Birks

Walked on 09/06/2015

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 Start Time: 10.30

Weather: Changeable but dry. 7ºC

The weather turned out to be one of the poorer days in the middle of a stunning week this week…but you have to take your opportunities when you can so that’s what we did when we had a short walk up to two of the smaller fells at the head of Ullswater.

Birks Route Map

A brief glimmer of sunshine at the start of the walk looking to Thornhow End.

Walking through the sylvan landscape.

Looking back to Ullswater and Place fell.

St. Sunday ahead.

It's all tongues for Fletcher and Dougal.

The summit of Birks.

There is a great view across to the Far Eastern fells descending to Trough Head from Birks. Here we found a bright red tennis ball sized ball - Fletcher must have gone up and down 20 times chasing it.

The approach to Arnison Crag.

The summit of Arnison Crag.

The descent to Patterdale.

Birks

Height: 622 metres / 2041 feet Grid reference: NY 38177 14486 Category: The Eastern Fells

Birks

Hartsop on the descent from Birks

Grisedale Horseshoe

Walked on 12/10/2010

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale – Hole-in-the-Wall – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike – High Crag – Dollywaggon Pike – Seat Sandal – Deepdale Hause – Saint Sunday Crag – Birks – Patterdale

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1419 metres Time Taken: 6 hours Start Time: 06:45

Weather: Sunny and clear. 13C

I was up early this morning to make the most of the expected good weather to come for the day. I wasn’t disappointed and it turned into a fantastic and memorable day on the fells with incredible clarity and an inversion over the Lake District as well. When I set off from Patterdale this morning (in the dark!), the temperature gauge was showing -1C but once the sun rose it was really warm and I ended up completing the walk in shirt sleeves.

Grisedale route map.

It was below freezing when I left Patterdale and pretty chilly climbing to the Hole-in-the-Wall, here looking back towards Patterdale with Ullswater under the early morning mist.

Sun rising but not visible here yet. That mist is following me up the valley below.

The sun rising over High Street.

All a-glow heading for the Hole-in-the-Wall.

Beautiful sunrise and the inversion has flooded into Grisedale.

Climbing the steep section of the path.

Looking to Birkhouse Moor from the Hole. All the low lying ground to the east is covered with mist.

Helvellyn and Catstycam at dawn.

A panoramic view.

Looking back from the climb to High Spying How.

Even the normally dull as ditchwater Great Mell Fell looks good today, taking on a special interest in the inversion.

The Mell Fells and Gowbarrow Fell rise from the mist, Sheffield Pike in the foreground.

The mighty Striding Edge.

Flat calm Red Tarn.

The view from High Spying How.

Crossing The Edge.

Red Tarn and Catstycam.

Panoramic Red Tarn.

Looking down on Striding Edge.

There is a big inversion to the south too looking over the cross shelter. In fact the whole Lake District is surrounded by the inversion.

The view from the summit of Helvellyn.

Dougal and Casper on the summit.

The 'Isle of Skiddaw', the Vale of Keswick is beneath the cloud somewhere.

A panoramic view of the Vale of Keswick.

Swirral Edge and Catstycam, the Pennines beyond Ullswater.

Cross Fell beyond Ullswater.

Looking into the bright sunshine from Helvellyn.

Looking to the south west from the path to Nethermost Pike. That distant fell (Black Combe), in solitary peeping out in the clouds intrigued me - I wonder what it would be like to be stood on the top of it? Actually, I have had a similar experience on Hard Knott with Connie (here) and you never know whether you will actually ever get above the cloud.

All clear over Bowfell, Scafell and Great Gable.

Striding Edge.

Misty Grisedale.

The view from Nethermost Pike.

Casper takes it easy heading for Dollywaggon Pike.

The Solway Firth is also under inversion between Robinson and Grasmoor to the north.

Dollywaggon Pike from the steep climb to Seat Sandal.

Thirlmere under cloud and Skiddaw from Seat Sandal.

The Vale of Grasmere.

Thirlmere

Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield from the descent of Seat Sandal.

