Newlands Horseshoe with Robinson & High Spy's shrinking cairn

Today's forecast wasn't particularly favourable and at the start with Dale Head, Hindscarth & Robinson shrouded in cloud it didn't look promising. A large number of my walks towards the end of 2013 have been blighted by cloud, uncharacteristically the final one of the year didn't follow suit. The wind was a bit icy & the tops busy but at least the cloud lifted & remained clear. 

The track leading to Yewthwaite Mine below Yewthwaite Combe...

Helvellyn - More wandering in cloud

If the doomsayers (weather forecasters) where to be believed than today was to be the last 'fine' day before a week or more of stormy weather. Even then it was only foretold till lunchtime, hence the early start to grab the forecast clear skies - Southern & Western Fells weren't even given this chance .

Its been a few months since I was last over Helvellyn and since this may be the last outing for a week or two I wanted it to be on a few good hills. As usual I parked in the free layby and avoided the LDNPA car parks like the plague, ok there is a short unpleasant walk beside the A591 but for a saving of £7 for a day's parking, its worth it.

Early morning view back down to Thirlmere, Skiddaw is nice & clear...

A Round of Southerndale - Skiddaw

Less than a hour earlier, I had been complaining about the lasts months weather, usually a few good days make up for the bad days - however this winter there hasn't been enough good days to compensate. Cue opening the curtains as the sun came up to moderately clear skies full of early morning pinks & peaches, this is where the hill vs Christmas shopping diplomacy began. After extensive talks and bargaining a deal was struck - a quick dash up a hill (my favourite hobby) followed by a stint of Christmas shopping (my least favourite hobby) with wifey. I had planned a quick up & down of Grisedale Pike but Skiddaw was too tempting...

Southerndale, the pink-peach colour display now over with...

Aiming low - Sale & Ling Fell

Only a short walk today, for two reasons the cloud base was, as forecast,  low and the poor weather was to deteriorate even further as the day progressed. Sale & Ling Fell are an ideal choice for when every else is clagged up, it was also today's choice for a mountain bike orienteering event - a sport I'd previously never heard of.

Sale Fell over Burthwaite Woods from the climb up Ling Fell...

Skiddaw - Usual conditions prevail!

It was the day before what was being billed as 'the worst storm for 60 years' and the forecast was looking reasonable. XCWeather & the Met Office had big fat yellow suns on Keswick, MWIS predicted a 70% chance of cloud free summits, cloud base of about 800m possibly lower in passing showers of drizzle - certainly the calm before the storm. 

Away from fictional forecasts, reality wasn't as kind; although the cloud was rising rapidly. The lower summits of Bakestall, Ullock Pike & Longside Edge all cleared as I approached and parked at Peter House Farm. However it soon obscured them completely.

The track up Dash Valley...

Misty Matterdale Common - The Eastern Dodds

The first of December, the dark nights are closing in as the shortest day approaches & unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any let up in the miserable damp dank weather. Its time winter finally arrived, but December began the same as November finished.

According to MWIS the highest cloud base could be found in the Far Eastern Fells so it was a surprise to see the Dodds cloud free and the hills over Ullswater hidden in grey - a quick U-Turn found us parked in Dockray. Originally this was going to be a round of Deepdale & Dowthwaite Head but a brief aspect of Clough Head from Great Dodd enticed us with the chance of the only summit view of the day, as expected it clouded over.

Looking down onto Dockray from Watermillock Common...

Gasgale Crags - More unsuccessful cloud dodging

With a forecast for low cloud I originally intended a crossing of Lord's Seat and its surrounding hills but as I passed through Cockermouth the cloud had lifted & was just licking the summit of Hopegill Head, an old fell-running route of mine looked promising.

A new bridge spans Gasgale Gill, replacing the one that was washed away in the 2009 floods... 

Not quite a round of Stoneycroft

This was intended to be a round of Stoneycroft Gill, but eager to leave the busy car park & deep in conversation we set off up the mine road, completely forgetting that the 'correct' way up Sleet Hause was from below Rowling End. It wasn't a problem as we picked up the diagonal path that begins near the fold on High Moss that leads to the Causey Pike - Scar Crags ridge.

