Wetherlam

Walked on 24/11/2016

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 648 metres Time Taken: 2 hours Start Time: 10:00

Weather: Sunny and clear, 2C

What a beautiful day for a walk out in lovely winter conditions. There was just the right amount of snow and barely a breath of a breeze and on the top, fabulous views forever and sunshine that was alpine warm. Perfect.

Tilberthwaite from the start of the climb and what a beautiful day.

Fletcher leads the way to Wetherlam.

A new cairn at the head of Tilberthwaite - a fine one it is too.

Steel Edge.

The icy path.

Looking down.

The three of us.

A fine view along Coniston.

The Old Man.

Distant Howgills.

Helvellyn and Fairfield have a good covering of snow.

Swirl How.

A grand day out on the top of Wetherlam.

Sunny and quite warm on the top. One of those two recognised us so it was good to chat for a while.

Scafells to Bowfell.

Descending Wetherlam Edge.

Wetherlam Edge from Birk Fell.

Dougal and Fletcher, ever faithful.

The Langdale Pikes and Blea Tarn.

A mono view of Steel Edge.

Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell

Height: 525 metres / 1722 feet Grid reference: NY 29568 01705

The summit of Birk Fell

Wetherlam, Steel Edge and Wetherlam Edge

Walked on 16/01/2013

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 648 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:25

Weather: Freezing. -1oC

There is plenty of snow around to quite a low level at the moment and the valley roads are treacherously icy in places. I left Casper at home today (by the fire, of course!) as he feels the cold these days (he is no spring chicken) and with young Dougal by my side climbed to Wetherlam via Steel Edge and descended by way of treacherous Wetherlam Edge. It was a bit of a monochrome day with no contrast between the sky and the snow covered land making the task of getting decent photos even harder than usual!

The Coniston Fells from Torver.

It was a freezing cold day, here looking back over Tilberthwaite.

Wetherlam across Tilberthwaite Gill.

Tilberthwaite, the winter wonderland.

Winter sky over Morecambe Bay.

The way to the top of Wetherlam via Steel Edge.

Steel Edge. Crampons were required to climb it this morning.

Looking back down Steel Edge.

The view to Coniston Water.

The Old Man (and the young!) and Brim Fell.

A panoramic view of the Coniston fells, select on the image to see a larger version.

The Langdale Pikes from the summit of Wetherlam.

Dougal snow-beard.

The descent of Wetherlam Edge was quite hairy in places - I had crampons on at the top but there wasn't really enough snow for them so I ended up with spikes on and an ice-axe for this one.

Mist forming in Greenburn below on the descent of Wetherlam Edge.

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Pike o' Blisco with Greenburn Reservoir below.

A distant view across freezing Lakeland to Helvellyn and Fairfield.

Looking back up Wetherlam Edge.

Wetherlam.

The Langdales from Birk Fell.

Passing the Larch trees in Tilberthwaite.

Wetherlam Edge.

Steel Edge. Select on the image to see an overlaid route.

Wetherlam

Walked on 05/03/2012

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 648 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:10

Weather: Long sunny spells, cold wind. 8C

The weather was gorgeous this morning, being really clear in the south western corner of the Lakes. There seemed to be a bit of cloud around the fell tops beyond but Wetherlam was a great walk to do on a day like this – I did have to keep well wrapped up on the Wetherlam ridge though as it was colder than it looks.

Wetherlam route map.

The Coniston fells from Torver.

Wetherlam looking good in the sunshine.

Walking through the old quarry workings from Tilberthwaite.

Looking down over Tilberthwaite to snow capped Fairfield.

Crossing Crook Beck.

Blake Rigg from the start of the climb up Steel Edge.

Steel Edge, today's route to Wetherlam.

Steel Edge again - the first part of the ridge is an easy walk; the second, rocky section is a scramble.

Casper enjoys the sunshine though the wind is cold climbing here.

