Category: Uncategorized

Walk Date – 17th September 2015

Distance – 6.25 miles

Weather – sunny and warm at first, cloudy and cool by late morning

 

We were in for a dry day today with only a very slight chance of a rain shower so we planned a walk from Sadgill up to Grey Crag and then over to Tarn Crag. We haven’t been to either since 2010 so its definitely time for a revisit. Sadgill is in Longsleddale which isn’t too far from home and so we were there just after 9.00 am and found no other cars parked up in the tiny parking area. It was a beautiful morning by this time, but just after dawn when I first woke up and looked out of the window there was thick mist everywhere, in other words a temperature inversion. When I got up a little later on and looked out again all the mist had gone and in its place was blue sky and sunshine.

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Route

From the Sadgill parking area a look at our route up to Grey Crag.

Also from the parking area looking along the track up Longsleddale. Its a fabulous morning and as there is no-one else here we have the pick of the parking spots.

The bridge at Sadgill. There’s nothing sad about this place though, its a lovely little spot.

Having parked up and kitted up, especially with gaiters as where we planned to walk is always wet underfoot, off we went through the gate and across the fields to take the path up to Great Howe.

The view up Longsleddale as we start climbing.

A look back down at the little hamlet of Sadgill, our car is still the only one there.

We’re making for the stile in the wall up there, then its fight a way through the shoulder high bracken to the foot of the gully over on the left.

Higher still and now there’s an even better view up Longsleddale. A few of the sheep were interested in what I was doing.

A trouble free walk over the grass brings us to the stile, now to tackle the bracken which is covering the fell side behind me.

Having dealt with the bracken we now have to negotiate Easy Gully. Easy compared to what we asked? You may now be wondering why waterproof gaiters are being worn when its not wet. That’s because it will be later in the walk.

A look back down Easy Gully, not quite ‘easy peasy’ but not too difficult either. It is quite steep but the worst thing about it was its rough and uneven nature which proved to be very trying at times.

From Easy Gully we make our way over to that wall, turn right when we get there and follow it upwards.

The path runs alongside the wall, and offers a grand view up Longsleddale. By this time my outer layers were off and I’m down to t-shirt level as we, and the temperature, climbed higher.

Looking west across the valley, on the left with the knobbles on top is Shipman Knotts, and to the far right of that is Kentmere Pike.

We’re high above Sadgill now and still no-one else has parked down there. The smoke on the left isn’t a wild fire, someone down there has just got their home fire going and making a bit of a puther with it.

The path alongside the wall leads to this stile which we cross and then head over to the left for Great Howe.

To the left of us, in the top right corner, is Tarn Crag which we’ll go to later on in the walk. On the left is Buckbarrow Crag.

From Great Howe summit we can now see Grey Crag, that’s where we are going next.  We had a short drinks stop here and a look round at the views. They were a bit hazy to the south but quite good everywhere else.

From Great Howe it was just a case of following the path upwards until we got to the summit of Grey Crag over on the right. Tarn Crag is over on the left. This is where the gaiters come in handy, it can be a very wet area from now on.

The path from Sadgill is now far below us, and on the skyline, above Buckbarrow Crag, is Harter Fell. (The Mardale one)

Kentmere Pike in shade in the centre, with Harter Fell to its right.  A young lad in his 20’s came bounding past us somewhere along here so we exchanged a few words and off he went again. He was only wearing cycling type t-shirt and shorts and carrying a very small pack so not much weight to slow him down either.

We keep climbing until we reach this fence and then just follow it …….

….. until we reach the stile at the fence. Just above the stile on the skyline is Grey Crag summit.

As I crossed the stile and looked back I saw this old survey pillar just below the summit of Great Howe. We had meant to walk over to it while we were on Great Howe, but somehow forgot to do so, we were probably talking. Anyway I took a long zoom shot of it from the stile so its a bit grainy.

Still following the path up to Grey Crag but there’s not much further to go now.

At last the summit cairn comes into view and so did a lot of dark cloud. and that was just about it for the sunshine for the rest of the walk. It didn’t feel like the same day we had started off in back down at Sadgill. Still the large grey clouds did not dispense any of their water content over us so that was a bonus at least.

Grey Crag summit.

Looking eastwards across the Shap fells from the summit.

Now looking westwards.

Harrop Pike is just over there, so we might as well go across seeing as its so near.  Its only a short detour, although it is quite a boggy route over, but worth it for the splendid cairn to be found there.

One more hump to climb before we reach Harrop Pike.

Harrop Pike’s rather splendid summit cairn.

The leaning tower of Harrop Pike. Notice the long sleeved layer is back on now that the sun has retreated behind the thickening cloud.

Making our way to Tarn Crag, the long ridge on the right skyline. This is another very wet area.

A look back to Grey Crag and the soggy area in between. We made it across without getting our boots full.

Tarn Crag summit cairn and the old survey pillar. We had a refreshment stop on Tarn Crag and by now we had our windproofs back on again, I even ate my sandwiches wearing my gloves, my hands get cold very quickly so I try to prevent it happening.

The pillar has been there since the 1930’s, so its not surprising that vegetation is taking it over.

Its cold and windy now on Tarn Crag.

We didn’t linger long on Tarn Crag as it was now quite chilly and a wind had got up, so we decided to make a move and get back down just in case it started to rain. As we descend from Tarn Crag we have a view of Harter Fell on the left, and Branstree on the right. The two fells on the skyline in the middle are Kidsty Pike and High Raise. The path running up Harter Fell is the one coming up from Sadgill.

A close up of Harter Fell with the Wrengill quarries on the left.

Over there is Mosedale Cottage, once inhabited but now used by walkers as a bothy. Its a remote place.

We’re approaching the peat hags in the depression between Tarn Crag and Branstree opposite us. Another very wet area.

As we descend alongside the fence, over to our right is the remote, isolated valley of Mosedale where the bothy, shown in a previous picture, is situated. When we reach the depression, just in shot over to the right, we’ll turn left and head down to Brownhowe Bottom.

A close up of Wrengill Quarries below Harter Fell, a red tractor, carrying some logs, moving along the path.

We’re now down at Brownhowe Bottom, but that’s not the same tractor as in the previous picture, and there was no sign of any driver for it.

From Brownhowe Bottom we join the path down Longsleddale back to Sadgill. In this view the path continues on up to Harter Fell. As we reached this point, and were in the process of removing our gaiters, the young lad we had met on Grey Crag came bounding down the path from the direction of Harter Fell. We guessed he must have gone the same route as us as far as Tarn Crag and then gone up Branstree and Harter Fell from there on. He was still full of chat and energy and once again he stopped for a few word before bounding back down into Longsleddale.

We had a leisurely stroll down Longsleddale, stopping from time to time to look over walls at the waterfalls in the gill.

The long walk back down Longsleddale to Sadgill.

The River Sprint meandering alongside the path as we make our way along the valley.

That is one very big piece of beef, he was so huge he could barely walk.

You can provide your own caption if you wish, I’m making no comment!

Back at Sadgill where 6 more cars were parked up so there were other walkers somewhere around. A couple eventually came down the track but didn’t get into any of the cars, and they were followed by a man who did own one of the cars. He was still changing his boots as we drove off. Apart from these, and the bounding young lad, the only other people we saw all day was another couple who were coming onto Tarn Crag just as we were leaving it. The holiday season is well and truly over it would seem.

