Brock Barrow

Walked on 17/08/2015

Start Point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes Start Time: 17:00

Weather: Warm and sunny. 18°C

Time for a late afternoon walk up to Brock Barrow after a fabulous day of sunny weather – there are great views from up there on a day such as this.

Peek-a-boo in the high bracken, Brock Barrow ahead.

...and again on the ascent.

Looking across allan Tarn at the southern end of Coniston Water.

Fletcher - feeling in the pink.

The Coniston fells from the summit cairn.

A panorama of the Coniston fells.

Brothers in arms - Dougal and Fletcher.

It\'s a beautiful evening.

The view from the secondary summit.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 02/03/2015

Start Point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes Start Time: 10:15

Weather: Heavy snow showers, 1°C

Everywhere I went this morning there were heavy snow showers with it settling on the roads in many places. I ended up deciding on a short walk to somewhere that was not too high given the wind strength down at valley level and ended up getting a pleasant surprise with the way the weather turned out. Given the earlier conditions I don’t think I could have asked for any more.

An open invitation to StridingEdge fans - what are you doing at Easter? It would be great to see you at the launch of the latest Wainwright book update.

I didn't hold out much hope for this short walk, this is what it was like most of the morning and it continued as I set off towards Brock Barrow.

Lo and behold - 5 minutes later the wind had blown away the snow shower and there was a blue sky up there!

The Crake Valley from the climb.

Near the top now and there is a wintry view to High Bethecar to the east.

At least I can almost see the snow clad Coniston fells from the top now.

Looking down on High Nibthwaite and Allan Tarn.

The two of them - ready to pounce.

The summit cairn.

Heading for the secondary summit, The Old Man and Wetherlam beyond.

Coniston Water.

Look into the eyes...

Yes, I can smile.

Looking across to Caw and leaden skies.

The eastern side of Coniston Water on the way down.

The Gormley statue is now imprisoned.

Beacon Fell from a full Coniston Water.

Brock Barrow

Height: 229 metres / 751 feet Grid reference: SD 29881 89881 Category: The Outlying Fells

Brock Barrow

Walked on 28/11/2014

Start Point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes Start Time: 09:00

Weather: Overcast, 6°C

Should I, shouldn’t I, should I, shouldn’t I…oh, go on then – time was very short this morning and I did intend to have a low level walk with the boys around Coniston somewhere but then was magically drawn skywards by diminutive Brock Barrow. It was a bit drab and a bit cool but watching Fletcher made me smile – it wasn’t so long ago (July 11th to be exact!) that he climbed this as a small pup and I worried whether it would be too much for the little fella. Now he is as big as Dougal and positively bounded up here…he’s going to be a fine fellwalking dog that Fletcher.

Beacon Fell across Nibthwaite.

On the way - Fletcher is watching Dougal...in the bracken somewhere!

Allan Tarn from the steep climb.

The cairn looking to Caw.

Ready to pounce.

Fluffy Fletcher.

It's a bit grey over the southern end of Coniston Water.

Onto the secondary summit.

The Watcher.

Down at Coniston Water.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 11/07/2014

Start Point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 13:30

Weather: Boiling, 25°C

Today seemed as good a day as any to get out on the fells with young Fletcher – of course, with him being so young it had to be short and sweet but he seemed to take to it okay even in the hottest of summer conditions. It was absolutely gorgeous up there today, certainly the warmest weather I have been out in for a while.

All is bright and all is green at the start of the walk from High Nibthwaite.

Looking across Allan Tarn.

Brock Barrow - lots of heat and lots of flies for us to contend with today.

The Coniston fells from the top of Brock Barrow.

Made it Fletcher - good lad!

Fletcher has more than a hint of Casper about him.

Heading for the second cairn.

Hot!

A fabulous view of Coniston Water and the fells.

Keeping an eye on things.

Back down at Coniston Water.

That looks like a good place to be.

Fletcher is a swimmer!

Our old friend keeping an eye on proceedings.

Bethecar Moor

Walked on 14/05/2013

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 295 897)

High Nibthwaite – Brock Barrow (OF) – Low Light Haw (OF) – High Light Haw (OF) – Stang Hill – Arnsbarrow Hill – Top o’ Selside(OF)– High Nibthwaite

Distance: 4.1 miles Total Ascent: 347m metres Time Taken: 1 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Sunny spells. A cool 9oC.