The start of the Cobalt Mine road near Stoneycroft...

Brocken Spectre's & a circuit of Rannerdale

After two walks that lacked in both interest and views it was time for something a bit special to lift my spirits. If you are ever in need of a 'hill pick me up' then the Buttermere Fells are the tonic of choice & coupled with a fine forecast these hills will lift the darkest of moods.

An empty car park - always a great way to start a walk - I didn't see anybody all day...

A tale of two Mells - Great & Little Mell Fell

Both of these two Eastern Wainwrights are great viewpoints, unfortunately the weather restricted the views - at least it didn't rain. Both the summits of Great & Little Mell Fell are topped with Bowl Barrows.

Room for a few cars at the end of this track...

Long Side Edge & Dodd - More cloud dodging

With a predicted forecast of depressingly low cloud & a risk of showers by lunchtime, coupled with a late start due to work commitments today was never going to a great day. Just to darken my mood even more my walking partner wanted to tick Dodd off his remaining Wainwrights, Dodd unfortunately ranks amongst my most hated Wainwrights. However on the plus side I had convinced him to approach Dodd along Longside Edge with the option of a quick nip up Skiddaw if the cloud held off -  typically it didn't.

The path from Ravenstone to The Edge...

A quick dash up Gummer's How

Had to be in Windermere this morning so thought I'd take advantage with an opportunist Marilyn & Wainwright Outlier - managed to sneak my usual walking partner along too :)

I started from the Forestry Commission car park so the car did most of the work. Very easy going on a good path although I had a look at picking off the Birkett of Birch Fell but with hindsight should have brought my boots as it was wet & boggy  so didn't bother. Good views and a worthwhile short climb although not worth making a long trip for by itself.

Not much going on beside Windermere...

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Travelling home over Dunmail Raise and along Thirlmere, I was treated to a natural lights show as shafts of sunlight broke through the clouds. I decided Castlerigg Stone Circle would be a great foreground for the crepuscular rays and made the short detour, of course 'sods law' dictates the light show would have ended. Surprisingly I managed to grab a couple of pictures without the usual visitors in shot.

Fantastic Fairfield & the Rydal Horsehoe

Blessed with another fine forecast it was a little disappointing to see cloud on many of the higher fells. Travelling South to find cloud free summits, found us over Dunmail Pass - a choice between the Langdale Fells (walked only a few days before) or the Rydal Fells. Obviously everybody else had made the same decision as these hills where very busy!

A sun soaked Windermere from Nab Scar...

A perfect match : Winter sun & the Langdale Pikes

This was the best weekend forecast for around the last six weeks and with a thin dusting of snow on the Lakeland Fells it was impossible to resist. Great weather deserves great hills, and the Langdale Pikes never fail to disappoint. Originally hailing from Cockermouth a northerly approach from Stonethwaite is my usual route to these hills.

Eagle Crag from an icy Borrowdale...

A round of Greenburn

I had watched the long range forecast for today see-saw back & forth between sun & heavy rain, as the week progressed even the short range forecast was indecisive! I awoke to rain and as I passed under Skiddaw the wind screen wipers were on full speed, as I headed South through the Lakes it became brighter. With the rain now passed it was time to dump the car and go for a walk.

Helm Crag from Easedale...

First snow on the Ennerdale - Buttermere watershed

A walk along the Ennerdale-Buttermere watershed, with a poor forecast it was originally intended to be a crossing of Great Borne & Starling Dodd. As the cloud lifted suddenly from Red Pike it seemed a shame not to include it, from there it would be rude not to include High Stile & High Crag. A flurry of snow greeted us on the summit of High Crag, the first of the season but overall better weather than forecast. As always the six mile trudge along the forestry road back to Bowness Knott car park seemed longer than it was.

The start of climb up Bowness Knott...

Irton Pike - A quick up & down

A quick up & down, even if your not collecting Wainwright Outlying tops its still a worthy viewpoint.

Obvious parking place...