Seat Sandal from the start of the climb to Fairfield.

I took the path to Deepdale Hause which turned out to be a good one to get to Saint Sunday, well worth a go. It was cold along here though in the shade looking down on Grisedale Tarn.

Seat Sandal and Grisedale Tarn.

Fairfield and Cofa Pike from Deepdale Hause.

Dollywaggon Pike across Grisedale.

Looking west from the climb to Saint Sunday Crag.

The Helvellyn ridge.

The summit of Saint Sunday Crag.

Heading for Birks below, Place Fell beyond.

Dougal and Casper on Birks.

Looking back to Saint Sunday from Birks.

On the edge of heaven?

Ullswater panoramic.

Place Fell.

Glenamara Park

Walked on 08/12/2009

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

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.

Glenamara Park route map.

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.

Glenamara Park

Walked on 06/03/2007

Start point: Grisedale Bridge (NY 390 161)

Grisedale Bridge – Birks – Arnison Crag – Patterdale – Grisedale Bridge

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 520 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Overcast. 10oC.

It was a bit grey and damp for a short walk circling Glenamara Park above Patterdale, but at least it wasn’t raining after the downpour of last night. Everywhere was very wet though and the wind on the tops was quite chilly with only brief glimpses of sunshine to provide some cheer.

The steep path to Birks from Glenamara Park.

There was an occasional touch of blue sky to the north-west, here looking to Ullswater from the climb to Birks.

Place Fell.

Time for a rest for Angus and Casper.

The breeze picked up as we got higher - Casper has spotted something in Grisedale Valley below.

Saint Sunday Crag with some stubborn snow still lingering, Dollywagon Pike and Nethermost Pike to the right.

Gavel Pike and Saint Sunday Crag from the summit of Birks, Hart Crag to the left.

Descending by the broken wall to Trough Head with the Arnison Crag ridge in the centre.

Arnison Crag and Place Fell.

Looking back to a prominent Gavel Pike and Saint Sunday Crag.

Ullswater from Arnison Crag.

Place Fell from the summit of Arnison Crag.

There was lots of rain last night - the fields south of Patterdale are flooded, as are many parts of the road.

Sunshine across Deepdale. Hartsop Dodd beyond the Hartsop above How ridge.

Hartsop Dodd, Caudale Moor beyond.

Ullswater from the descent to Patterdale.

Birks across Glenamara Park.

Deepdale Horseshoe

Walked on 01/11/2006

Start point: Deepdale Bridge (NY 399 144)

Deepdale Bridge – Gale Crag – Hartsop Above How – Hart Crag – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Gavel Pike – Birks – Arnison Crag – Deepdale Bridge

Distance: 10.3 miles Total Ascent: 1431 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Clear and cold, especially on the highest tops. 9oC.

After a cold and frosty night, it was a really clear day today with lovely blue skies and autumnal colours all around Deepdale. The Hartsop above How ridge is a fine walk and the return across Fairfield and St. Sunday Crag makes a lovely circuit of the valley. Angus and Casper managed to get recognised again on St. Sunday Crag by a StridingEdge fan, and (by default) so did I!

Autumnal Deepdale at the start of the walk.

Gavel Pike on St. Sunday Crag from the Hartsop above How ridge.

St. Sunday Crag across Deepdale.

Looking back to Place Fell.

Angletarn Pikes.

St. Sunday Crag.

Onward and upward - looking back to Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes.

Looking along the ridge to Hart Crag and Fairfield.

Angus.

A pair of Beardies on Hartsop above How. Down below in Dovedale, I could see foxhounds and hear the constant shouts and blowing horn of the huntsmen. Not sure what they hunt these days, though!

Looking across an icy pool to Hart Crag and Fairfield.

Fairfield.

Looking down the Hartsop above How ridge from Hart Crag.

Shooting into direct sunlight, not a good idea - but I liked the way the sun lit up Windermere and Morecambe Bay from Hart Crag.

The summit of Hart Crag.

The western fells from Fairfield, the familiar shape of Great Gable to the left.

...and a wider panorama.

Great Gable.