A last look up Longsleddale now that we’re back at Sadgill. The day started nicely enough so it was a bit of a disappointment when the dark clouds came over. However it didn’t rain and that’s always a bonus.

 

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Walk Date – 13th September 2015

Distance – 5.8 miles

Weather – cloudy and dull at first, sunnier later.

 

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Route

Rydal Water on a rather grey morning.

A close up of the Canada Geese on Rydal Water.

Nab Scar across Rydal Water.

All is quiet on Rydal Water this morning.

Shades of silver on Grasmere below Silver How.

Lots of cloud activity and changes of light this morning. This is looking northwards over Grasmere.

Looking down at the weir at the bottom of Grasmere from the terrace path on Loughrigg Fell.

A close up of the weir, lots of people around this morning but nobody, except dogs, swimming today.

Looking at Steel Fell and Seat Sandal on either side of Dunmail Raise (the U shaped notch in the centre) and noticing that the cloud seems to be lifting, or is that just wishful thinking.

Zooming in to show Dunmail Raise with Lonscale Fell on the centre horizon.

Looking back down the path we are taking up to the summit of Loughrigg.

The trig point is just ahead of us so just a short way to go now.

From the summit a view down to Elterwater and a rather hazy view of Wetherlam behind it.

Lingmoor Fell in the centre, Crinkle Crags behind it and a cloud capped Bowfell over on the far right.

Beyond Silver How the cloud is still clinging on to the higher fells.

Crinkle Crags are now mostly cloud free.

On Loughrigg summit with a view northwards. Blue sky is definitely starting to appear.

Straight in front is Heron Pike which leads down to Nab Scar on the right. These two are part of what is known as ‘The Fairfield Horseshoe’. The other fells in the horseshoe are behind them.

On the skyline the ridge runs down from Dove Crag to High Pike and then on to Low Pike.

Running diagonally across the shot is Red Screes, the summit is over on the left.

Beyond the lower end of the Red Screes ridge there is a view of Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke over on the horizon. Those three form part of ‘The Kentmere Horseshoe’.

That’s Wetherlam over there and the sky is definitely getting brighter. It was covered in cloud a few shots ago.

Down there is Ambleside and beyond it is Wansfell.

All of a sudden its turned into a different day as the fells become clearer in the sunshine.

The fell in the centre with the peak in the shade is Great Rigg and its long sloping ridge down to Stone Arthur.

The Langdale Pikes in close up, they look quite formidable don’t they?

I zoomed out a little to show the pikes and their surroundings.

Looking towards Dunmail Raise again, Helm Crag to the left of it with Steel Fell behind that.

The fells beyond Grasmere.

A close up of the mighty Bowfell.

A look back at the summit of Loughrigg as we leave.

Looking over at the now very clear view of Crinkle Crags on the left and Bowfell on the right.

Sunny Crinkle Crags in close up.

Continuing along one of the many paths on Loughrigg. You could spend a whole day on Loughrigg as there’s lots to explore up here.

Another look back at the summit, that’s it smack in the centre of the skyline.

One of the vantage points gives a grand view of Loughrigg Tarn, a popular spot although it doesn’t look like it today.

Hmm, this could be one of those occasions where a fifth point of contact might be needed!

From here you have a view of almost the whole of The Fairfield Horseshoe.

Red Screes in close up.

The Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike section of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Sunlight dappling the ridge of Red Screes in the middle foreground.

The fell with the curved shape on the centre skyline is Hart Crag which leads on to Fairfield, on the left. Fairfield stands at the head of the Horseshoe, so you’re roughly at the the mid-point when you get to it whichever end you started from.

Just one of the many little pools and tarns to be found on Loughrigg. This one is quite close to Lily Tarn.

The aforementioned Lily Tarn.

Lily Tarn from the other side. Its a lovely quiet little spot. I waited a while for the cloud to move over but it refused to do so, it made for some interesting reflections though.

Making our way down towards Brow Head Farm. Work on the Rydal Beck hydro-electric scheme continues, that’s the white scar in the fields to the right. (Update – work is now finished and it was officially opened on 20th October 2015)

A splendid view of Windermere as we continue our descent.

The blue of those hydrangeas caught my eye as we walked along.

The gates of Fox How.

Those gates had intrigued me so I did a little research. This old postcard shows the house that the gates are the entrance to. I didn’t see the house at the time so it must have been hidden in the trees. The man who built Fox How, Dr Thomas Arnold, the famed headmaster of Rugby School. was encouraged by William Wordsworth, to buy land and build a holiday home near Ambleside. The house was completed in 1833. A grand-daughter of Dr Arnold described the house as ‘a modest building, with ten bedrooms and three sitting rooms’. Wonder what she thought large was?

We ended our walk with a very pleasant stroll in very warm sunshine beside the River Rothay back to Pelter Bridge, so it was definitely a day of two halves as far as the weather was concerned. Shame it wasn’t like this from the start, it would have made such a difference to the photos.

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Walk Date – 10th September 2015

Distance – 9.5 miles

Weather – sunny and dry but very windy

 

Another dry and sunny and dry day was promised although there would be a bit of a breezy south-easterly wind according to the weather presenter. It was a rather more than a breeze, it was a very strong wind which battered us all day, apart from the few occasions when we were sheltered by bits of higher ground here and there.

We parked at Braithwaite, just outside Keswick, and took the path along Coledale which leads to the Force Crag Mine. Its a good wide path all the way to the mine as it provides vehicle access to it, so the beginning of the walk gives the legs a chance to warm up before tackling the steeper route beyond the mine.

 

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Route

Looking into Coledale from the path to Force Crag Mine. The distinctive top of Causey Pike is on the centre skyline behind Barrow.

As we follow the main path we get a better view of the Coledale fells. The flattish topped one in partial shade in the centre is Outerside, the rounded hump of Sail is to the right of it, and the next one along is Crag Hill.

The path we will be following can be seen in the centre alongside Pudding Beck. It will eventually lead us to the grassy col over on the far right of the photo.

With Crag Hill directly in front of us we begin to see the upward route more clearly as the path snakes across the fell side.

Handy stepping stones across Pudding Beck. I don’t know what its got to do with puddings but isn’t it a great name?

From the other side of the beck I take a look back at the old buildings of the Force Crag Mine. We’ll take a closer look at them on our return leg,

We follow the rising path up to Coledale Hause and take a look down at the Vertical Flow Pools which are being used to filter out harmful minerals from the beck water.

As we get higher we see the familiar view of Hobcarton End and Grisedale Pike.

The long and winding road. The thin white line in the centre is what we’ve walked along to reach this point. Its a very long path.

At Coledale Hause we stop and have a look back down Coledale, its a nice day but there is a lot of haze around, difficult to get good pictures on a day like today. Somewhere around this point we met the first two walkers of the day, just a couple of chaps about to descend into Coledale with whom we exchanged greetings and the usual comments about the good weather before we went our separate ways.

From the Hause we follow the path around and looking back we have a view of Sand Hill on the left, Hobcarton End in the middle and Grisedale Pike over on the right.

