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...

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...

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...

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...