The final grassy section before the scramble.

Scrambled dogs giving me the hurry up call.

Steel Edge from the top.

The Old Man and Brim Fell from the top of Lad Stones.

Great How Crags and Swirl How.

The path to the summit.

Looking across the large tarn at the south eastern end of Wetherlam.

...and again from a little higher up. The tarn is part frozen and the wind was really cold along here.

Swirl How and Prison Band, Great Carrs to the right.

The Scafells in cloud, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from the summit of Wetherlam.

Casper and Dougal summit Wetherlam.

There is a lovely view of the Coniston fells from here, in fact I think Wetherlam has one of the best 360 views of any fell.

Looking back to the summit cairn.

Swirl How, Great Carrs and Greenburn.

The Old Man to Swirl How.

Cold Pike, Red Tarn, Pike o' Blisco and beyond.

This north side of Wetherlam was quite icy and treacherous in places, here looking down Wetherlam Edge into Little Langdale.

Crinkles and Bowfell, clear of cloud now.

Looking back to Wetherlam Edge.

Birk Fell Man. It was like Piccadilly Circus around here for some reason and there were lots of people out enjoying the good weather. It seems we all converged on Birk Fell Man at the same time from different directions!

Wetherlam Edge and Great Carrs.

The Langdale Pikes, Blea Tarn and Side Pike central.

Wetherlam Edge and Tilberthwaite Larches. On the way home...

Looking across Coniston Water and Coniston to The Old Man.

Wetherlam

Walked on 29/11/2010

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 648 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 10:35

Weather: Cold and clear. -2C

Most of the high fells appeared to be in cloud but Wetherlam seemed to stand out like a beacon of light today, so that’s where I went to get a taste of the winter conditions much of the country is experiencing at the moment. The snow was dry and powdery and the going was not too bad until the descent of Wetherlam Edge which required a bit more care to be taken. It was like the Antarctic on the northern slopes during that descent with a strong (and cold) easterly blowing across the face of The Edge.

Wetherlam route map.

High Tilberthwaite.

First of all you have to get here!

Looking to the east from the climb out of Tilberthwaite.

Wetherlam above a cold looking Tilberthwaite Gill.

Above Beck Fells from Crook Beck.

At the foot of Steel Edge.

Looking down Steel Edge.

The boys are going for it!

Looking down the Edge.

Casper comes to see where I am - faffing around with crampons probably.

Steel being worn on Steel Edge today.

Winter sky and Coniston Water.

The Howgills.

The Far Eastern Fells.

The Fairfield fells.

Dougal has a look at The Old Man.

The Coniston Fells (and Dougal) panoramic.

The Ill Bell ridge is lit by the sun.

It was cold along the ridge.

Golden Morecambe Bay.

Looking back along the trail blazed.

Cloudy Scafells from frozen Wetherlam summit.

Looking across to Helvellyn.

The snow-Beardies.

The Coniston fells.

Descending Wetherlam Edge - first of all we have to find it Dougal.

Come on, we can do it!

Pike o' Blisco.

Looking back up from the foot of Wetherlam Edge.

Crinkle Crags in cloud from Birk Fell Man.

Some bloke I met.

Winter Larch on the descent.

All is mono in Tilberthwaite Gill.

Windermere.

Wetherlam from Waterhead, Ambleside - late afternoon.

Wetherlam

Walked on 09/11/2010

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 648 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 40 minutes Start Time: 9:20

Weather: Windy, snowy, sleety, coldy. 5C

The wet weather of last week has made way for much colder winter weather with snow lying on the high fells. The snow made it quite tough going, both on the climb up Steel Edge and the descent of Wetherlam Edge – the walk took 40 minutes longer than last time I did it in April. Once up on the Wetherlam ridge, all hell was let loose with the wind and driven sleet/snow making it easily the coldest and most extreme walk since last winter.

Wetherlam route map.

High Tilberthwaite.