Looking the other way we still have Sand Hill, now on the right, and the ridge from Hopegill Head over to Whiteside on the far left.

We left the path to climb the grassy slopes of Grasmoor. This shot is looking back across to Grisedale Pike.

Over on the left of the skyline is Grasmoor, that’s where we’re heading for now using the path you can see in the foreground. As usual this eventually petered out amidst the grass and so we just kept walking uphill until we reached the summit area. As soon as we had some height we were able to look back down and located another path which started by the beck at the top of Gasgale Gill. Next time we go up there we’ll try that path too.

After climbing the grassy slopes we reach the grassy plateau of Grasmoor, there’s a lot of grass in this photo and in the caption. We have a bit more walking to do before we reach the summit area at the western end of the fell. All the significant uphill walking is behind us now and this would have been an enjoyable stroll but for the wind. Being on the exposed top of the highest fell in the area meant that there was no shelter from it so we had to put up with the battering all the time we were up here.

There were lots of people at the summit shelter so we walked over to the western viewpoint to take a look at Loweswater, with Carling Knott and Burnbank Fell rising from it on the left.

Mellbreak across Crummock Water from Grasmoor top.

In front of us is the ridge to Whiteless Pike, and beyond that nothing much is really visible. Apparently it was all down to the southerly wind which was blowing strongly and carrying sand particles from the eastern Mediterranean area, where a huge sandstorm was taking place.

The summit area was still crowded so we parked ourselves here for lunch. Out of the wind and a good view of Gasgale Crags, just a bit spiky under the derriere even with a sit mat.

After lunch we went back to the summit and had another look around. Below us is Rannerdale Knotts, the water to the right of it is Crummock Water, and the one to the left is Buttermere. Although it was sunny the conditions were not good for photos.

The summit shelter on Grasmere, empty now that the lunch time diners have moved on so a chance for a quick shot, as other walkers were already approaching.

A look back at the summit shelter. Despite the wind there were plenty of people walking on Grasmoor and other nearby fells. I noticed one woman in the shortest of shorts and couldn’t help wondering if she was wishing she’d opted for long trousers. I was wearing three top layers and long trousers and I was still cold. My fingers were numb after taking the photos, so she must have been very cold in those shorts.

Sunlight catches Buttermere just behind Whiteless Pike.

We’re still plodding across Gramoor’s plateau and making our way towards Wandope, over to the right behind the scree slope. Wouldn’t want to try that scree, up or down.

Walking along the Grasmoor path in the sunshine, but we could have done without the strong wind buffeting us constantly.

The Wandope to Whiteless Pike ridge, not on our agenda today, which is just as well as its probably not the most enjoyable thing to do in a strong wind.

Almost down from Grasmoor, so its straight ahead for Crag Hill, over to the right for Wandope. The man in red on the left was flat out on the grass and having a nap on the grass when we reached him.

Crossing over to Wandope there’s a good view of Crag Hill and Sail. Just below is the darkish peak of Ard Crags.

A better view of Ard Crags and the ridge leading over to Knott Rigg.

Crag Hill, that’s not on our agenda today either.

Over there is Grasmoor and the path we came down.

On Wandope summit with Crag Hill and Sail behind, and a hair makeover courtesy of the wind.

Another hair makeover, I can’t see a thing here what with the hair and the sun.

Leaving Wandope with Grasmoor to the left, Crag Hill to the right, and Grisedale Pike in the centre.

We’re almost back down at Coledale Hause, so I took a quick shot over to the crags leading up to Grasmoor.

Taken from the same spot but now its a view of Gasgale Crags, at the left end of which is Whiteside.

Now its all the way back down the same path through Coledale, the car is parked round the corner at the end of that long thin line on the left.

Just follow the yellow brick road, or in this case the white rocky one, and you’ll end up in Braithwaite.

The sun now behind us so its a better view than this morning of Outerside, Causey Pike, Scar Crags and Sail.

A short stop for drinks beside Pudding Beck with a view of the tops of Outerside and Causey Pike.

Force Crag Mine and its filter pools as we make our way down alongside Pudding Beck.

Looks inviting on a hot afternoon but you wouldn’t want to go in, lots of warnings about the minerals in the water.

Now you know all about filter pools …..

….. and Force Crag Mine …..

….. and what the National Trust has to say.

‘Education, Education, Education,’ as some politician once said, so bone up on it as there’ll be a test next week.

The old mine buildings.

After our visit to the mine and the geology/chemistry lesson we head back down the path to Braithwaite, with a view of Blencathra for company all the way down. An enjoyable and interesting walk but it would have been so much better without being battered by the wind all day.

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Walk Date – 7th September 2015

Distance – 3 miles

Weather – dry, warm and sunny

 

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Route

From Stonethwaite looking towards Grange Fell and Kings How on the right.

Rosthwaite Fell from Borrowdale churchyard.

Just around the corner from the church and we pick up the path for Rosthwaite Fell. Base Brown on the left.

The sun is blazing down on us and already its a very hot morning. Its lovely to have the sunshine but from here its all uphill so it’ll be hard work once it becomes really steep, which it does.

The view to the right from the path, not a cloud in the sky.

Over on the left is Thornythwaite Fell and on the right is Base Brown.

Looking over to High Scawdel.

Walking in the shade for a while as the sun still hadn’t risen above Rosthwaite Fell. Here is the view down the valley to the distant Skiddaw range in the middle of the shot.

A close up of the old mill cottage alongside Combe Beck, we’ll visit that on the way back.

As we gain height Grey Knotts appears over on the left skyline, on the far right the rocky peak of Fleetwith Pike.

A close up of Fleetwith Pike.

Another close up of Grey Knotts on the left skyline, the tree clad slopes of Seatoller Fell on the right.

As the climb gets steeper the views get better and we get hotter. Skiddaw the most prominent peak on the skyline.

The rounded summit of Dale Head beyond High Scawdel.

A longer view of Dale Head with its own little cloud above it.

Left to right on the skyline we have Grey Knotts, Fleetwith Pike and Dale Head.

Still climbing steeply, the sun is directly in our faces and its hard to see where we are going. Getting up here is very warm work and there’s not a trace of a breeze.

The view upwards, it doesn’t look all that steep but the legs tell a different story.

A shot of Combe Head from the climb, any excuse for a breather.

Brandreth and Grey Knotts on the left skyline and the rocky outcrops of Thornythwaite Fell in the foreground.

Combe Head again. No choice but to shoot against the sun and hope for the best.

Here we are at the Tarn at Leaves, very reedy but still plenty of water in it.

That’s the summit of Rosthwaite Fell, known as Bessyboot. Before we go up there its time for a lunch break.

Tarn at Leaves from our lunch spot. The sun is directly on us, there’s no wind, no noise, and nobody, absolutely great.

Another view from our lunch spot, looking over Langstrath towards Ullscarf.

Its a great place for lunch on a day like today and it was a real effort to get up and leave …..

….. but continue we did and started up to the summit, fabulous views in all directions.

Dale Head again with Crag Hill and Sail peeping up on the middle skyline. To the right of them is High Spy and Maiden Moor.

Here’s the summit, Bessyboot, shooting it against the sun to get the craggy view.

