Wednesday 7th March 2012

Start point: Long House at the foot of the Walna Scar Road near Seathwaite, Duddon Valley (SD 239 968)

Long House - Walna Scar road - White Pike - White Maiden - Walna Scar (OF) - Walna Scar Road - Long House

Distance: 3.5 miles     Total Ascent: 460 metres     Time Taken: 1 hours 30 minutes     Start Time: 13:30

Weather: A real mixed bag but generally a cold wind. 5oC

Route Map

The snow seems to have disappeared from all the south western fells now. Today was a real mixed bag of weather but an enjoyable climb up through the Walna Scar Quarries up to White Pike and White Maiden. It seems like ages since I have been this way so it was a welcome (if a bit fresh) return.

There's a touch of blue sky up there, looking up to White Pike from the bottom of the Walna Scar Road.

Harter Fell across Long House Gill and it's looking a bit grey over there.

The view from higher up the track with a glimpse of Scafell to the right.

White Pike and the disused tips from the Walna Scar Quarry.

Light and dark, looking across to Black Scar.

The gentler south western side of Dow Crag. You would never guess what the eastern face of it was like from here.

The Cove.

Green Crag and Harter Fell across ruined quarry buildings.

The Scafells are missing in action over there somewhere.

Walna Scar Quarry.

From the quarry it is a steep and direct climb to White Pike. The wind really picked up climbing up here (as Casper and Dougal demonstrate) and with it came the rain.

...but the strong wind blew the clouds right away by the time I reached the summit cairn of White Pike and the Scafells are magically revealed once more.

Looking along Broughton Moor to the Duddon Estuary, Black Combe to the right.

Broughton Moor Slate Quarry below, beyond is Beacon Fell and Beacon Tarn with a glimpse of Coniston Water.

White Pike.

The Coniston fells from White Pike.

Scafell and Scafell Pike with the ridge of Hard Knott central.

Esk Pike and Bowfell.

A lovely view of the Scafells now across one of the un-named tarns on White Maiden.

The summit of White Maiden.

Coniston Water.

It's like a different day altogether walking the White Maiden ridge.

Heading for the small lump of Walna Scar looking to Dow Crag, Buck Pike and Brown Pike. On the distant right is The Old Man.

Harter Fell.

The top of Walna Scar and as if by magic the weather completely changed again as it went very grey...time for a quick exit.

Back down to the bottom of the Duddon side of the Walna Scar Road, this is Long House Gill from the small bridge.

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