First of all you have to get here!

Looking to the east from the climb out of Tilberthwaite.

Wetherlam above a cold looking Tilberthwaite Gill.

Above Beck Fells from Crook Beck.

At the foot of Steel Edge.

Looking down Steel Edge.

The boys are going for it!

Looking down the Edge.

Casper comes to see where I am - faffing around with crampons probably.

Steel being worn on Steel Edge today.

Winter sky and Coniston Water.

The Howgills.

The Far Eastern Fells.

The Fairfield fells.

Dougal has a look at The Old Man.

The Coniston Fells (and Dougal) panoramic.

The Ill Bell ridge is lit by the sun.

It was cold along the ridge.

Golden Morecambe Bay.

Looking back along the trail blazed.

Cloudy Scafells from frozen Wetherlam summit.

Looking across to Helvellyn.

The snow-Beardies.

The Coniston fells.

Descending Wetherlam Edge - first of all we have to find it Dougal.

Come on, we can do it!

Pike o' Blisco.

Looking back up from the foot of Wetherlam Edge.

Crinkle Crags in cloud from Birk Fell Man.

Some bloke I met.

Winter Larch on the descent.

All is mono in Tilberthwaite Gill.

Windermere.

Wetherlam from Waterhead, Ambleside - late afternoon.

Wetherlam

Walked on 14/04/2010

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 648 metres Time Taken: 2 hours Start Time: 08:25

Weather: Sunny, 12C

It‘s seems like a while since I have been on the high fells due to Easter holidays and other commitments but what a glorious day for a return; the weather really was fantastic. The light was just gorgeous on the fells and it felt good to be alive up there today. The sunshine in the photos probably gives a false impression though as it was not as warm as it looks higher up and on the Wetherlam ridge the wind was pretty icy.

Wetherlam route map.

Early at Tilberthwaite, the cloud is shrouding the eastern fells.

Heading for Wetherlam above Yewdale Beck.

The view across Tilberthwaite from higher up.

Crossing Crook Beck.

Yes Dougal, we are going up there.

Steel Edge, Wetherlam.

The bookends contemplate Steel Edge.

Looking back down Steel Edge.

Dougal, all a blur.

'If you have never climbed Wetherlam by Steel Edge, then you have never lived'...Dougal, 2010.

Getting higher.

Getting the hurry up call from the two four leg drive dogs.

Coniston Water from Red Gill Head.

The view across to The Old Man.

The Wetherlam ridge.

A panoramic view from Red Gil Head.

Coniston Old Man with Low Water and Levers Water in view.

The Old Man and Brim Fell from Wetherlam Tarn.

Wetherlam Edge and beyond from the Wetherlam ridge.

Swirl How.

The Langdale Pikes and Helvellyn from the summit of Wetherlam.

Casper and Dougal with lengthening tongues. although the sun was shining the walk along the ridge was accompanied by a cold wind and it was touch and go whether gloves and hat were needed.

The Coniston fells from Wetherlam - from The Old Man to Swirl How.

The Scafells and Bowfell are cloud covered for now.

Wetherlam Edge and Little Langdale Tarn.

The Langdale Pikes and Blea Tarn.

The last few patches of snow on the descent of Wetherlam Edge.

This descent gave those new Salomon's a good workout.

Wetherlam Edge from the bottom.

The summit of Birk Fell.

Wetherlam Edge from Birk Fell.

Wetherlam and Larches.

Panoramic Wetherlam.

Passing below Steel Edge, the route used in ascent.

Looking back from the path to Tilberthwaite.

Crossing Yewdale Beck.

Back to Tilberthwaite.

Wetherlam

Walked on 10/06/2009

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 648 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Generally dull with the odd bright spell. 15C.

It was lovely and still on the top of Wetherlam this morning and really peaceful and quite warm. The distant views were generally hazy once more but Steel Edge is a great way to climb this fell with an equally good route of descent via Wetherlam Edge.