From Bessyboot a look down at Tarn at Leaves. The summit of Glaramara can just be seen on the right.

A closer look at the tarn, the reedy areas are gradually increasing.

On the left Great Gable towers over Green Gable just below it. The third one down is Base Brown with Thornythwaite Fell in front of that.

Fleetwith Pike looking imposing as ever with High Crag and High Stile behind it to the left.

You get a lot of reward for all the effort, here we have the Dodds on the horizon, just below is the High Tove ridge, below that and resplendent in purple heather is Great Crag.

Looking north to the cloud building over the heather covered Skiddaw fells with Keswick below them.

On the left is Dale Head with Crag Hill and Sail over on the right. Lots more cloud now than this morning.

Bessyboot summit.

Looking northwards from Bessyboot, what a cracking day. Typically, the new school term started today after the summer holidays, during which the weather was not as pleasant as this.

Looking north east and over on the right skyline is Blencathra with Bleaberry Fell and High Seat just below it.

Oh go on then, just one more shot of Tarn at Leaves, plus a better view of Pike O’Stickle over on the right.

Much quicker getting down than going up and in no time at all we are back at the sheepfold alongside Combe Beck.

Almost at the end of the walk so we had a look round the old mill cottage alongside Combe Gill. This is the cottage pictured just after we started the walk.

Information board on the lintel above the door of the mill cottage. Very small so it would be easy to miss.

The front of the mill cottage.

The Old Mill Cottage, an old millstone being used as a step on the path.

At the rear of the cottage is the mill wheel, a gill crossing over mossy boulders will be needed if you want this shot of it.

This is the view you get if you don’t fancy crossing the gill.

This was to be the last photo as we were almost back to Borrowdale Church, however …..

….. the smell of freshly cut grass came drifting across and then the view of the tractor cutting it …..

…… so I waited until it came round to get a shot of the tractor. The green and yellow livery indicating that its a John Deere make, and that, dear reader, is the sum total of my tractor knowledge.

Finally, as Eagle Crag wasn’t standing out so well this morning I waited until we were back at the car to take the last shot of the walk.

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Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side and Dodd

 

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Walk Date – 5th September 2015

Distance – 6.5 miles

Weather – clear, dry, sunny with a cold north wind

 

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Route

We go round the gate from the parking area to begin the walk up to Ullock Pike.

A steep and rather gloomy forest path to walk up before we are out on to the open fell side.

Out into the open again and a view across Bass Lake towards Barf and Lord’s Seat.

The high point on the skyline is Grisedale Pike, left of that is Crag Hill then Sail and then Scar Crags.

Across Bass Lake is Sale Fell and to the left of it is Ling Fell.

A panorama of fells across Bass Lake.

It was such a clear morning we could see the Solway Firth and the mountains beyond it. The clarity of the air came courtesy of the cold north wind blowing down from the Arctic, brrr.

On the ridge path to Ullock Pike and a look back at the view behind us.

From the ridge looking north west towards Great Cockup. The wind was very strong across here and it was a bit of a struggle to stay upright.

The fell all by itself over there in the centre is Binsey.

Here’s where we are heading, the dark pointed peak of Ullock Pike.

With the sun obscured there’s a chance to take a shot along Southerndale and the fells around it.

Struggling against the strong north wind and the glare of the sun as we continued the climb up Ullock Pike. In today’s conditions it was very difficult to see where we were going as our eyes were constantly watering thanks to the wind and being dazzled by the sun.

Higher up the path now and we can see more of Bass Lake.

Every fell was individually identifiable today as we looked across the flood plain of Bass Lake.

Almost at the top of Ullock Pike now with the summit of Long Side the next one along.

 Looking across Southerndale to the great bulk of Skiddaw on the left with Long Side over on the right.

From the summit cairn on Ullock Pike a view of Derwentwater and the surrounding fells.

On Ullock Pike.

Leaving Ullock Pike and making for the summit of Longside. It isn’t as steep as the path would make it seem. Lovely walking in warm sun and there’s no wind now that we are in the lee of Skiddaw.

Layers of fells and far too many to name, apart from the tree covered one at the bottom left which is Dodd.

From Longside Edge there is this impressive view of Skiddaw, it really is a great hulk of a mountain.

The summit cairn of Long Side with Skiddaw behind it, and Skiddaw Little Man over on the far right skyline.

From Long Side summit a look across to the north western end of Skiddaw.

On Long Side with Skiddaw behind.

Looking down Southerndale as we continue on to Carl Side.

Looking back at our route along the ridge.

Carl Side Tarn with the wind rippling its surface.

Carl Side summit with Long Side behind.

Layers of fells again from Carl Side summit.

Derwentwater in close up.

A panorama of fells in view as we descend Carl Side.

Descending Carl Side through heather in full bloom, the scent was just lovely.

Purple heather everywhere, set against the blue of the lake and the sky, and the greenery on Dodd.

Nearly down to Long Doors where we will cross over to climb to the top of Dodd.

We stopped at the first seat we came to on Dodd and had lunch with this as our view.

On our left is part of the path we used to descend Carl Side. Heather in bloom all over the fell sides.

Behind us is part of Carl Side, to the right, and on the skyline is Long Side.

After lunch we continue on up to Dodd summit. On the skyline behind us are the Dodds and the Helvellyn range.

The little pimple on the right skyline above Derwentwater is Pike O’Stickle, its not a little pimple when you are standing below it though.

Looking up at the summit of Dodd.

Looking over to Carl Side from Dodd summit.

I just about managed to get the whole of Bass Lake into the shot.

Looking over to Ullock Pike and Long Side from Dodd summit.

The flood plain of Bass Lake.

Its time to leave Dodd so straight down the front we go.

Believe it or not this is actually a path, overgrown doesn’t begin to describe it. People had walked it before us as we kept coming across discarded clothing on the way down, trainers, jogging pants, jacket, all soaking wet and muddy. We did begin to be a bit concerned about what else we might find but nothing else turned up. This wasn’t the path we were intending to take, we turned right just a little too soon, the one we really wanted was further down the ridge.

Looking very bedraggled we emerged on to a forestry trail, which, a little further down, gave us this view of Bass Lake through the trees.

Down from Dodd and crossing the bridge just above the Old Sawmill Tea Rooms.

The footbridge over Sandbeds Gill is just a few yards from the car park so here we finish our walk, which, apart from the unscheduled detour into the tangled forest, was extremely enjoyable.

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Walk Date – 30th August 2015

Distance – 7.4 miles

Weather – cloudy but not cold, no wind, no rain, no sun

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Route

Bridgend – Deepdale – Deepdale Hause – Cofa Pike – Fairfield – Link Cove – Hart Crag – Hartsop above How – Bridgend

Cloud drifting over Place Fell as we get ready to start the walk.

Walking down the lane from Deepdale Bridge to make our way into Deepdale.

Over to our right is Arnison Crag. The sheep in the bottom left of the shot isn’t dead, its just fast asleep.

At the end of the lane we take a left turn onto the farm track and enter Deepdale, with the long ridge of Hartsop above How over on the left.

Further along and there’s a path junction, take the left path for the farm or the right path for the route into Deepdale.

We took the right hand path which passed above Wall End farm.

