Place Fell
Walk Date – 5th November 2014
Distance – 7.7 miles
Weather – Dry, mild, hazy, cool easterly breeze on summit
Route
Goldrill Beck on a lovely morning, its hard to believe we’re into November.
The little hamlet of Rooking.
As we climb a view of Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd across Ullswater.
Arnison Crag, Birks and a cloud topped St Sunday Crag from Boredale Hause.
Cloud is beginning to build over Helvellyn.
After a short stop for drinks at Boredale Hause it was onwards to Place Fell. No need for jackets at the moment, the sun is out and its getting a bit warm.
Looking westwards into Grisedale from the climb up Place Fell. The bank of cloud over Helvellyn is steadily increasing.
An easy scramble adds interest to the climb, although you could always walk around the side of it.
A closer look at the scramble section, its not at all difficult.
Cloud still building in the west. It was impossible to take pictures to the south as the sun was so bright.
Looking northwards with a glimpse of Ullswater behind Hallin Fell.
Approaching Place Fell summit.
Looking east across the tarns just below the summit.
More tarns just below the summit, and lots of hopping over the smaller pools as well.
The trig point on its rocky outcrop and a very minor scramble to get to it.
Place Fell summit with Ullswater in the distance and a lot of haze to the north east.
Jackets were needed on the summit thanks to a cool easterly breeze, we had climbed without them up to this point.
We had lunch in a sheltered spot on the west side with a view down to Glenridding. The Greenside Road is clearly visible going up the valley to the right, but the haze rather spoils things.
Another hazy view, this time into Grisedale.
The sun disappeared for a moment so I took the opportunity to take a quick shot south over Brothers Water. Even with the sun obscured views to the south were almost non-existent today, all you could see were silhouettes.
Lunch over and its time to be moving on, the path passes close to Place Fell tarn.
Place Fell tarn.
Place Fell tarn again, this time looking south. Not the greatest photo but the best that could be managed under the circumstances.
Looking over Gowbarrow at the two Mell Fells.
Zooming in on the northern end of Ullswater and Penrith.
Ullswater again beyond Hallin Fell.
The old sheepfold at Low Moss with High Dodd beyond it.
A close up of Blencathra, cloud free all day so walkers up there today should have had some good views.
Passing below High Dodd.
An old quarry building below High Dodd …..
….. and a view of Blencathra through the window.
The other side of the old quarry building.
It could hardly be called a waterfall but plenty of water was coming down it nevertheless.
The remains of the old quarry.
It was a squelchy walk down as water had taken ownership of most of the path, the view along Ullswater and the vibrant autumn colours compensated nicely though.
Turning a corner brings Hallin Fell into view, and also some more soggy path. A pair of wellies would have been handy along here.
Ullswater, a full circuit of which would entail a walk of just under 20 miles. its a very long stretch of water.
Approaching the footbridge over Scalehow Beck.
Scalehow Beck bridge.
Scalehow Force. Apparently Scalehow Force is not a natural feature but a Victorian folly. The original owner of the scenically sited house located on the opposite shore of Ullswater, which now forms the home of the Ullswater Outward Bound Centre, sought to enhance his view by successfully gun-powdering the beck to create a picturesque waterfall. Of course it wasn’t a National Park then so I suppose he could do as he pleased.
Gowbarrow Fell across Ullswater.
Looking north along Ullswater.
Sunlight on the silver birches below us.
Ullswater, looking south.
Its autumn so we noticed lots of different species of fungi. These ones looked a bit like white lilies from a distance.
Back in the sunshine again as we approach the southernmost end of Ullswater.
More fungi. This time its bracket fungi on an old tree near Side Farm.
Back where we started, on the bridge over Goldrill Beck, and the sun has set bringing to an end a thoroughly enjoyable walk on a fabulous day.