Wetherlam route map.

High Tilberthwaite.

Casper has a look into the disused quarries.

Wetherlam from Yewdale Beck.

Casper checks the route along Steel Edge. Was that a gulp I heard?

Steel Edge.

On the climb.

Looking back down Steel Edge across Blake Rigg towards Fairfield...somewhere through the haze!

Coniston Water from Above Beck Fells.

The Old Man of Coniston and Brim Fell with Low Water below.

The tourist path to The Old Man through he quarry workings.

Great How Crags and Swirl How from an un-named tarn on the Wetherlam ridge. The stillness of the tarn shows how breathless it was up here today and the peace and quiet was deafening!

First view of the Scafells to the left, walking the ridge to the summit up on the right.

The Old Man and Brim Fell from another tarn along the ridge.

The summit of Wetherlam with Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Pike o' Blisco and the Langdale Pikes (and Casper) in view.

Are you happy Casper?

Prison Band and Swirl How across Black Sails.

The Scafells beyond Little Stand.

Greenburn and Little Langdale Tarn from the top of Wetherlam.

A clear view to Cold Pike, Scafell Pike, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell with Red Tarn lying in the hollow below Cold Pike.

Bowfell.

Descending Wetherlam Edge.

Looking back to Wetherlam, Wetherlam Edge to the right.

These two walkers give Wetherlam Edge some scale.

The view from Birk Fell Man.

Wetherlam Edge from Birk Fell Man.

Steel Edge from the descent into Tilberthwaite.

Wetherlam from Tilberthwaite.

Tilberthwaite Gill.

Wetherlam

Walked on 05/09/2007

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Tilberthwaite Gill – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Wetherlam Edge – Wetherlam – Black Sails – Red Dell – Hole Rake – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 6 miles Total Ascent: 880 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Clear at first, mist and drizzle later. 19oC.

Everywhere but Wetherlam seemed to be in cloud this morning when I set out; it was basking under a lovely blue sky, but that quickly changed during the ascent of Wetherlam Edge. I thought it would be an interesting addition to drop down to Red Dell following the Black Sails ridge but it proved to be a tough climb back up to Hole Rake and over to Tilberthwaite.

First glimpse of Wetherlam from the sheepfold above the bridge across Tilberthwaite Gill.

Wetherlam from Dry Cove Bottom.

Steel Edge.

It looks nice and clear on Wetherlam at the moment.

Heading for Birk Fell.

A profile of Wetherlam Edge, today's route of ascent.

Again, from the climb to Birk Fell.

Casper on Birk Fell Man.

Pike o' Blisco catches a few rays of sunshine in between cloud cover across Greenburn.

The Langdale Pikes and Blea Tarn.

...and closer up.

Angus in the sunshine.

Wet Side Edge across Greenburn.

Wetherlam Edge.

Climbing Wetherlam Edge - these two seem to know the way!

Looking back down Wetherlam Edge to Little Langdale Tarn as the clouds start to roll in.

Made it! Angus and Casper have a rest in the eerie light on the summit of Wetherlam. We were to be in the clouds for a little while now.

Red Dell suddenly appears from the mist whilst walking the Black Sails ridge.

Looking down on Levers Water.

Coppermines Valley and Coniston Water from the ruins of the Red Dell mine workings.

A thick band of cloud on The Old Man.

Heading east back to Tilberthwaite along Hole Rake.

A final view of Wetherlam from Tilberthwaite Gill.

Wetherlam

Walked on 21/03/2007

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.4 miles Total Ascent: 693 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Sunny and clear. 7oC.

The weather today was fantastic with clear views for miles and cold, frozen ground making almost perfect walking conditions. This is a favourite shorter walk of mine, the walks along Steel Edge and Wetherlam Edge being the best way to climb this fell. Wetherlam Edge was treacherous in places with sheet ice which could catch out the unwary.