Looking up at Latterhaw Crag and Lord’s Seat, and peeping behind them over on the right, is Saint Sunday Crag .

Looking back down the path there’s a good view of Angletarn Pikes over on the right skyline.

The bulk of Greenhow End in, the centre, with cloud covering Hart Crag and Cofa Pike on either side of it. I’m hoping the cloud has gone by the time we get up there.

Further along into Deepdale and over on the right Cofa Pike is becoming a little clearer as the cloud thins a little. It was very wet underfoot along the valley today.

Looking back down the valley with Angletarn Pikes still clear of cloud.

These cattle had added their own contributions to the path, it was everywhere.

The moraines of Mossydale, sounds like a sitcom title.

Greenhow End and some fellow travellers beyond the pool. Apart from the animals and ourselves there was no-one else around.

Some of Hart Crag appears over on the left of Greenhow End. Our route will take us up alongside the beck you can see over on the right.

Now we have to climb the steep bit alongside the ravine to reach Sleet Cove.

A view of the ridge of Hartsop above How as we look back into the aptly named Mossydale.

Making our way up towards the steeper section alongside the beck.

One of the many waterfalls in the beck.

On the skyline straight across from us is Blake Brow.

Still climbing alongside the ravine and we came upon this little cascade sliding its way down to the beck below.

We’re above the ravine now, making our way into Sleet Cove and heading for the Hause, that’s the ridge line in the centre.

It seems to be getting brighter but that cloud still keeps rolling in and out.

More imposing crags across the valley, cloud still swirling over and around them too.

At last, a clear view of Cofa Pike, that’s where we’re heading but its still a bit of a way off.

Sheepfold in Sleet Cove.

Sleet Cove and the ridge line of Deepdale Hause is getting closer.

We are almost at the Hause and we pause to take in the view of Deepdale. Around this point we met the first walkers of the day, a young couple about to descend into Deepdale from the Hause. After checking the route with us off they went, the young lad fairly bounding down, the young girl taking things much more carefully, good for her.

Saint Sunday Crag as we reach Deepdale Hause, from this point it is 3 miles back to the car.

Time for a bit of a breather now we’re at the Hause so we had a look around. Looking west from left to right, are Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn with the Striding Edge ridge going off to the right of the shot.

At the Hause we turn left and begin to deal with the ascent up Cofa Pike, its not nearly as intimidating as it looks once you are on it. There’s a trodden route for the most part, although it can disappear now and then across rocky patches.That doesn’t present too much of a problem though if you just keep aiming for the next green patch and avoid straying too far over to the left. Its possible to omit the summit altogether by following a path which curves around it over to the right.

Grisedale Tarn from the ascent of Cofa Pike with Seat Sandal behind it.

Our second encounter of the day as we ascend Cofa Pike. From their accents we guessed they were from one of the eastern European countries, but it was hard to make out which one.

Saint Sunday Crag from the ascent of Cofa Pike.

Also from the ascent of Cofa Pike a look across Grisedale to the Helvellyn range.

Seat Sandal is now hidden by cloud, but Grisedale tarn is still showing as we continue to climb Cofa Pike.

The cairn on top of Cofa Pike. Cloud is still swirling around and blocking the views of the crags beyond Cofa Pike. That’s a bit of a nuisance as I would have liked a few shots of them, oh well, better luck next time I suppose.

Moving down from Cofa Pike, so now its over the little rock outcrop and then on up to Fairfield which is now clear of cloud.

Looking back at Cofa Pike and Saint Sunday Crag. The path avoiding the summit of Cofa Pike now showing on the left of the shot.

The last little outcrop with Cofa Pike behind it, and Saint Sunday Crag behind that. Getting across the outcrop isn’t difficult and its fine if you have long legs, those of us who are rather shorter in the leg department find the larger rocks on the top are rather awkwardly placed. This can lead to some unbecoming postures for the clamberer and merriment for onlookers.

Up on the top of Fairfield which was busy with lots of ‘Fairfield Horseshoe’ walkers.

A look back at Cofa Pike, now with some more walkers on its summit.

Looking down Deepdale from Fairfield. Alas, the cloud thickened again so no more photos for a good while.

We walked off Fairfield in thick cloud with visibility down to just a few yards and began to make our way over to Hart Crag.

Cloud was constantly coming and going so photos were limited to what was just in front of us, in this case the rocky area over Link Hause, as we headed for Hart Crag.

The western side of a cloudy Fairfield Horseshoe, showing Heron Pike, Great Rigg and Fairfield.

Windermere appears as the cloud lifts a little.

Finally we are now out of the cloud and the way is clear to Hart Crag.

That’s more like it, now we can see the Coniston fells over on the skyline.

From Hart Crag looking back over to Fairfield from where we have just walked. People still arriving at the summit.

Hart Crag summit and the fells to the east.

Looking over to Saint Sunday Crag from Hart Crag.

Looking east from Hart Crag with Place Fell on the left being the most distinctive. Other walkers below us gingerly picking their way through the rocks as they make their descent.

Still looking eastward from Hart Crag summit.

Looking north-eastwards from Hart Crag. Ullswater can be seen just behind the cairn, and over in the distance on the right is Haweswater.

The darkish, flat topped fell over on the right skyline is Red Screes.

Saint Sunday Crag across Deepdale.

That’s where we’re heading next, the long, long ridge down Hartsop above How.

Looking over at the eastern fells and contemplating the descent route off Hart Crag.

Descending from Hart Crag and a view of Dove Crag across Dovedale.

Looking back at the descent route from Hart Crag.

A large group of very loud and talkative teenagers making their way down too. They caught up with us a little lower down when we stopped for a drinks break. How the group leaders put up with one of the boys was beyond me as his very loud and raucous behaviour bordered on insolent. He persisted in asking quite ridiculous questions and seemed intent provoking them and trying to create some sort of reaction. He failed, though how they kept their patience I don’t know, mine had dissipated well before they reached us.

Another look back at Hart Crag on the left with Scrubby Crag over on the right.

The summit cairn on Hartsop above How where we stopped for drinks. We didn’t really need drinks but we were both heartily sick of the loud behaviour of the lad in the group behind us. We downed packs and stopped here long enough for them to get a good distance ahead of us and out of earshot.

Looking acrross Dovedale to Red Screes and the ridge which descends down to Middle Dodd.

Another view across to the eastern fells with High Street on the skyline.

Still at the cairn and looking down at the rest of the Hartsop above How ridge.

Looking over into Dovedale and Dove Crag at the head of it.

On we go, making our way through the soggy, boggy mess along Hartsop above How.

Looking back at some of where we’ve been, from left to right is Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Cofa Pike and Deepdale Hause.

Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes, always in view as the valley bottom starts to appear at last. Unfortunately we caught up with the noisy lad and the rest of his group somewhere back along the ridge and so had to go through the pain of it all over again. Mercifully they stopped for some reason so we quickened our pace and managed to leave them behind, permanently this time, hallelujah!

There’s no mistaking these two fells as you make your way along here.

Over to the left is Birks on the left skyline, with Arnison Crag over on the far right of the photo.

Arnison Crag on the left, Place Fell on the right, and with soft grass underfoot, the going just got a bit easier.

In the centre is Hartsop Dodd, to its right is Caudale Moor, and to its left is Gray Crag.

