Monday 18th May 2009

There were two walks today, both in the pursuit of Casper bagging the last few of his remaining Wainwright fells. The first was a short and easy one up to Latrigg - I guess I am guilty of always bypassing this one for the lure of the higher fells. The second walk took in the fells around Loweswater. This area is probably the longest drive for me to get to from home, so I guess that is why they get neglected...

Walk 1

Start point: Gale Road End (NY 281 253)

Latrigg from Gale Road

Distance: 1 mile     Total Ascent: 90 metres     Time Taken: 15 minutes

Weather: Damp. 10oC.

Skiddaw well hidden by cloud from the start of the climb to Latrigg.

Little Man and a little man.

No, not looking! Casper on Latrigg.

Walk 2

Start point: Loweswater (NY 143 211)

Loweswater - Foulsyke - Thackthwaite - Fellbarrow - Low Fell - Loweswater - Mosedale - Hen Comb - Loweswater

Distance: 11.2 miles     Total Ascent: 909 metres     Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Rain. 13oC.

Route Map

Loweswater Fell through the rain from the field crossing to Foulsyke.

Whiteside and Grasmoor.

Looking back to Mellbreak. These are all 'smash and grab' photos taken in short interludes in the rain.

Whiteside from Latterhead.

That was about it for photos for a while. The heavens really opened as I climbed to Fellbarrow from Thackthwaite, then on the final climb to Fellbarrow the wind whipped up and the rain began to fall in monsoon like conditions!

A quick-snatch photo on Fellbarrow with a half-drowned Casper. We didn't hang around on here - come on, let's go!

I think the walk between here and Low Fell was the wettest weather I have ever been in. It was like standing under the shower it was that bad, with the water absolutely pouring down my face and off my waterproofs. I thought I wouldn't see anyone today...until I bumped into a couple of hardy StridingEdge followers who managed to recognise us despite the damp conditions.

Crummock Water and Mellbreak from Low Fell, the rain has blown out for a little while now.

The steep descent down alongside the fence.

Crummock Water and Rannerdale Knotts.

Here it comes again - hang on to your hats!

Loweswater Fell from the bottom and there is even a hint of blue sky now.

Mellbreak with Hen Comb to the right, where we are off next.

Shapely Mellbreak.

Hmm, there was a problem here at the crossing of Mosedale Beck. There had been that much rain that the stepping stones were under all that water somewhere! There was only one thing for it if I was to get to Hen Comb today and that was walk to the bridge at the southern end of the valley.

Hen Comb and Mosedale Beck.

Sunshine on Gale Fell and Mosedale from the oh-so steep climb to Hen Comb.

Mellbreak in sun, Grasmoor beyond.

'I don't believe it!'. Loweswater is sunny now but the wind was fierce.

Great Borne from Hen Comb.

It was really windy on the summit of Hen Comb. If Casper had a bit more hair, he would have shown you just how much!

Buttermere view.

Mosedale from the descent (which had to be the same way due to the river crossing problem).

I think that look says it all Casper - just where did that blue sky come from?

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