Wednesday 20th September 2006

Start point: Longlands (NY 266 358)

Longlands - Brae Fell (484) - Little Sca Fell - Great Sca Fell - Knott - Frozen Fell - Burn Tod - Trusmadoor - Great Cockup - Meal Fell - Lowthwaite Fell (485) - Longlands Fell (486) - Longlands

Distance: 9.75 miles     Total Ascent: 970 metres     Time Taken: 3 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Very windy with showers. 16oC.

Route Map

What a day! I passed through major rainstorms throughout the central Lake District to find it fairly clear behind Skiddaw. The tail end of Hurricane Gordon hit while we were up there today though, with very high winds and showers. Although it is usually relatively easy going, the fells being grassy and most unlike other fells in Lakeland, today the wind made the going much tougher.

The Uldale fells are known as 'The Back o' Skiddaw' and are on the northernmost boundary of the Lake District. They certainly are off the beaten track and we completed this circuit without even catching sight of a single soul.

Longlands Fell from the bridleway. This was the last fell of the round later on.

The wind started to pick up during the ascent of Brae Fell and the sun was fleeting in and out. Casper has a look north over to Aughertree Fell with a ghostly figure behind...

It was soooo windy on the summit of Brae Fell. Casper and Angus are lying low - looks like Angus is in the right place, sheltering behind Casper.

Brae Fell.

The weather was not really conducive to taking photos - here is a quick shot of the way ahead to Little Sca Fell up to the right - taken full on into the wind. I could hardly stand up!

Looking back to a sunlit Brae Fell from Little Sca Fell.

Lowthwaite Fell and Longlands Fell from Little Sca Fell. In the distant left are Over Water and Binsey.

Heading to a mist covered Knott from Great Sca Fell.

Still windy and no view on the summit of Knott.

Angus fancies a walk over to Great Calva I think, but it's not on our route today.

The Uldale Fells from Burn Tod.

The sun fleeting in and out again on the steep descent of Burn Tod, here looking to the gap of Trusmadoor. Looking at this photo, it appears to be a nice day; I can assure you it was anything but! The strong wind made every step difficult.

Great Cockup, our next target.

Looking into Frozenfell Gill with Great Sca Fell at its head.

A broody looking Skiddaw from Great Cockup. Skiddaw never came from beneath this cloud blanket all day and it seemed to shelter these northern fells from the worst of the weather.

Meal Fell from the descent of Great Cockup with Little Sca Fell and Great Sca Fell beyond.

Having a rest in the wind shelter on Meal Fell.

Looking into a sunlit Frozenfell Gill.

Rainbow over Brae Fell from Little Sca Fell. The rain was in now, blowing fiercely from behind.

Heading for Longlands Fell from Lowthwaite Fell.

Charlton Gill and Brae Fell during a brief intermission from the rain - it is coming back in from the top right again, though.

Looking over Longlands from the descent of Longlands Fell, Aughertree Fell behind.

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