Sunrise over Binsey & the Whittas Park circle

Binsey is one of my favorite hills. Not for the hill itself, this overall is slightly underwhelming but the views towards Skiddaw & up Bassenthwaite more than make up for what the hill lacks. A route over Whittas Park makes for a slightly longer & more worthwhile outing, although not on public rights of way.

The early morning sun obscured by cloud...

Whaligoe & its Steps - The unique tourist attraction

In the summer of 2013 I had planned to take the kids to John O' Groats and  Dunnet Head, as I never like to visit anywhere without an OS map of the area I'd picked up the Landranger sheet (12) for Thurso & Wick. As usual with my map 'OCD', I studied it first and noticed in the bottom right corner the word "Steps" highlighted in blue, denoting a site of tourist interest.

Steps? When have steps ever been a tourist attraction, indeed my house has several ? With the seeds of intrigue sown, I planned to keep an eye out for the village of Whaligoe as I traveled north to Wick. Of course in a blink it was gone, a hasty U turn brought us back to Whaligoe and a small parking area beyond some cottages was located. A honesty box selling a small tourist guide, 'Whaligoe and its Steps - The Unique Harbour' by Iain Sutherland proved that I had correctly located Whaligoe and its steps.

If like me you have never heard of the Whaligoe Steps they are a flight of 365 steps descending 250 feet of sea cliff to a fishing station & harbour. If it wasn't for the OS I would have driven past this one, well worth a visit.

This motorbike was rusting away near the car park...

Skiddaw & Latrigg - A wintry dash up & down

This morning's forecast wasn't great but with a fresh drop of snow (sadly lacking this year) I thought I'd have a quick dash up from Gale Road. If time allowed I'd visit Skiddaw Little Man & Lonscale Pike on the way back down. Surprisingly it was better than predicted.

A pleasant morning by the Hawell Monument...

Aiken Beck Circuit

By any standard today's forecast was poor, a depressing 10% chance of cloud free summits was hardly inspiring, even by my standards! Something low and nearby was the order of the day and with little or no wind mist was boiling up from Whinlatter's conifer plantations, occasionally obscuring the views but today's summits provided an unexpected 100% cloud free summits. The developing cloud clung to the surrounding hills adding a touch of atmosphere but for once I had picked the right hills.

Early morning, touch of cloud around Broom Fell (R)...

Grisedale Pike & the new lagoons

Grisedale Pike was a spur of the moment decision, I originally intended on Lingmoor from Elterwater which I hoped would be below the forecast cloud. It was a surprise to see Grisedale Pike looming over the mist boiling up from the forestry plantations above Wythop. All the other hills were well & truly obscured so the decision was made for me - it also gave me an opportunity to have a closer look at the current works around Force Crag Mine. 

Over the last year or two the mine road had been improved, there has been a period of drilling/boring, and last summer I saw people taking samples from the beck. The latest ongoing project is for the construction of a series of lagoons to capture various metals (3 tonnes a year) being washed out of the mine and improve the water quality flowing into Bassenthwaite. It will be interesting to see how well it all blends in.

Some info:-

Newcastle University - New Lagoon

The Plight of the Vendace

Slightly annoying, roadside parking it is...

Brant Fell - Unexpected bustle on the hill

I had to be in Windermere again this morning so I had the opportunity to grab another Wainwright Outlying Fell. With not a great deal of spare time it had to be Brant Fell, low & within walking distance of Windermere.

Many of the other online 'reports' of Brant Fell describe it as 'an escape from the bustle of Windermere', but on this chilly January morning the hill was busier than Windermere.

Follow the double yellows up Brantfell Road to the start of the Dalesway...

Bannerdale Circuit - Bannerdale Crags & Bowscale Fell

Unfortunately once again I only had time for a quick dash out this morning. Early morning progress was further slowed by icy roads so I decided it was safer to be on the hill, Bannerdale Crags & Bowscale Fell were today's fine choice. As the morning progressed the wind picked up, bringing severe wind chill & made walking difficult - it was also beginning to cloud over but this was no concern to me as I was on my way home.

Bannerdale Crag & the East Ridge...

A circuit of Barkbethdale & Southerndale - The dog passes 700

I had time this morning for a quick dash out, so cutting out travelling time and walking something close would mean more time on the hill. Fortunately one of my local hills is Skiddaw, it may lack some of the dramatic scenery & excitement of the other Lakes 3000 footers but when approached over Longside Edge it is still a fine hill.

Today the dog would pass his 700th Wainwright (not including Outliers!).

The view up Southerndale from Watches - Skiddaw to Ullock Pike...

A quick jaunt up the Jaws of Borrowdale

Struggling with a sore hip (makes a change from a hurty knee) and a 30% chance of cloud free summits confirmed it was time for something a little lower & little shorter. A walk over Castle Crag & Grange Fell the 'Jaws of Borrowdale' may lack in height & distance but rewards with fine views.

Grange Bridge, despite the rain the level wasn't that high...

Glaramara to Seathwaite - First snowy wander of 2014

The forecast for today was pretty poor and as the day progressed it was meant to decline with blizzards & 90mph gusts forecast for the afternoon. As dire weather is now becoming the norm the only solution - an early start and a shortish route over Glaramara & Allen Crags should be finished before the weather closed in. Seathwaite Fell was included as a last minute summit so the 'weather' hit just after passing Styhead Tarn. Strangely only saw three people all day, there was only five cars parked at Seathwaite and ours was the only one parked near Thornythwaite Farm/Mountain View cottages.

Early morning: Comb Gill & Comb Head, better than forecast...

Hallin Fell in the hail

Hallin Fell is one of those smaller fells that stand alone and to be honest are not worth making a special trip, so when ever I'm passing & if I'm feeling fit I try to give it a go. Still plenty of 'weather' about, on the second walk of the day...

Hallin Fell summit cairn...

2014 Starting off from were 2013 finished - Fusedale Skyline

I had hoped that the New Year would herald an improvement in the weather, but unfortunately 2014 is starting off from were 2013 finished. With status quo in force I headed East where the dire forecast hinted at slightly better conditions. Apart from hunting better conditions this also became an opportunity to make an overdue re-visit to the Wainwrights surrounding Fusedale. Photos are limited due to passing hail showers.

Martindale Church, the car park was busy despite the early hour & forecast...