Friday 21st November 2008

Start point: Stone Ends (NY 354 338)

Stone Ends - Rake Trod - Carrock Fell - Round Knott - Miton Hill - High Pike - West Fell - Carrock Beck - Stone Ends

Distance: 6 miles     Total Ascent: 530 metres     Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Frequent snow showers and an icy cold wind. 5oC.

Route Map

It started off bright enough this morning but once on Rake Trod, the wind really picked up and almost immediately it started snowing. The arctic conditions were predicted this weekend but it came as a shock to the system nevertheless. I normally run warm when I am out but I was chilled to the bone today, so I wonder what the wind chill factor was?

The start of the walk near Stone Ends passing Carrock End Mine.

Climbing Rake Trod.

Looking back down Rake Trod, Carrock End mine is to the right near the cars.

Up onto the summit ridge and the snow showers were coming in thick and fast now, here looking to Bowscale Fell.

Heading for the summit of Carrock Fell.

High Pike from Carrock Fell.

Casper models the windswept look. That wind was absolutely arctic, pity there isn't 'freeze-o-vision' to let you feel it...

...the Fell Assassin on Carrock Fell! That's a windstopper fleece below a soft shell with a polartec buff under a LA mountain hat - nice photo Casper!

Looking into the Caldew Valley from Carrock Fell, Little Man, Skiddaw and Great Calva at the head. The wall in the foreground is part of the ruins of the ancient British hill fort that once topped this fell.

Knott to the left, High Pike to the right.

Bowscale Fell and Blencathra.

Bowscale Tarn below Bowscale Fell, Blencathra beyond with a fresh dusting of snow from Round Knott.

Sharp Edge is visible on the left in the close up.

The view from Round Knott.

The panorama to the west from the path to High Pike.

Looking back to Carrock Fell from Miton Hill, the cairn on Round Knott to the right.

Golden sunshine on the way to High Pike.

The summit of High Pike.

Casper makes himself comfortable.

It is a bit clearer to the north with a view across the Solway Firth to Criffel.

The route of descent is down West Fell.

The eastern face of High Pike - Dry Gill to the left, Red Covercloth centre and Driggeth Beck to the right. There is evidence of lots of mining activity around here.

High Pike from West Fell.

Sunny Bank.

Crossing Carrock Beck.

Carrock Beck.

What better way to finish off a walk to High Pike...

Hesket Newmarket lies to the north west of High Pike and Hesket Newmarket Brewery is owned by a co-operative of villagers including Sir Chris Bonington. It is available at a fantastic shop in Bowness!

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