A circuit of Miterdale - Plan C

This was a last minute plan C! My plan A had been a Outlying & Birkett top collecting exercise into the Dunnerdale Fells, but unfortunately comitments slowly began to fill up the afternoon so realisticaly I'd never get them all done. My plan B would have been a walk up Lingmell to pick up the Nuttals of Round How (99% sure I've been over this one before) & Middleboot Knotts (50-50 on this one?) but as I gained my
first view down Wasdale, the cloud was just licking  Lingmell & the Scafells were well & truely in the clouds. Time for a plan C.

I had the nearby Wainwright Outlier of Irton Pike & the Birkett top of Great Bank to tick off & Boat How was overdue a re-visit. As time was now of the essence I decided to approach Great Bank from the car park half way down Mitredale and follow the Whin Rigg to Illgill Head ridge to Burnmoor Tarn - from here I could return to the car over Boat How. If time allowed I could gain Irton Pike as a quick ascent from the road.

Under no circumstance can I recommend my route up Great Bank - a longer route starting/ending under Irton Pike however would be pleasant

Great Bank, a Birkett top...

Latrigg (Uldale) - An early morning trespass

Following my quick walk up Binsey I thought it would be worthwhile to have a wander up Latrigg whilst its fields where free of livestock. This Latrigg is the not the Keswick one that appears on the Wainwright lists but is the Uldale one found on the Synge list; I've read this is private but to be honest from the public right of way progress is unhindered by barbed wire or signs and the summit sports a small cairn. I've seen more restrictions to progress on a footpath!

Latrigg & the Uldale Fells from Binsey...

Binsey - An early morning leg stretch

I had time this morning for a quick leg stretch with the dog. Parked at the Binsey Lodge lay-by for the quick up & down of Binsey.

The gate at the end of the lay-by providing access to the open fell...

A pre-storm dash into the Uldale Fells

With what could only be described as a dire forecast and predictions of a 'Great Storm' today's walk was a quick wander over my local hills. The conditions when it wasn't raining were not that bad, despite the wind, when it did rain it was like being shot blasted! I was back home after a few hours to await for the 'Great Storm' that actually never arrived in Cumbria.

Looking back to Longlands from the Cumbria Way...

A Staveley figure of eight

With a forecast for 'extensive hill fog' I decided it pointless staying in the heart of the Lakes and decided to travel again to the Far Eastern fringe and pick off a few more outliers. Skiddaw & Blencathra had their heads in the cloud butI had to fight the urge to pull in to the empty parking for Helvellyn. A faint whiff of cloud teased its summit and with the surrounding blue sky it did look enticing :)

Arriving at Staveley and the car dumped by Barley Bridge with still a distinct lack of hill fog I wondered if I'd made the right decision. When I started on the Wainwright Outliers I soon discovered that it was handy taking the book or at least a photocopy of the map, a majority is through farmland so having a heads up where the (usually hidden) stiles & gates are to be found. Unfortunately it was at this point that the guide which I thought was in the car's glove box was back home on the book shelf, my memory isn't the best !

The first leg of the 'figure of eight' covered the Potter Fell section and probably involved a trespass. The second loop covered High Knott, Hugill Fell & Reston Scar chapters in one pass and again probably involved a bit of trespassing. Plenty of barbed wire & stone walls had to be crossed - not always easy with a wayward terrier.

Early morning in the Kent valley...

Glenridding Dodd & Sheffield Pike - A cloud dodge fail

This October's weather in general has been pretty poor and keeping with the status quo today's was no better. Unfortunately MWIS predicted a 20% chance of clear summits and heavy showers, something short & low seemed like the best option, Glenridding Dodd's lack of height virtually guaranteed a view. 

Avoiding parking in Glenridding I approached via the pleasant path that leaves the road beside Stybarrow Crag and follows Mossdale Beck as height is gained.

Slightly better than predicted up Ullswater...

Wet, Wet, Wet Sleddale

This was the second walk of the day in an attempt to maximise summits/per car miles, don't say I don't do my bit for the environment. The original route was followed with the addition of Wasdale Pike as I had missed it off my Crookdale/Wasdale combo. As I'd never visited Wet Sleddale I was quite looking forward to this, but unnfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. I had originally intended to visit in the frozen depths of winter the 'Wet' in the name being a clue to what one might expect.

