View source for Crinkle Crags

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Short description|Mountain in the English Lake District, Cumbria, England}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Crinkle Crags
| photo = Crinkle_Crags_from_Cold_Pike.jpg
| photo_caption = Crinkle Crags from [[Cold Pike]]; on the far right in sunlight is [[Bowfell]]
| elevation_m = 859
| elevation_ref = 
| prominence = ''c''. 138 m (453 ft)
| parent_peak = [[Scafell Pike]]
| listing = [[Hewitt (hill)|Hewitt]], [[Nuttall (hill)|Nuttall]], [[List of Wainwrights|Wainwright]]
| location = [[Cumbria]], England
| range = [[Lake District]], [[Southern Fells]]
| grid_ref_UK = NY248048
| topo = [[Ordnance Survey|OS]] ''Landranger'' 89, 90, ''Explorer'' OL6
| map = United Kingdom Lake District#United Kingdom Copeland#United Kingdom South Lakeland
| map_caption = Location in the Lake District##Location in Copeland Borough##Location in South Lakeland
| coordinates = {{coord|54.433|N|3.159|W|type:mountain_scale:100000_region:GB|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
}}

{{GB summits start}}
{{GB summits entry
|Name=Crinkle Crags South Top 
|Gridref=NY248048
|Height={{convert|834|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Status=Hewitt, Nuttall}}
{{GB summits entry
|Name=Shelter Crags 
|Gridref=NY249053
|Height={{convert|815|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Status=Hewitt, Nuttall}}
{{GB summits entry
|Name=Shelter Crags North Top 
|Gridref=NY249057
|Height={{convert|755|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Status=Nuttall}}
{{GB summits entry
|Name=Little Stand
|Gridref=NY250034
|Height={{convert|740|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Status=Nuttall}}
{{GB summits entry
|Name=Great Knott
|Gridref=NY260043
|Height={{convert|696|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Status=Nuttall}}
{{End}}

'''Crinkle Crags''' is a [[fell]] in the English [[Lake District]] in the county of [[Cumbria]]. It forms part of two major rings of mountains, surrounding the valleys of [[Great Langdale]] and Upper Eskdale. The name reflects the fell's physical appearance as its summit ridge is a series of five rises and depressions (crinkles) that are very distinctive from the valley floor. In [[Old English language|Old English]], ''cringol'' means twisted or wrinkled.

==Topography==

The nomenclature of the various tops is very confused. Traditional guidebooks tend to rely on what the eye sees and therefore focus attention upon the five ‘crinkles’ of the summit ridge. These are generally referred to as the first to fifth crinkles, but Richards<ref name="richards">Richards, Mark: ''Mid-Western Fells'': Collins (2004): {{ISBN|0-00-711368-4}}</ref> starts in the north, Birkett<ref name="birkett">Birkett, Bill: ''Complete Lakeland Fells'': Collins Willow (1994): {{ISBN|0-00-218406-0}}</ref>  in the south and [[Alfred Wainwright|Wainwright]]<ref name="wainwright">[[Alfred Wainwright]]: ''[[A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells]]'', Book 4: {{ISBN|0-7112-2457-9}}</ref>  employs both conventions, depending upon the direction of travel. For clarity in this article the first crinkle will be taken as the southernmost top. On this basis, the second Crinkle (also called Long Top) is the true summit of the fell. The only other Crinkle with a definitive name is '''Gunson Knott''', but this name is used variously for the third and the fifth, with both the [[Ordnance Survey]]<ref name="os-3rd">{{cite web |title=3rd Crinkle, South Lakeland (or Gunson Knott)(Gunson Knott) - area information, map, walks and more |url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/3rd-crinkle-south-lakeland-or-gunson-knott |website=Ordnance Survey Get Outside |access-date=9 February 2021 |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name="os-5th">{{cite web |title=5th Crinkle, Copeland (or Gunson Knott)(Gunson Knott) - area information, map, walks and more |url=https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/5th-crinkle-copeland-or-gunson-knott |website=Ordnance Survey Get Outside |access-date=9 February 2021 |language=en-gb}}</ref> and the [[Database of British and Irish Hills]]<ref name=hillbagging-3rd /><ref name=hillbagging-5th /> listing it twice. To the north of the Crinkles proper is a depression and then the outcropping continues over Shelter Crags.

