Hayeswater Loop - A few in the Far East

Taking advantage of the continuing high pressure, a quick dash into the Far Eastern Fells from Hartsop. For baggers this is an ideal route, as the final four tops can be bagged in less than half an hour! As the day progressed it unfortunately slowly clouded over.

Gray Crag from Hartsop...

Kentmere Horseshoe Pt 1 - A Lakes Classic

It has been a few years (in fact 2010!) since I have last completed the full Kentmere Horseshoe, I did revisit the Kentmere Fells twice last year but not as a full expedition. So with probably the best forecast of the year so far, Kentmere was a temptation I couldn't refuse.

An early start meant I didn't meet anybody until between Froswick & Thornthwaite Beacon,
and he was asleep. Its not unusual to see a tent, but to see a small empty 'peapod' sized tent pitched right next to the path, with its occupant asleep on the grass is unusual!! I was tempted to give him a kick and check he was ok but thought it best to leave him. An RAF jet passed over shortly after and the over-sleeping camping sat up so at least he was still in the land of the living! His choice of a half empty litre bottle of water as a pillow I thought odd & uncomfortable!

My next encounter was a large party of students climbing from the the top of the Nan Bield Pass to Harter Fell, as with all large groups you get stragglers, one was getting encouragement from one of the group leaders. The fitter members under direction from another leader would wait for the few stragglers to catch up then march off. It became apparent that the fitter members where getting regular prolonged stops while the less fit members of the group weren't getting any - whats the chances of them venturing into the hills, they will most probably be put off for life!

A visit to Kentmere wont be complete without mentioning the lack of parking, the field that opens as a car park was gated (closed), with no evidence of a sign or bucket. Being early I was the first to arrive & park at the village hall (donation box), on my return the field was still closed and parking outside the village hall was full. Cars & vans had slotted themselves in various passing places and field openings!

Early morning, Kentmere & Badger Rock... 

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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...