The stile is in view and there’s not a lot further to go now.

The end of the walk is a stroll in the park, quite literally, and the car is parked just around the corner behind the white house. A cup of tea would be most welcome right now but there isn’t one handy so we’ll have to go home and make one ourselves.

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Walk Date – 23rd August 2015

Distance – 7.8 miles

Weather – dry, sunny and warm

 

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Route

The Britannia Inn, deserted except for the man sweeping the patio area. It’ll be crowded by the time we get back here.

Along the path beside Great Langdale beck, the beck was full and fairly racing along.

When we reached the lake we came across two swans doing some early morning preening. The one on the left was especially meticulous and we had to wait a while before I could get a shot with both heads visible.

Then when the heads were finally up, the one on the left then decided to keep its left leg out of the water …..

Off it went, paddling with the right foot and keeping the left one well clear of the water, very strange …..

Looking across Elterwater to the Langdale Pikes. Its a fabulous morning, a slight breeze ruffling the water and the sun beating down, what a welcome change.

A close up of the Langdale Pikes across Elterwater.

The little tree covered ‘island’ in Elterwater. Its not really an island, just part of the land which juts out into the water.

Peace and quiet at Elterwater.

Not a lot of peace and quiet at Skelwith Force though, the water roared down and the spray flew everywhere. It seemed as though the water just couldn’t get down fast enough.

Risking life and limb to bring you more spectacular pictures. I scrambled down to the little viewing platform for a better view of the falls. There were plenty of people standing at the top but that only gave the view in the previous photo. I was the only idiot who ventured down to begin with, once I’d done it more idiots followed.

Safely back on the path we return to the Woodburn footbridge to continue the walk.

Our route took us along the other side of Skelwith Force for a different view of the falls and the little viewing platform, the scene of my daring descent. It wasn’t all that daring really I’m just hyping it up a bit!

Passing by Park Cottage as we make our way to Colwith Force, our next watery encounter.

The old barn adjoining Park Cottage.

Time for a drinks stop and there’s a view over to Loughrigg on the right. Just behind it and a bit hazy are Heron Pike and then Great Rigg.

After our drinks stop we continued on the path and came to this inviting little tea garden …..

….. we should have waited and stopped here instead.

Through the woods and down the steps …..

….. across the lane and up the steps …..

….. through the woods again and there you are at Colwith Force. Last night’s downpour certainly added to the volume of water flowing over Colwith Force, not to mention the deafening noise it created. Why is water falling over rocks so fascinating …..

Another set of falls coming in from the side.

Approaching the farm at High Park, with a lunchtime influx of a large group of walkers at the cafe. This must have been a disappointing sight for the small group of walkers who were just ahead of us as I got the impression that they had been planning to have their lunch there too.

We walked down from Hodge Close to here where the track splits. Our route takes the middle path which the water had taken over, so it was a bit of a splashy walk down it.

Along the track is this stone stile which we crossed to go up to the Cathedral Cavern.

Safety notice outside the cavern entrance, you wonder why people have to be told that quarries can be dangerous places.

The long tunnel entrance to Cathedral Cavern. It looks like we’re about to be eaten up by that big mouth with the nose above it, but we’re not going to be put off by those kind of thoughts, what’s more we’ve got a head torch so that’s bound to scare away any monsters in there.

I really didn’t expect this shot to work, it was pitch black in here apart from the head torch’s feeble light, which is the brightish spot on the tunnel floor, and that was absolutely useless. I could see nothing in the viewfinder, so it was just a ‘hit and hope’ sort of shot. If only the camera’s flash could have been kept on while we were walking through.

We emerged out of the tunnel, blinking and dazzled, into the sunlight again where you are dwarfed by the immense height of the quarry. To the right of the fence is a huge gash where you look down into the cavern below.

This is the view when you look through the opening, this huge column from floor to roof inside the cavern below. The very bright sunshine was bleaching the colour from everything so this was the best shot I could manage.

More rock strata to wonder at all around the quarry walls ……

Another small tunnel, too small and too wet to even think about entering.

The upper opening into Cathedral Cavern. Below are a couple of shots from the floor of the cavern …..

The rock pillar in Cathedral Cavern.

The short tunnel exit from the cavern, torch not needed for this tunnel.

A brief history of the Langdale Quarries.

From the Cathedral Cavern its just a short walk to the ever popular Slater’s Bridge, dozens of people here today so I had to wait for a quieter moment. Why do dogs wander over just as you take the shot?

Lingmoor Fell from Slater’s Bridge.

Little Langdale Tarn.

Little Langdale Tarn with Blake Rigg, the dark fell in the centre, behind it.

Looking across Little Langdale Tarn to Wetherlam on the left skyline.

A final look at Little Langdale Tarn, its a lovely peaceful place.

A close up of the Langdale Pike from the Elterwater quarries.

We carry on to the Burlington quarries and have a look down into the quarrying area, the large orange digger down there adds scale and shows just how big the quarry is.

Another view of the quarry area.

The remains of a tree on the edge of the quarry caught my attention.

Back to Elterwater for a last close up of the Langdale Pikes, the sun and blue sky have been replaced by cloud, and its time to go home. Its been a great little walk though, full of variety and interest, thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

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Walk Date – 16th August 2015

Distance – 5.5 miles

Weather – overcast, strong cold wind, showery

 

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Route

Setting off along the Cumbria Way in sunshine, its looking a bit darker towards Skiddaw though.

The heather is in bloom and the River Caldew is busy splashing along its course.

The further along we go the darker the skies become and the Skiddaw range is looking murkier.

Nearing the old barn and sheepfold and the first spot of rain lands on the camera lens, its not looking quite so pleasant now.

A close up of the old barn.

Zooming out to show the barn and its sheepfold.

We looked out for the ‘lone pine’ that AW mentioned and here it is, just alongside the path. Waterproof jackets were donned at this point but weren’t needed for too long.

Another ruined sheepfold and in the background with the large patch of bracken on it is Mungrisedale Common.

On the left skyline is Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw Little Man in the centre, and Skiddaw on the far right.

On maximum zoom to get a close up of Skiddaw House. If you zoom in on the centre of the previous photo you can just about make this out. Built around 1829 by the Earl of Egremont as a ‘keeper’s house’, a base for grouse shooting and for gamekeepers who managed the extensive lands owned by the Earl. Its had numerous owners since and these days it is a self catering hostel and camp site, run on Youth Hostel Association principles.

Over on the right is Great Calva, the only fell we will climb today.

A circular sheepfold alongside Wiley Gill.

There’s the sheepfold again, together with a bridge, a fence, a gate and a stile, there’s a lot of stuff around at Wiley Gill.

Taking a short break alongside Wiley Gill before we start up Great Calva.

Yes, up there. As you can see its a bit on the steep side, no major difficulties though and it was surprisingly dry today.

Taking a breather and a look back at High Pike over on the left skyline, and on the right the dark mass of Foule Crag which leads over to Blencathra.

There’s Blencathra and the cloud swirling around it, there won’t be much of a view from up there at the moment. The river we were walking alongside earlier is now way down below us.

