Wednesday 6th February 2008

Start point: Cockley Beck (NY 246 017)

Cockley Beck - Moasdale - Lingcove Beck - Three Tarns - Bow Fell - Three Tarns - Shelter Crags - Crinkle Crags - Little Stand - Ulpha Fell - Cockley Beck

Distance: 7.5 miles     Total Ascent: 940 metres    Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Great winter conditions - snow, blue skies and a cold wind. 5oC.

Route Map

I wasn't sure how it would turn out today as it was a bit overcast when I set off for Bowfell from Cockley Beck at the head of the Duddon Valley. It turned out to be a fantastic day in real winter conditions and this is just how I like my walking - the going was rough, rugged and remote and the weather was quite changeable with lots of sunny spells but there was still a strong, icy cold wind. Not to worry though, it is winter after all! The icing on the cake was the climb to Bowfell in fresh snow and under a blue sky - just heaven. Thankfully I managed to get the settings in the new camera right today as well after a bit more messing about. Hopefully they will not need too much tweaking from now on.

An interesting prospect in view - Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, Little Stand towering above the Duddon Valley and the River Duddon.

Ulpha Fell at the start of the walk.

The road to Hardknott Pass - England's steepest road.

Moasdale Beck.

Little Stand from Moasdale. The final route of descent later was along the diagonal scree gully running left to right at the right of the fell.

First sight of the high fells from the rise up from Moasdale, the Scafells covered in cloud. Esk Buttress is directly in line with Casper. I got pelted in a hail shower along here which didn't give me great hope for the rest of the days weather - but you never quite know how it will turn out...

Esk Pike and Bowfell.

A close up of Esk Pike with Yeastyrigg Gill running up to Ore Gap on the right.

Look, some blue sky over Crinkle Crags!

A magnificent panorama - Great End, Esk Pike and Bowfell.

Following Lingcove Beck heading up to the right to Three Tarns below Bowfell.

Casper checks out the way to Bowfell - yep, all the way up there!

One of the Three Tarns, completely frozen and the view to the Scafells obliterated by the low lying cloud.

Suddenly it is all starting to look good on the climb to Bowfell from Three Tarns. It was fantastic here being the first to climb the virgin snow, sometimes up to knee depth and then the sunny spells and blue sky making the day a real joy to be out.

Looking eastwards over the Langdale Pikes and a smattering of snow on the highest fells.

It all looks a bit dark over that way - Bowfell's summit is to the left. Who knows what Casper is up to?!

A snowy Great Slab on Bowfell.

Heading for the summit of Bowfell.

Looking north to Esk Pike and Great End.

A superb view into Great Langdale and to Windermere from the summit of Bowfell.

Crinkle Crags, the way we are heading next from Bowfell. Beyond the Coniston fells remain in cloud.

Looking into Eskdale.

First to the top today Casper!

The Langdale Pikes in another sunny spell.

Lingmoor Fell, Pike o' Blisco and Windermere.

A view into Langstrath, Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag in the centre.

Monochromatic Bowfell Buttress and Cambridge Crag.

A black and white view to the south-east.

A bit breezy at times says Casper.

Descending back to Three Tarns, which can be seen below with Crinkle Crags beyond. Descending this section I met a couple of 'lads' climbing to Bowfell. We had a chat and talked about a few mutual acquaintances, but the thing that struck me was their ages - 75+ if they were a day! I hope I'm still going strong at that age! (Their advice to me? 'Keep out of the wind at your age'! I don't know if that means because I am old or because I am (to them) young).

The Langdales from Shelter Crags.

The summit of the Fifth Crinkle, Gunson Knott.

On the Fourth...

...the third.

Climbing to the Second Crinkle looking at the Third (right) and Fourth (left).

Long Top, the Second and highest of the Crinkle Crags.

The summit of Long Top.

Bowfell from the secondary summit cairn.

The First Crinkle from the top of the 'Bad Step'.

Looking back up to the Bad Step (centre). The climb or descent is to the right of the chock stone.

Fleeting clouds across Little Stand and the Coniston fells from the First Crinkle.

All is frozen on Stonesty Pike.

Wetherlam across a frozen tarn on Little Stand.

Sunburst over the Duddon Valley, Harter Fell to the right.

The Scafells from the steep descent from Little Stand. Still under cloud but it did seem to lift during the descent - here Slight Side on the left is clear now.

Great Carrs and Grey Friar finally get to see the light of day across the Duddon Valley.

Ulpha Fell from Cockley Beck.

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