Friday 2nd February 2007

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

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

Distance: 11 miles     Total Ascent: 745 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny with a cool wind on the tops. 10oC.

Route Map

It turned out to be a really sunny day today, the early clouds soon cleared from the high fells and although there was a cold wind on the Whin Rigg - Illgill Head ridge, the walk back along Miterdale was in very Spring-like conditions. This is a lovely walk and Miterdale feels really remote; we didn't see a soul today.

Early morning sunshine on Irton Pike. The way ahead is to Whin Rigg up to the right.

Whin Rigg.

Casper enjoys soaking up the sunshine on Irton Pike. This fell has now been completely denuded of trees on its southern slopes.

Looking back to Irton Pike from Irton Fell.

Whin Rigg ahead from Irton Fell.

Looking south to Irton Fell from the slopes of Whin Rigg with Muncaster Fell in the distance.

The view from the summit of Whin Rigg.

Casper with Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell and Great Gable in the distance.

Illgill Head from the edge of the screes.

The route to Illgill Head.

Yewbarrow across Wasdale - a fine fell.

Time for a dip in one of the tarns on the ridge.

Illgill Head.

Looking back to Whin Rigg.

Middle Fell and Seatallan across Wast Water.

The ridge between Whin Rigg and Illgill Head.

Angus and Casper on Illgill Head, behind are Great Gable, Lingmell and Scafell.

The head of Wasdale from Illgill Head.

Yewbarrow with Red Pike and Pillar behind.

Great Gable.

They're loving it!

Lingmell and Scafell.

Great Gable and Lingmell.

Scafell and Slight Side from the descent of Illgill Head.

Eskdale Fell across Burnmoor Tarn. Beyond is Slight Side with Burnmoor Lodge to the right of the tarn.

The same view from the path into Miterdale.

Scafell, Slight Side, Eskdale Fell and Burnmoor Tarn from Miterdale.

Scafell at the head of remote and quiet Miterdale.

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