Looking across the slate spoil heaps and Low Tilberthwaite to the Fairfield group of fells.

Lad Stones above Tilberthwaite Gill.

Crossing Crook Beck.

Heading for Steel Edge.

Hen Crag on the eastern face of Wetherlam.

The eastern fells across Tilberthwaite from Steel Edge.

Climbing Steel Edge.

Angus enjoying a bit of sunshine.

An icy Steel Edge.

Looking down Steel Edge.

More ice.

Coniston Old Man and Brim Fell come into view at the top of Steel Edge. Casper has a quick lie down!

The Old Man across a frozen tarn.

Low Water in view below Brim Fell and The Old Man.

Looking across to Fairfield.

The Old Man with the summit cairn and trig. column in view.

All is frozen on the Wetherlam ridge - nowhere for a drink or a swim for Casper.

Blencathra and the Helvellyn ridge.

Swirl Band, Swirl How and Great Carrs.

Tongues out on the summit of Wetherlam for Angus and Casper.

The Scafell range.

Swirl How and Great Carrs from the summit of Wetherlam.

Bow Fell.

Slight Side and Scafell.

Scafell Pike.

The Langdale Pikes.

Blencathra.

A lovely view over the Wrynose Pass to Red Tarn with Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell beyond, Scafell Pike to the left.

The distant Fairfield Horseshoe over Little Langdale Tarn.

Casper in the sun.

The view from Wetherlam Edge.

Wetherlam Edge.

...and from further down.

Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and Pike o' Blisco.

As I descended Wetherlam Edge, a military helicopter was buzzing round. It landed on the summit, took off again and then landed here at the top of Steel Edge. Looks like an easier way to get to the top!

Helvellyn and Fairfield.

Looking across to the recently descended Wetherlam Edge.

Wetherlam.

Steel Edge.

Wetherlam from the top of Tilberthwaite Gill.

Wetherlam

Walked on 09/02/2006

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – Steel Edge – Wetherlam – Wetherlam Edge – Birk Fell Man on Birk Fell (459) – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 5.2 miles Total Ascent: 700 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Clear with an icy wind. 2°C.

I hadn’t intended to go out today, but you know what it’s like – the sun is shining, the sky is clear blue, the dog has to be walked…What better than a walk up old favourite Wetherlam? Crystal clear views everywhere today and Angus bumped into a ‘mirror’ as well!

Coniston Old Man from Torver.

Wetherlam from the same place. It seems like a good place to go.

Out of the shadows of Tilberthwaite heading for Wetherlam.

Looking back over Tilberthwaite to the eastern fells.

It's nice in the sun Angus.

The climb up Steel Edge - Angus is camouflaged on this one.

Looking out over Coniston Moor.

Icicles on Steel Edge.

Looking down Steel Edge.

Coniston Old Man.

Great How Crags and Swirl How.

Coniston Water.

A panoramic view to the east from Wetherlam. Select on the image for a larger version.

No chance of a swim or a drink in this frozen tarn!

Looking over to the Coniston fells from another frozen summit tarn.

It was sooo cold on the summit, with an icy wind that cut right through every layer of clothing.

Great Carrs above Greenburn.

The Scafells, Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell with Cold Pike and Red Tarn in the foreground.

Bow Fell.

Scafell.

Pike o' Stickle.

Fairfield.

Looking down an icy Wetherlam Edge with Little Langdale Tarn in the centre. Teacherous in places, Angus certainly did a bit of slip-sliding down here.

Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell with Pike o' Blisco in the centre and the Glaramara ridge beyond.

Seeing double? Mirror image? No, it's another fell walking Beardie!

I don't know how I missed Birk Fell Man (a Birkett summit) all the other times I have walked this way, but I did! This view of Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and Pike o' Blisco is from there.

The Langdale Pikes, Blea Tarn visible bottom right.

Wetherlam with Wetherlam Edge on the right.