In recent times more systematic [[Hill lists in the British Isles|hill lists]] have been produced based upon [[topographical prominence]] and height, rather than mere visual appeal. Most relevant to Crinkle Crags are the lists of [[Hewitt (hill)|Hewitts]] and [[Nuttall (hill)|Nuttalls]]. These variously list the summit,<ref name="hillbagging-summit">{{cite web |title=Crinkle Crags - Long Top [Second Crinkle] |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=N&rf=2371 |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> the first Crinkle (Crinkle Crags South Top),<ref name="hillbagging-1st">{{cite web |title=Crinkle Crags South Top [First Crinkle] |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=S&rf=2376&st=cld |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> and two tops on '''Shelter Crags''' (Shelter Crags<ref name="hillbagging-shelter">{{cite web |title=Shelter Crags |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?rf=2380 |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> and Shelter Crags North Top),<ref name="hillbagging-shelternorth">{{cite web |title=Shelter Crags North Top |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?rf=2391 |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> but exclude the other three Crinkles,<ref name="nuttall">Nuttall, John & Anne: ''The Mountains of England and Wales'': Cicerone: {{ISBN|1-85284-037-4}}</ref> although the third (sometimes named Gunson Knott),<ref name="hillbagging-3rd">{{cite web |title=Crinkle Crags - Third Crinkle [Gunson Knott] |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=B&rf=2777 |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=os-3rd /> fourth<ref name="hillbagging-4th">{{cite web |title=Crinkle Crags - Fourth Crinkle |url=https://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=B&rf=3724 |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> and fifth (also sometimes named Gunson Knott)<ref name="hillbagging-5th">{{cite web |title=Crinkle Crags - Gunson Knott [Fifth Crinkle] |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=B&rf=3725 |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=os-5th /> are all [[Birkett (hill)|Birkett]]s.

The ridge of Crinkle Crags extends due south from its higher neighbour, [[Bowfell]]. Between the two is the [[Mountain pass|col]] of Three Tarns, named for the small pools in the depression. Depending upon recent rainfall there may be anything from two to five [[tarn (lake)|tarns]] in evidence on the ground. From here the rocky outcropping of Shelter Crags is quickly reached.

Beyond the summit to the south, the ridge descends over '''Stonesty Pike''' (a Birkett)<ref name="hillbagging-stonesty">{{cite web |title=Stonesty Pike |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=B&rf=3729&st=cld&showall=Y |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref> and '''Little Stand''' (a Nuttall and a [[Fellranger (hill)|Fellranger]]<ref name="hillbagging-little">{{cite web |title=Little Stand |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?qu=S&rf=2403&showall=Y |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>) to the [[Duddon Valley]] at Cockley Beck. Two further ridges branch out from Crinkle Crags on either side of the summit, before turning south to run parallel to Little Stand. On the west, across the marshy trench of Moasdale is [[Hard Knott]]. To the east an initially indistinct ridge firms up on the traverse to [[Cold Pike]]. Between Cold Pike and Crinkle Crags, but generally included as part of the latter is the further Nuttall of '''Great Knott'''.<ref name="hillbagging-gk">{{cite web |title=Great Knott |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?rf=2426 |website=www.hill-bagging.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2021}}</ref>

==Ascents==

In his ''[[Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells]]'', [[Alfred Wainwright]] describes Crinkle Crags as

:''Much too good to be missed ... this is a climb deserving of high priority.''<ref name="wainwright"/>
 
There are a variety of routes directly to the summit: most people climb the fell from Great Langdale and usually together with all or some of the adjoining fells of [[Bowfell]], [[Pike of Blisco]], [[Rossett Pike]] and [[Cold Pike]] to make a high-level ridge walk which encompasses the whole of the high ground at the head of Great Langdale. The ascent from [[Eskdale, Cumbria|Eskdale]] is very good, but that is at least a {{convert|15|km|mile|abbr=off}} round trip (depending on where in Eskdale one starts), and many people will think that this too far to "[[peak bagging|bag]]" just one fell. The shortest and quickest route requires the use of a car to the top of the [[Wrynose Pass]] motor road.

