Tuesday 8th December 2009

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale - Thornhow End - Black Crag  - Birks - Trough Head - Arnison Crag - Patterdale Hotel - Patterdale

Distance: 3.7 miles    Total Ascent: 515 metres     Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Changeable but dry. 7oC

Route Map

Today was another 'Dougal length' walk as I am mindful that he is still only a pup and we can't go too far just yet, eager though he may be! We had a walk around Glenamara Park taking in Birks and Arnison Crag and the weather started off clear enough but there were soon ominous looking clouds around blown in by the strong wind which proved to be a real cold blast.

Thornhow End from the foot of the climb.

The first view of Ullswater from the climb through the trees.

Place Fell is on fire.

The view to Glenridding and Ullswater from the climb.

Ullswater with Great Mell Fell and Gowbarrow Park beyond.

Place Fell across Patterdale.

High Spying How - the start of Striding Edge - and Birkhouse Moor across Grisedale.

The sun is trying to burn through the clouds looking across to Arnison Crag.

The boys take an alternative path on this steep section.

Bleaberry Crags and the wall of 'Hole-in-the-Wall' fame with the pointed Catstycam in view.

Ullswater and Place Fell from the start of the Birks summit plateau.

I think Dougal and Casper are playing 'catch one kiss one' on the way to Birks summit!

Birks with Saint Sunday Crag covered in ominous looking clouds behind.

Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn are under there somewhere.

There is an arctic blast and heavy clouds now at the start of the descent towards Arnison Crag, here looking across to Hartsop.

Arnison Crag from the steep descent alongside the wall. I left it at the bottom right corner to follow the top of the ridge.

Ullswater from Trough Head.

Looking back to Gavel Pike and Saint Sunday Crag.

Birks and the wall.

Arnison Crag ahead, Place Fell beyond.

A bit of sunshine again over Hartsop Dodd.

Birks from Arnison Crag.

'Tonight Matthew I'm going to be Angus'. Dougal does a good impression of the old boy in the strong wind.

Dougal and Casper on Arnison Crag.

You can see how strong the wind is now by the ripples on Ullswater.

Hartsop from Arnison Crag.

Descending alongside the wall.

Glenridding and Glenridding Dodd.

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