The route was wet, heathery, tussocky more or less throughout the only respite being on the easy return Bridleway. Again the sound of bellowing Stags drifted up from the valley floor, I disturbed a a small herd near Great Saddle Crag but they disappeared before the camera switched on. I also disturbed an owl hidden amongst the heather - I've never seen this before ?

Wet Sleddale Reservoir only completed in the 60's supplies Manchester via Haweswater...

Robin Hood & his merry summits

I've slowly been working my way through the Shap Fells and today I planned to merge two of Wainwright Outlier routes into one, AW devotes a chapter each to the Crookdale & Wasdale Horseshoes. With Wasdale Pike omitted the remaining six summits make a more complete horseshoe of Crookdale.

Earlier in September I'd walked the Bannisdale Horseshoe and out of all the Outlying routes this is the one I had been looking forward to the most, unfortunately it hadn't really impressed me - although the poor weather I encountered could have played a part. Feeling uninspired & with this in mind I wasn't looking forward to these and the morning forecast of extensive hill-fog didn't really help my 'flat' feeling.

The official route starts from the A6 near Borrow Bridge but access beside the farm is no longer tolerated so I started from the old road where there is an abundance of parking. With the weather better than forecast and access problems avoided my mood improved and I really enjoyed this foray into the Shap hills. Its quite wet in places so would be ideal left for winter but I managed to finish with dry feet.

Early morning, the climb up High House Bank, two deer disappeared before I could reach to the camera...

Walla Crag to High Tove - The Central Tip

The forecast for today wasn't too hot, with low cloud forecast & a chance of rain. The four central Wainwrights on the Borrowdale/Thirlmere watershed where picked as hopefully they would be below the cloud & the walk could easily be cut short. As it turned out the cloud was higher than predicted around 2000ft and the rain never appeared. High Seat to High Tove is a pretty wet crossing & is best left till the ground is frozen.

Climbing beside Cat Gill...

Blake Fell - Birket bashing

Around Blake Fell I had four remaining Birkett tops, Kelton Fell & Godworth are pretty easy bags from the road. The awkward two being High Hows & Owsen Fell, which would also be an easy bag from Lamplugh Church if it was not on private land. These two are a trespass, a quick look at  the www.hill-bagging.co.uk entry for High Hows with words like trespass, walkers keep out, objectionable, foul-mouthed, aggressive & expletives; should be warning enough. This was the first walk of September & other than the sneaking an enjoyable walk on familar ground..

The track from the road up Kelton Fell...

A circuit of Rydal & Grasmere

Loughrigg Fell, a little hill with fantastic views & to get the most from this its best left for a clear day.
With MWIS predicting clear skies it guaranteed a great day.

Silver How was a last minute addition, at the cost of my lawn that is desperate from a bit of Flymo attention!
The sound of hunting horns rose up from Chapel Stile & Langdale and a few hounds criss-crossed the route to Silver How.
Once down in Grasmere, ruling out the grass cutting completely I decdided to have a look at Alcock Tarn. I had intended to walk up to Heron Pike but it seemed to have its fair share of visitors so didn't need two more, so I walked over Nab Scar on this side of Rydal.

  Early morning, Rydal Water...

Bleak hills, bleak weather - Selside Pike & Branstree

For this round of Wainwrights I'd decided to include the outlying tops of Nabs Moor & Howes with Branstree & Selside Pike and finally have a look at the MBA's Mosedale Cottage Bothy something I've been to planning to do for a while. I just needed the weather to play ball but I had spent the week watching
the weather turn out far better then forecast. So with another poor forecast I hoped they got it wrong again, they didn't!!

Skiddaw was clear in the early morning but by the time I set off the cloud was beginning to build up & as forecast it went downhill rapidally. The forecast weather was meant to be better in the east of the county, it probably wasn't, I think it was pretty miserable everywhere!

MWIS predicted and actually got it right a nil chance of cloud free summits.

Not looking promising up Swindale...

Cat Bells to High Spy - The dog hits 600

A friend has just taken up hill-walking and asked me if I'd accompany him on a walk. I only had time for a short half day's walk so with an an early start: Cat Bells, Maiden Moor & High Spy where picked due to their fine views & relative ease. These would be my friend's 5,6 & 7th Wainwright & the 600th for my four legged walking companion. As the Newland Valley was still in shade (it doesn't see the sun once winter comes) we descended by the Rigghead Quarries to Borrowdale and returned to the car using the busy valley footpaths.

