gable from Blackbeck Tarn