Status Quo on Skiddaw

A hectic week or two meant that I hadn't been able to hit the fells, so on the first opportunity it was pretty disappointing to find  them shrouded in low cloud. Surprisingly Skiddaw just had a little whiff of the grey stuff licking its summit and that looked like it would be blown clear - a better proposition then the obscured Great Gable.

Of course this is Skiddaw and any fancy notions of actually getting a view are ill founded.

The sun is out to play, looking towards Binsey...

Identity crisis on Little Lingy Hill

Sometimes hill lists collide, one may side with the OS, another may go with what is obvious on the ground -  Little Lingy Hill is one of those tops caught in this uncertainty. Birkett places it to the more prominent lump above Iron Crag, while the Synge list sides with the OS and plumps with an insignificant bump in Miller Moss.

I've previously visited these tops before, even the boggy insignificant Synge summit has been crossed whilst taking a shortcut across Miller Moss (not recommended) but to describe this as a Lakeland Summit is stretching the dictionary definition of a 'summit'.

A friend has asked me what the ascent of  Roughtongill is like so its a little photo heavy, its not a difficult climb but when the gill is in spate or in winter conditions it should be approached with care.

It should be noted that the LDNPA has placed a restriction of mineral collection in the area described by this walk to preserve the rare minerals for the nation, its ok for United Utilities to use the mineral rich mine spoil to repair pot holes on there track, or samples to slowly be washed down the valley. A successful prosecution can lead to a £20,000 fine, I've seen a few threatening signs in Hay Gill - but the only attempted prosecution was above the Plumbago Mines in Borrowdale. 

The valley of Dale Beck is worth a visit...

Solway sunset on two wheels

Out of all the hills in the Lakes, the Caldbeck & Uldale Fells are probably considered the poor cousins to the other ranges. The views of the Scottish Coast over the Solway are hardly the most dramatic that Scotland has to offer, but one of the best times to view are at sunset - especially on two wheels

Climbing High Pike from Fellside, the sun getting low in the sky...

Skiddaw & Co - via the snowy trade route

The hills looked a little hit & miss this morning - cloud seemed to be licking most of their summits so making  a final decision was difficult! Something close seemed sensible & since its been a while since I've been up Skiddaw's tourist route, this seemed a good option as any. Lack of the Summer hordes and a fresh covering of snow was a bonus.

Howell Memorial, weather could head either way - forecast predicts an improvement :)

Knott & Great Calva from Longlands with a touch of weather

February has been a vile month, with pretty constant rain & gale force winds, fortunately today brought a slight improvement in the weather, there was still gale force winds but at least the rain initially held off and the sun made an appearance - almost spring like.

The sun not quite up from Longlands Fell...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...