Cat Bells from Skellgill Bank...

Summer makes a return to the Coniston Fells

With all the main online forecasts being filled with big yellow suns and MWIS predicting a 90% chance of clear summits it was time to make a return to the Coniston Fells.

I hadn't really decided upon a route or which fells I was going to walk, as a last minute I ignored the Bursting Stone Quarry route up the old man & decided to head up to Goat's Water for Dow Crag. Taking what AW refers to as the South Rake was also a last minute decision.

Carrying on to Great Carrs & Grey Friar from Swirl How was also an impulse that unfortunately required a re-ascent of Swirl How. Wetherlam was also strangely quiet but at least I didn't have to fight my way through walkers eating sandwiches to reach the summit cairn.

Early morning over Coniston...

Caves, Mines & Circles - Little Salkeld's hilltop distractions

I'd seen several photos of the picturesque Lacy's Caves over the years, its one of those walks that often fills a few inches in the odd walking column, but I had never been lucky enough to visit. The caves aren't naturally occurring and are an 18th century folly commissioned by Lt-Col Samuel Lacy of Salkeld Hall, consisting of five chambers they where used for entertaining and the abundance of rhododendrons nearby suggest they where originally surrounded by planted gardens.

Spurned on by another appearance in a local newspaper I decided to drag the kids away from there electronic devices and force them to get a little bit of fresh air. The walk from Little Salkeld to Lacy's Caves usually follows a circular route including the Long Meg Stone Circle but to avoid rebellion a simple straight there and back would be sufficient. It is probably worth noting that my daughter represents her school in a total of four sports & the district in one of them so its more the shame of being spotted out with her uncool⁽¹⁾ Dad, than laziness!

Overall a worth while distraction, with a pleasant walk beside the Carlisle-Settle railway & through Caves Wood.

Lacy's Cave...

An Ullscarf circular, from Dob Gill

By mentioning Ullscarf in a previous blog post, I realised it had probably been over twelve months since I last walked the Central Fell of Ullscarf. I decided to start from Dob Gill picking off a previously un-ascended Birkett top of Brown Rigg and since it had been even longer since I had last visited Harrop Tarn I planned to descend over Castle & Nab Crags with a small detour to include the tarn. With a predicted cloud-base of 200m, a 30% chance of clear summits & the fact everything was well & truly in cloud when I set off, to say I wasn't expecting much was an understatement.

A short distant down the road a gate takes you onto the open fell between the trees...

Bannisdale Horseshoe & Grey Crag

I was hoping to walk Wainwright's Outlying route of Bannisdale but had watched the promised fine weekend forecast slowly deteriorate as the week progressed, MWIS predicted a cloudbase of 200-400m, chance of cloud free summits rising to 30% from nil. Any ideas of travelling so far where scrubbed - I'd walk whatever was clear, closer to home! So it was a surprise to see the Lord Seat's group clear, but Skiddaw & the higher hills just had their heads in the clouds. As I travelled South this was replicated throughout the Lakes, a touch of early morning mist rose from Grasmere & Rydal.

So it was a bit disappointing to arrive at Kendal to see low hill fog - too late to change my mind. Wainwright complained this route was pathless, for me, the majority was viewless. There is a vague path, but some of the fences still lack stiles and the route crosses quite rough ground over Borrowdale Head & Lamb Pasture...

As AW lists this as an ascent route of Grey Crag from the Kendal-Shap Road I couldn't resist

The track turns up to the fell here at Whiteside Fold (Moser Farm in AWs day)...

Carrock Beck Circuit - Avoiding the cloud

Despite a predicted 70% chance of clear summits most of the Northern Fells had their heads in the clouds. Fortunately both Carrock Fell & High Pike looked like they might clear, as a bonus it had been over a year since my last visit to these two hills. I parked in one of the many spaces near the ford and ascended Carrock Fell via Rake Trod and followed the usually wet crossing to Hare Stones before climbing High Pike. Descended back to the road over West Fell.