==Summit==
The traverse of the summit ridge with its series of undulations is an exhilarating experience for the fell walker. The ridge includes the so-called "Bad Step", a steep declivity which catches out many walkers when travelling from north to south; however, the obstacle can be by-passed without too much trouble.

The view from the summit is very good: there are airy views of Great Langdale, Eskdale and [[Dunnerdale]], with the estuaries of the rivers [[River Duddon|Duddon]] and [[River Esk (Ravenglass)|Esk]] well seen as they enter the [[Irish Sea]]. There is a very good view of England's highest mountain, [[Scafell Pike]], which lies just four kilometres ({{frac|2|1|2}} miles) away to the north west. Shelter Crags gives extensive all-round views.

[http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/ENGP/Crinkle%20Crags.png Panorama]

== Protected Area ==
Crinkle Crags are within a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] (SSSI)<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=SSSI detail |url=https://designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk/SiteDetail.aspx?SiteCode=S2000238&SiteName=ray%20and%20crinkle&countyCode=&responsiblePerson=&SeaArea=&IFCAArea= |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=designatedsites.naturalengland.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Protected Planet {{!}} Ray and Crinkle Crags |url=https://www.protectedplanet.net/170066 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Protected Planet}}</ref> called ''Ray and Crinkle Crags''.  This 146 hectare site was designated in 1988 because of the important geology present that reveals volcanic activity that occurred here in the late [[Ordovician]] period. 

This protected area includes Crinkle Crags South Top and Gunson Knott.

=== Details of SSSI status ===
The volcanic rocks of the [[Borrowdale Volcanic Group]] at Crinkle Crags record the cyclic history of eruptions and [[caldera]] collapse that occurred within the Scafel Caldera. Rock types present include [[Tuff|tuffs]] and [[ignimbrite]].<ref name=":0" /> West of Crinkle Crags, [[basalt]] lava has been recorded. This site is exceptional because it shows the range of deposits formed by the explosive disintegration of [[magma]] by water (most calderas of this type are inaccessible because they are flooded or buried by their erupted products). The geology here has been interpreted as showing how volcanic eruptions led to [[Fault (geology)|faults]] changing and growing.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=BRANNEY |first=MICHAEL J. |date=1991-07-01 |title=Eruption and depositional facies of the Whorneyside Tuff Formation, English Lake District: An exceptionally large-magnitude phreatoplinian eruption |url=https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/gsabulletin/article-abstract/103/7/886/182581/Eruption-and-depositional-facies-of-the |journal=GSA Bulletin |volume=103 |issue=7 |pages=886–897 |doi=10.1130/0016-7606(1991)103<0886:EADFOT>2.3.CO;2 |issn=0016-7606|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 

=== Land ownership in this SSSI ===
Crinkle Crags are aligned on the boundary between [[Eskdale, Cumbria|Eskdale]] and [[Westmorland and Furness]]. Part of the land within ''Ray and Crinkle Crags SSSI'' that is on the western [[Eskdale, Cumbria|Eskdale]] side is owned by the [[National Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-06 |title=Mapping the habitats of England’s ten largest institutional landowners |url=https://whoownsengland.org/2020/10/06/mapping-the-habitats-of-englands-ten-largest-institutional-landowners/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Who owns England? |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Cumbria}}
*[[List of hills in the Lake District]]

==Gallery==

<gallery>
Image:Crinkles Lakeland.jpg|The five Crinkles as seen from [[Great Knott]]
Image:Scafells_from_Crinkle_Crags.jpg|The [[Sca Fell]] massif from the summit of Crinkle Crags
Image:Great_Langdale_from_Crinkle_Crags.jpg|[[Great Langdale]] from the summit of Crinkle Crags
Image:Bad_Step_on_Crinkle_Crags.PNG|The famous 'Bad Step'
Image:Crinke Crags.JPG|The Crinkles (left) looking up The Band
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Southern Fells}}
{{Lake District Mid West}}

[[Category:Fells of the Lake District]]
[[Category:Hewitts of England]]
[[Category:Nuttalls]]
[[Category:Cumberland (unitary authority)]]
[[Category:Westmorland and Furness]]
[[Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Cumbria]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Cumbria]]