On the summit of Great Calva, no views as we were enveloped in cloud, just a hint of Knott over on the left. Now to find a place to shelter from the cold wind, it was blowing a hooley up here.

More cloud building up on Blencathra.

Somewhere under that lot is the Skiddaw range of fells.

Only the western end of the Skiddaw range is visible at the moment.

Cloud everywhere and very windy, fairly sheltered behind the cairn though.

“Why don’t you zip on the bottom bits of your trousers?”

“I’ve left them in the car.”

It was very cold and very windy up here. My zip on trouser bottoms were in my rucksack so on they went, now its time to get my gloves on. You wouldn’t think it was August would you?

The cloud comes over us and rolls on toward the summit of Knott, the wind roaring as is funnelled the cloud through the valley.

Time to move back down, here we’re looking through the gloom at Lonscale Fell in the centre, as we go off path through the heather.

A spot of rain on the lens and the cloud is just about gone from Skiddaw.

Down to the valley path after a great tramp through the dry, springy heather. Nice and soft on the feet too. A misty Lonscale Fell in the background.

We’re back on the Cumbria Way path again with a view of High Pike as we make good progress along the path.

Back at Wiley Gill and the circular sheepfold again.

Taking a break here, Great Calva on the left, and bits of blue sky here and there.

Walking down the valley with a view of Carrock Fell all the way, the cloud is higher now but there’s no blue sky to be seen.

Back at the parking area, and before driving home we wander down to the ‘splash pool’ in the river. Its a very popular picnic and bathing spot, but you do need a better day than today. A young man to my left was just out of the water, his skin the colour of beetroot, must be cold in there then.

Just to the right of the pool the river tumbles into it over this slide of rocks.

There were plenty of people here today even in such grey and gloomy weather. The red skinned lad is now huddled into a track suit with the hood over his head, shivering, and sitting with his mates. None of them had been in the water.

Looking down at the river, sliding and splashing into the pool.

Further upstream, the Caldew squeezing its way downstream through the boulders.

Much calmer a little further upstream, its a lovely spot, its such a shame that the weather hasn’t been good enough for people to enjoy the place. It hasn’t been much of a summer so far, generally cloudy, cool and windy.

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Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick & Troutbeck Tongue

 

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Walk Date – 15th August 2015

Distance – 11.5 miles

Weather – cloudy, windy and cool

 

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Route

We set off from the parking area just below the church at Troutbeck, walk over the pedestrian bridge and then along the road up to the Garburn Road path.

Making our way up the Garburn Road.

A view over Troutbeck to Wansfell, with the dark mound of Troutbeck Tongue over on the far right.

Troutbeck Tongue, in the centre, will be the last summit of the day. But first we are heading for the ones covered in cloud on the right. It looks very dramatic and atmospheric over there at the moment.

There’s a lot of cloud action on the horizon, I hope it won’t stay around too long.

A view along the Troutbeck valley. Over on the right is Yoke which will be our first summit today.

My hopes take a nose dive as we climb higher up the Garburn Road, the weather gets greyer and windier and a rain shower hits Troutbeck Tongue.

On the left horizon and blanketed by the swirling cloud is Red Screes.

As we leave the Garburn Road and join the path up to Yoke we stop and look southwards. The weather is coming to us from there and its looking brighter.

The sun still hasn’t reached us as we head up the path towards Yoke and its very chilly.

We begin to wonder if that blue sky will ever reach us. On the skyline to the right the Coniston fells have some sunshine.

To the west of us Red Screes is getting some sun, we are still under the clouds.

At last, a spell of sunshine as we begin to see the summit of Yoke, but there’s still a way to go though.

Looking over to Windermere with Sour Howes and Sallows to the middle and left.

Over the wall to the east is Kentmere Pike, left on the skyline, leading down to Shipman Knotts on the right. There’s a lot of cloud activity going on over them too. Its interesting to watch but it does make things feel very chilly.

Still walking towards Yoke, with the summits of Ill Bell and Froswick peeping out behind the grassy slope.

A look back along the path for a view of Windermere with Wansfell over on the right.

On a windy and cold Yoke summit, Ill Bell just behind, with High Street on the centre skyline.

A short pit stop on Yoke and a chance to have a look at Ill Bell. I could have done with a bowl of hot soup at this point but as its supposed to be the middle of summer I’d only packed fruit juices and water.

Nan Bield Pass in the centre, Mardale Ill Bell over on the left and Harter Fell over on the right. Blimey, its very chilly up here now.

Yoke summit.

The Coniston fells enjoying some sunshine.

Looking west from Yoke and wishing that sunshine was over us.

Looking across the tarn on Yoke to a very grim looking Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts.

From Yoke we head off for Ill Bell, another patch of sunshine has landed on us, a bit of warmth at last, whoopee!

Down below us is Kentmere reservoir, towered over by Lingmell End on the left and Harter Fell on the right.

A great gash in the hillside opposite attracted my attention so I tried a close up of it.

Zooming out now and the gash is visible across the valley, just under the middle cloud shadow. Lots of spoil heaps by the quarries on the lower slopes.

Looking back to Yoke on the left with Windermere over on the right.

A closer look back at Yoke and the path we followed.

Under a dark cloud again at the first cairn on Ill Bell, here looking south to Windermere.

I took a couple of steps to the left for a different view of the cairn, Yoke and Windermere.

Looking up at the next two cairns, lots of cairn hoggers up here, eating lunch with all their belongings spread out around them.

The largest of the three cairns on Ill Bell, I hid the cairn hoggers behind the cairn.

Looking south from the largest cairn to the lowest one and on to Windermere. The cairn hoggers were just to the left of the nearest cairn.

The third cairn on Ill Bell, cairn hoggers sitting immediately to the right of the cairn so I had to miss out a bit of cairn to avoid them.

The cloud dappled fells of Froswick on the left, immediately behind is Thornthwaite Crag, in the centre is High Street, and on the right is Mardale Ill Bell.

Moving a little to the left, in the centre is Caudale Moor and its summit of Stony Cove Pike. Immediately below us is the ridge we’ll walk over to get up to Froswick.

From Ill Bell we set off for Froswick up the path to the right. On the skyline beyond is the Beacon, the summit of Thornthwaite Crag.

A look back at Ill Bell as we take the path over to Froswick.

On the path to Froswick.

The flat topped summit of Harter Fell across the valley.

Frozen on Froswick. The wind is blowing into my jacket, the hood was needed to keep my sun cap on, (what sun?) and my gloves would have been better on than in the rucksack. The shorts were definitely an error of judgement, although when we left home it was a better day than this.

Looking back to Ill Bell from Froswick.

Ill Bell again, this time looking down the Kentmere side of it.

The Kentmere reservoir and valley. On the left the gloom has lifted off Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts.

After our descent from Froswick we took a left turn off the path to head down into the Troutbeck valley. A little way down this path we stopped for lunch in a sunny spot with some shelter from the wind. From our lunch spot we had a good view of Thresthwaite Mouth, Going up the crags on the left leads to Stony Cove Pike. Continuing across to the right would lead you up to Thornthwaite Beacon.

A longer view from our lunch spot.

Also from our lunch spot, a view over to Red Screes on the left skyline.

