Buttermere from Haystacks This is the continuation of my walk. A bit higher now on Haystacks Haystacks towers over the southern end of Buttermere. At just under 2000ft it is not the highest of mountains that wrap around the valley like an amphitheatre but the legendary Alfred Wainwright considered Haystacks the best walk in the Lake District and having now done the walk I would agree that it is one of the best I have ever done. The walk perhaps a little strenuous and requiring some hands and feet scrambling in a few places is rewarded by outstanding views across Buttermere and Crummock water to the north and a traversing view on the summit takes in Lowerswater and the mountains of Great Gable,Pillar,High Crag,Grasmoor,Robinson and Dale Head and just peaking between these summits one can even get a glimpse of Scafell. The summit itself is very interesting and contains a number of attractive and rugged rock formations and tarns although many of the rock formations have been worn smooth from boot scrambling over the area. Following his death in 1991 Alfred Wainwright had his ashes scattered on the summit by his wife Betty near the shores of Innominate Tarn which is just a short stroll from the summit As Alfred Wainwright said "For beauty,variety and interesting detail,for sheer fascination and unique individuality, the summit area of Haystacks is supreme.This is in fact the best fell top of all - a place of great charm and fairytale attractiveness. Seen from a distance these qualities are not expected,indeed on the contrary the appearance of Haystacks is almost repellent when viewed from the higher surrounding peaks : black are its bones and black is its flesh. With its thick covering of heather it is dark and sombre even when the sun sparkles the waters of its many tarns,gloomy and mysterious even under a blue sky.There are fierce crags and rough screes that will be grittier still when the authors ashes are scattered here."