It may be May (!) but it doesn’t particularly feel like it, the shorts and tee shirt are still not in evidence yet. Dougal (and Casper) have gone for it though having lost their winter coats ready for the long hot summer ahead. It was just me and Dougal again today for a jaunt along the east side of Coniston Water up on Bethecar Moor, a fairly relaxed walk with some great views.

Caught in a shower heading for Brock Barrow.

Lo and behold! The sun is shining on the climb.

They made me do it.

Looking back down on the climb.

The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.

A panoramic view of the Crake Valley and the foot of Coniston Water.

Very dapper Dougal!

The Old Man and Wetherlam beyond the second summit...

...and the view from it.

The rest of the tops in this walk can be spotted from Low Light Haw - directly ahead to High Light Haw, Stang and Arnsbarrow Hill to the right and Top o' Selside distant left.

Coniston Water, Beacon Fell and Caw from High Light Haw.

The route to Stang Hill.

Heading across Stang Moss.

Helvellyn to Fairfield to Red Screes to Ill Bell from Stang Hill.

Arnsbarrow Tarn, Top o' Selside beyond.

A panorama of Arnsbarrow Tarn.

A little bit of sunshine on Top o' Selside.

Looking in the opposite direction to distant Morecambe Bay and Black Comb.

A Coniston panorama on the way back to Low Nibthwaite.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 05/04/2013

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes Start Time: 17:25

Weather: Cool. 5oC

Casper enjoyed it so much the other day I thought I’d give him the opportunity of another jaunt to a small fell, it was good to have him back although nothing has changed – he is still officially retired unfortunately.

High Nibthwaite and Beacon Fell.

Over Allan Tarn to Blawith Knott.

Brock Barrow.

There's still life in the old dog yet.

The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.

A burst of sunshine over the Crake Valley.

Coniston Water and fells.

Old pals.

Brock Barrow.

The second summit ahead, Wetherlam beyond.

The call of the wild.

Time for a swim (for Casper and Dougal, not me I hasten to add!) down at Nibthwaite.

The Old Man at the head of Coniston Water.

He's keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

Caw

Walked on 27/11/2012

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – Brock Barrow – Long Mire – Caw (OF) – Park Head Road – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 3.3 miles Total Ascent: 413 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 40 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Sunny spells with a cool wind. 7oC

There has been plenty of rain around over the last week or so but the Lake District has escaped the severe flooding that other parts of the country have been unfortunate enough to endure. It almost seemed impossible that we could get some dry weather at last after it rained relentlessly all day yesterday but here we have it – a rare dry day! The tops of the highest fells have a covering of snow and the wind up on top was pretty cold today.

The Park Head Road - a bit damp underfoot but not from above, thankfully.

Brock Barrow.

An interesting and different route to Brock Barrow following an old quarry track, the zig-zags of which can be seen quite clearly.

Looking across the Duddon Valley from the ruined quarry buildings to The Pike and Hesk Fell, Whitfell beyond.

Stickle Pike in mono.

Stickle Pike and Black Combe. These workings are more extensive than I realised.

Caw and a bit of blue sky.

Snow capped Grey Friar and Swirl How.

The high fells at the head of the Duddon Valley are lost under a thick belt of cloud.

Sunshine over Morecambe Bay, Heysham Power station silhouetted.

Lots of weather going on in the Duddon Valley as I reached the top of Caw.

Black Combe from Caw.

There was a strong, cold wind up here today.

The Coniston fells.

The look that says a thousand words...

...and so does this one, something akin to 'Get a move on'!

Grey Friar, grey sky.

The Duddon Estuary.

The Fell Dogs.

Dougal portrait.

Dougal the Woolly Jumper, proudly standing atop a wall today. He scaled the north face of the 6' wall in one bound. The reason? 'Because it was there'

The way back, following the wall which follows the lay of the land, in and out.

A bit brighter over Stickle Pike now.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 10/08/2012

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes Start Time: 11:00

Weather: Hot and sunny. 23°C

It was really warm this morning – Connie, we are going out for a walk…your choice…!