Looks busy over on Helvellyn.

Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn across Grisedale.

Cofa Pike and St. Sunday Crag.

Seat Sandal above Grisedale Tarn and the view westwards beyond from Cofa Pike.

Dollywagon Pike.

The summit of St. Sunday Crag - it's starting to cloud a bit now.

Gavel Pike and the Far Eastern fells from St. Sunday Crag. I could hear the bellowing of stags somewhere down below from here.

Ullswater and Birks from Gavel Pike.

Birks.

Hartsop on the descent from Birks.

Ullswater and Great Mell Fell from Trough Head.

Hartsop from the summit of Arnison Crag.

Just the three of us here on Arnison Crag.

Place Fell and Autumn in Deepdale.

Fairfield

Walked on 12/04/2005

Start point: Cow Bridge, Hartsop (NY 403 134)

Cow Bridge – Gale Crag (322) – Hartsop Above How (323) – Hart Crag – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag –Gavel Pike – Birks (324) – Arnison Crag (325) – Cow Bridge

Distance: 9.7 miles Total Ascent: 1385 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Sunny with a strong breeze. 8oC in the valley rising to 12oC. Icy cold on the tops.

I had a great high level ridge walk today along the Hartsop above How ridge, up to Hart Crag and Fairfield and then back down along the Saint Sunday ridge. It was a pleasant surprise to see the sunshine, but it was deceptively cold on the tops with a bitter wind blowing. With hindsight I would have been better off starting and finishing at Deepdale Bridge and walking the full Hartsop above How ridge.

Fairfield route map.

Elevation profile of the route.

3D image of the walk route.

Caudale Moor, Kirkstone Pass and Red Screes in early sunlight from the steep ascent to the Hartsop Above How ridge.

Hartsop Dodd over Brothers Water. To the left are Gray Crag and High Street.

Place Fell from Gale Crag summit. Great Mell Fell can be seen to the left.

The view along the ridge from the summit of Hartsop above How.

Dove Crag.

Looking back along Hartsop above How from Hart Crag.

The view from Rydal Head. Windermere, Esthwaite Water and Coniston Water are all visible.

Fairfield summit.

Cofa Pike to the left and Saint Sunday Crag.

Grisedale Tarn and the Dollywagon Pike - Nethermost Pike - Helvellyn ridge.

Striding Edge and Helvellyn from Saint Sunday Crag. The peak of Catstycam is to the right, then Raise and the Dodd's.

Gavel Pike and Saint Sunday Crag from Birks.

Ullswater from Arnison Crag.

Arnison Crag.

Helvellyn

Walked on 07/11/2003

Patterdale – Birkhouse Moor (140) – Striding Edge – Helvellyn – Nethermost Pike (141) – Dollywaggon Pike (142) – Seat Sandal (143) Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag – Birks – Patterdale

Dollywagon Pike and Nethermost Pike from the Grisedale Valley.

View of Ullswater from the climb up to Birkhouse Moor. Glenridding Dodd is on the left with Place Fell over the water.

The Helvellyn ridge from Birkhouse Moor. L-R Striding Edge, Helvellyn, Swirral Edge and Catstycam

...and the same view from Birkhouse Moor summit cairn.

Striding Edge.

View from Helvellyn summit.

Birkhouse Moor and Ullswater from Helvellyn.

Striding Edge from Nethermost Pike summit.

Place Fell and Beda Fell from Nethermost Pike summit.

Dollywagon Pike overlooking Saint Sunday Crag.

Grasmere and Coniston from Seat Sandal summit.

Looking back from Fairfield summit towards Dollywagon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn.

Grisedale Tarn from Cofa Pike.

Looking towards the High Street range from the summit of St. Sunday Crag.

The sun descending behind St. Sunday Crag from Birks summit.

Fairfield

Walked on 12/06/2003

Ambleside – Nab Scar (39) – Heron Pike (40) – Stone Arthur (41) – Great Rigg (42) – Fairfield (43) – St Sunday Crag (44) – Birks (45) – Patterdale – Kirkstone Pass – Ambleside