After lunch we take the Scot Rake path down to Troutbeck Tongue, that’s the small hill down there in the centre. The Tongue has a beck on either side of it, over on the right is Trout Beck and on the left is Hagg Gill.

 Looking down at Trout Beck.

Descending by Scot Rake, a lovely path down to Troutbeck Tongue. Even after all that rain yesterday it wasn’t as soggy as I had thought it might be.

A look back up to Thresthwaite Mouth, which shows the steep climb to the right up Thornthwaite Crag.

We climbed up the back of Troutbeck Tongue and came across these structures. They are marked as cairns on the OS maps but cairns aren’t usually hollowed out and shaped like a bath. I’ve no idea what purpose they might have had originally.

This is a much smaller structure situated by the side of the previous one. To give you some idea of size only a small dog could curl up in here.

Just beyond the two previous ones was this scattering of stones, roughly circular in shape.

Looking back up the Troutbeck valley.

Running through the bracken on the hillside is the path, known as Scot Rake. we followed down from Froswick.

Approaching the cairn on Troutbeck Tongue with Windermere in the background. The cairn is a few yards south of the highest point but the views are better from here.

On Troutbeck Tongue, with Windermere over on the left and Wansfell to the right.

Red Screes on the skyline from Troutbeck Tongue cairn.

Looking northwards from Troutbeck Tongue.

Looking north-westwards from Troutbeck Tongue.

Looking northwards again as the sun made another brief appearance.

Looking back to Troutbeck Tongue from the superfluous (at present) stile in the valley. It’s used, when necessary, to carry an electrified fence wire across the field.

Ing Bridge looking less than charming. Large bags filled with gravel on both sides seemed to be there to support the bridge. Did they have to be such a garish yellow, why not use a colour which blends in with the surroundings?

The appearance of hazel nuts along the hedgerows, a small sign of the seasonal changes to come.

Looks like the blackberry harvest will be good this year.

Looking back up the valley as we head for the village of Troutbeck.

Reaching the end of Truss Lane.

Passing Limefitt Holiday Park as we make use of the new path which avoids walking on the busy A592.

One of the old wells in Troutbeck village.

Troutbeck Church, the clock telling us that its exactly seven hours since we left here this morning, and that its now time to head for home and get the kettle on.

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Walk Date – 8th August 2015

Distance – 6.2 miles

Weather – sunny at first, then cloudy with a nippy wind

 

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Route

From the lane where we parked in Stonethwaite, and over on the right is the high point of Grange Fell, we’ll be over there a little later. Sorry about the unsightly deer fencing but I couldn’t get the camera through the gaps in it.

Leaving the little hamlet of Stonethwaite.

The weather is looking promising, here I’m looking over the High Scawdel and High Spy area.

The path up Lingy End begins just by this sheepfold.

We turn off to the left to climb up Lingy End. The main path below us continues alongside Stonethwaite Beck, Eagle Crag is the dark craggy fell to the left of centre.

Up we go on the pitched path through woodland on Lingy End, with the following photos showing some more of the climb through the woods ……

Its beginning to look like we’re nearing the top.

We’re clear of the woods now and the view opens up. This is looking towards Seatoller and the fells of Grey Knotts, Fleetwith Pike and Dale Head.

The undulating top of Rosthwaite Fell, or Bessyboot as it is more often called.

For a while Greenup Edge and Eagle Crag were under a large grey cloud so the photo was an exercise in hope, not expectation.

Further up Lingy End is this ruined building, a bit of research revealed that its a shepherd’s bothy.

Willygrass Ghyll. Can you imagine what it must have been like building that wall up the side of it?

Another stile to deal with before we get to Dock Tarn.

Dock Tarn. Just as we reached the cloud came over so its doesn’t look as sparkly as it should. One of these days I’ll get a decent photo of this tarn.

This is the other end of the tarn. A hint of weak sunshine giving a bit of sparkle to the tarn, but you can see the grey clouds above it reflected in the water.

Leaving a gloomy looking Dock Tarn, it wouldn’t surprise me if the sun comes out when we’ve left it behind.

The shadow of the cloud extended well past the little hamlet of Watendlath and its tarn so everything looked a bit gloomy.

A bit of zoom to show High Raise, left of centre, on the skyline, and Pike O’Stickle just visible to the right. Cloud still over us but it looks nice and sunny over there.

A little patch of sunlight on Rosthwaite Fell with the dark mass of Glaramara just behind it.

Fells at the head of Borrowdale, the dark curved one is Great End, to its right is Great Gable, drop below that and its Green Gable, and below that is Base Brown.

Great Gable again on the extreme left, with Pillar on the extreme right.

We’re still under that big grey cloud, the fells to the south and west have sun, grrrr.

Looking over towards High Spy and Maiden Moor, also bathed in sunshine.

Still on Great Crag summit with Kings How, just above the trees towards the bottom right.

Looking across to Grange Fell and beyond that is Skiddaw. I am now heartily fed up with this large grey cloud hanging over us.

At least Watendlath tarn has a bit of brightness, unlike High Seat just above it.

Looking east towards the Dodds and the Helvellyn range from Great Crag summit.

The Dodds over on the left and the start of the Helvellyn range on the right.

Looking across to High Saddle and Ullscarf, I wish this cloud would shift, its taking all the colour from everything.

On the skyline, High Raise on the left and Pike O’Stickle on the right, below them the two dark masses of Eagle Crag and Sergeant’s Crag.

On Great Crag summit with Maiden Moor behind me, and in case you hadn’t noticed, the cloud returned and the jacket has had to go on.

We’ve walked down off Great Crag and are approaching Watendlath Tarn. On the way down we met a young couple with two very young children coming up. They asked us for directions to Stonethwaite which we gave them. When I noticed Mum was sockless and wearing flat, thin strapped sandals I pointed to my mud caked boots and mentioned the state of the path and that she might ruin her sandals and get very muddy feet. She didn’t seem in the least concerned about any of that though and off they went.

Two men in a boat concentrating on their fishing in Watendlath tarn.

Watendlath Tarn and Great Crag from near the bridge at Watendlath. The net across the outflow stops the fish doing a runner, or should that be a swimmer?

Watendlath bridge. Loads of people around here today, I was glad to leave, it was too busy.

On the right skyline is Great Crag where we have just spent what seemed like a lifetime under a great big grey cloud. Now its sunny over there, typical.

A view to the east from the path over to Grange Fell. High Saddle on the right skyline.

Time to leave the Puddingstone Bank path and head over the squelchy grass to the stile down there. Looks like some much needed stile repairs are about to take place.

On Brund Fell, the summit of Grange Fell. I think somebody will be going for a haircut before much longer.

On Grange Fell summit and sheltering from the keen wind behind this handy rock.

Looking east over the High Tove and Armboth ridge to the Dodds and the Helvellyn range.

Looking south to the Borrowdale Fells from Grange Fell.

Huge outcrop on Grange Fell, Maiden Moor beyond.

Looking towards Great Gable, on the centre skyline, across Borrowdale.

A longer view of the valley and the fells at the head of it as we descend from Grange Fell.

Watch out for nettles, there’s often one lurking below a stile just waiting for an unwary bare leg!

We’re back down in the valley now and heading back to Stonethwaite, there’s a lot more detail showing on Eagle Crag than there was this morning.

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