Wednesday 11th January 2006

Start point: Old Quarry car park (NY 121 012)

Old Quarry car park - Irton Pike (OF) - Irton Fell - Whin Rigg (445) - Illgill Head (446) - Burnmoor Tarn - Miterdale - Old Quarry car park

Distance: 11 miles     Total Ascent: 900 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Grey to start, ever brightening. 7oC.

Route Map

It started off a bit grey and murky this morning, but at least it wasn't raining after the downpour yesterday which left many places waterlogged and boggy. These fells overlooking Wast Water are perhaps better known from the Wasdale side as 'The Screes', where the steep and treacherous western face looks almost insurmountable. The contrasting eastern side falling to Miterdale is quite gentle and grassy and this is the route I took for the return leg after the ridge walk above Wast Waster.

The sun shines on Sellafield and the West Cumbrian coast from Irton Pike.

Wast Water and Wasdale from Irton Pike. The way ahead is the ridge running to the right above Wast Water.

The path to Whin Rigg from Irton Fell.

Greathall Gill - a great slice cut out of the fellside.

Looking back along the path, over Greathall Gill to Irton Fell and a sunlit Irton Pike.

Contemplation on Whin Rigg for Angus.

Middle Fell over Wast Water from Whin Rigg.

A glimpse of Wast Water down Great Gully.

Something has caught his eye.

Illgill Head in mist over the tarns.

Mountain tarns - they are a great place...

...for a swim.

There are plenty up here.

Looking over to Yewbarrow.

Scary scree slopes.

Middle Fell and Yewbarrow over Wast Water.

The jagged edge of Whin Rigg.

A dull looking Wasdale Head with Kirk Fell and Great Gable in the mist.

Burnmoor Tarn - note the isolated Burnmoor Lodge to the right of the photo.

The sunrays burst out over Miterdale.

A nice place to live.

Sunshine and blue skies now on Whin Rigg.

Great Grain Gill.

Cascades on the River Mite.

Further along the river.

You need to think in the local dialect to translate this sign.

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