The path leaves the road above Stone Ends...

Honister Crag before the via ferrata

Way back in the late 80s & early 90s I dabbled in various other outdoor related sports, notably for this report caving being another of them. Unfortunaetly the Lakes sadly lacks natural caves so the nearest thing is those created by the hands of man & dynamite.

One of the areas largest slate workings are found on Dale Head (Yew Crag) & on Fleetwith Pike (Honister Crag). In fact Fleetwith is penetrated by many levels, these being connected by two internal inclines (known as the Honister (old) & the Kimberley (new) Incline). Where the mine levels on the Honister incline exit into daylight onto Honister crag they are also linked by several external inclines that cuts a diagonal tract across the face of the crag. These are known as the Bull Gill Incline, Nag Beck Incline & the Ash Beck Incline. Access to these inclines was via a road way (called the Monkey Shelf) where they could be used to climb Honister Crag exiting not too far from the summit of Fleetwith Pike. The only place where the incline could not be followed was where it crossed Bull Gill (the bridge had collapsed) but by going underground and climbing the old incline where you could exit back onto the external incline.

Nowadays Honister Crag & incline is now a via ferrata & run as a tourist attraction. The pictures are scanned from old photos, so please excuse the quality.

The upper terminal pier of the aerial ropeway at the foot of the Bull Gill incline...

Roughing it with Eagles & walking in the footsteps of Romans

One walk I had been planning to do for a while is an approach of High Street over Rough Crag, returning to Haweswater fom High Raise. I've never visited the two Birkett tops of Low Raise  & Castle Crag so a chance to add two to my tally made this an obvious route choice. The forecast for today was surprising good considering the next days forecast is about as bad as you could ever wish for, local news warned of cancelled sporting events & country shows. So MWIS predicting a favourable 80% chance of cloud free summits was the icing on the cake.

 I often preach of an early start so it was somewhat of a surprise to arrive at the car park at the top of Haweswater to find a gazebo with what appeared to be a buffet of fruit & various snacks with a choice of refreshments. A film camera sat ready on a tripod, a photographer and other 'official' looking people in attendance standing dutifully by the tent. Me & my faithful walking companion don't usually get this sort of reception, how did they know where we were walking today? More importantly that my dog is partial to the odd sausage roll (or three)?

Unfortunately the welcoming committee wasn't for us but had something to do with a 100k Mountain Marathon starting from Brockhole.

Early morning in Haweswater, the sun hadn't come over Selside Pike yet...

Hayeswater to be retired after 100 years of service

Binsey - A rural trespass

Binsey is a relatively low hill in the Northern Fells, one I've climbed several times from Binsey Lodge or via the green lane leaving the A591. I've never walked this hill from High Ireby (Binsey 6), a route Wainwright describes as a 'rural stroll ... through unfrequented countryside', some of this could be due to lack of public rights of way onto the hill side. The omission of a public footpath on a map doesn't always mean that no path exists but barbed wire and a 'PRIVATE' sign turns this approach into a trespass.

The High Ireby to High Houses footpath...

Hallin Fell - An opportunist summit bag

Hallin Fell is one of those hills whose summit rewards with great views for very little effort. The speed of ascent from Martindale Church means this hill is best climbed when passing rather than making a special trip.

Hallin Fell's summit cairn...

A round of Boredale

With my goal of completing the Birketts nearing reality with the remaining tops finally dropping below 3 figures (in my defence their is 541 tops on the list). I find myself walking over familiar ground in an effort to pick off insignificant tops.   

Today I had my eye on three Birketts :- Low Birk Fell, Bleaberry Knott (Birk Fell) & the interestingly named The Knight; these tops are found are located on the North ridge of Place Fell. I'm not sure where 'The Knight' gets its name, it could be from the Arthurian links of Ullswater or its distinctive shape when seen from a distance. Unfortunately it disappoints close up, the other two Birketts provide better views.

Place Fell is one of the finest viewpoints in Lake District so a visit to its top providing the cloud is above its top is no hardship and the return to Sandwick by Beda Fell's long undulating ridge finishes off a pleasant round of Boredale.

Ullswater's lakeside path now left, Low Birk Fell dominates the view ahead...