Sunday 6 February 2011

Around Derwentwater 9 - Ladder Stile



Way, way back, not long after I first began this blog, I ran a mini series of 4 scattered posts about stiles. I like stiles! I'm not exactly sure why, but they appeal to me as structures. Occasionally, I join with a friend in a walking group and there is one member who is a bit of a purist, insisting on climbing every stile, even when it is positioned next to a wide open gate or an enormous gap in the wall. I can sort of identify with her; though more so at the beginning of the walk when my legs are fresh, than at the end.

It's taken me a while to snap a ladder stile because they are less common than other kinds. All designs of stile set their own peculiar problems when it comes to accessibility, but, for many, the ladder stile is the biggest pain of all. Imagine coaxing a dog over one of these, or lifting a pushchair or bicycle. All possible, but problematic.

As a result, ladder stiles are built as a bit of a last resort; but prove particularly useful where a wall needs to be surmounted. They tend to be more common in upland areas and on moorlands, but this one is at the foot of Shepherd's Crag in Borrowdale.


If you want to check out other stiles, click the label at the bottom of this post.

7 comments:

  1. I like stiles too; and yes some are definitely easier than others - that one certainly looks a challenge...

    ...but your phrase "snap a stile" really made me smile

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  2. That would make a hike a little more challenging!

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  3. Eek. That looks precipitous - there can't be many as steep as that.

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  4. It makes me smile when I learn something new. I had not known the word or the thing: stile. I think I would be fine maneuvering this one.

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  5. The concept of a stile is new to me! How very interesting. I think I'd also feel a compulsion to cross over each one I saw. Fabulous photos, H!

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  6. Thanks H. Vey fine fotos,( Danish ) quite in style!

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  7. I concur fully with your stile fascination. This one looks daunting for any but the most agile and fleet of foot (definitely not a place we'd be able to take my 94 year old FIL for a walk!) I wonder why it doesn't have a hand-rail to make it a bit easier?

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