Brock Barrow

Walked on 24/05/2012

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes Start Time: 09:30

Weather: Warm and hazy. 18°C

Summer has returned to the Lake District and it has been warmer than warm this week. I have not been doing much walking this week but have been out and about with my camera as shown in the first set of shots. Today I had a short walk up to Brock Barrow at the southern end of Coniston Water.

I couldn't resist this scene on Tuesday...

...I thought it looked like one of those scenes from yesteryear.

A mirror finish on Coniston Water at Parkamoor Jetty.

Perfect.

Beacon Fell from the jetty.

The Coniston fells.

Coniston Water.

Coniston Bluebells - about to be overtaken by the bracken.

Looking good in the sunshine though. Tuesday was also (bad?) haircut day for the boys and with the threatened good weather coming, they needed it.

Shaking out the cobwebs at Roanhead.

Bath time. On Wednesday, it was a real scorcher...

The Langdale Pikes from Elter Water.

A good place to be.

The Langdale Pikes. On with the walk...

All is calm at Lake Bank, the mist is just starting to burn off and you can see it up to the right. Also missing are the Coniston fells, still hidden by the mist to the north.

Another day of perfect reflections.

Beautiful.

Climbing from Nibthwaite, Beacon Fell is over the rooftops but to the right the mist is clearing from the Coniston fells now.

Climbing higher looking across Allan Tarn to the big bank of fog sitting over the edge of the coast.

The steep way up.

The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.

It is slightly hazy today but very warm up here.

The view from the second cairn.

Looking down on Coniston Water.

The Old Man and Wetherlam reflected.

The long tongues and short fur tell the tale of the thermometer today.

Back down at Nibthwaite, looking across to Beacon Fell.

Up periscope.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 16/04/2012

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 12:00

Weather: Overcast. 8oC

Connie is still off school so we went for a walk to Brock Barrow above High Nibthwaite. Around the fringes of the southern Lake District it was really sunny but further in it was a little overcast.

A busy lunchtime in High Nibthwaite.

Climbing above the rooftops looking towards beacon Fell.

The steep scramble to the top.

Hands on action looking along the Crake Valley.

The Coniston fells.

A breather at the top of Brock Barrow for Connie, Casper and Dougal. Incidentally, that cairn was built by A H Griffin, he said 'It was the first and only summit cairn I have ever built'.

As for the view from here, Griffin wrote: '...a magnificent viewpoint for the length of the lake and the mountains behind...'

Looking across Allan Tarn and Nibthwaite to Black Combe across the Blawith fells.

We are all enjoying the views today.

Wetherlam beyond the second summit.

Sheep spotters gather at the end of the (rock) platform.

You look that way and I'll look this. Back down at the foot of Coniston Water...

Dougal walks on water whilst Casper sinks (or swims).

Caught in a trap.

The sentinel Gormley statue guards Beacon Fell.

Bouthrey Bridge has recently re-opened after being completely destroyed in the 2009 floods.

This was the last bridge in Cumbria to be reconstructed after the devastation, hopefully it will never see that level of water again but at least it is wider and looks more substantial now.

The St John's Ambulance first aid box on the wall at Water Yeat. This was completely renovated a few years ago and I believe it was the first such box anywhere in the country.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 28/10/2011

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite then Blawith Common

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes Start Time: 08:50

Weather: Sunny, cold. 2ºC

It was a lot cooler this morning and altogether more autumnal than of late. The colours were really showing up in the sunshine and Coniston Water was completely calm with a polished mirror finish making for some great photos at the end of today’s short walk.

Brock Barrow route map.

Looking across Nibthwaite to the southern end of Coniston Water, the early mist rising off the lake.

Looking across to the Blawith fells, the mist on Allan Tarn.

Sunshine boys.

Climbing out of the shadows.

Summit vista.

The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.

The Crake Valley.

A mighty fine cairn.

Coniston Water and fells.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

The second summit and the Coniston fells.

There is a mirror finish on Coniston Water below, Lake Bank Jetty to the left.

Casper and Dougal, sheep spotting.

Across Coniston Water.

It's looking so good in the sunshine down there... ...down at the lake side...

There is still a bit of mist lingering on the water looking across to Beacon Fell.

The distant Old Man at the head of Coniston Water.

Stillness.

From the boathouse. From the western side of Coniston Water...

Lake Bank Jetty.

The Coniston fells from Lake Bank jetty.

Autumn colours.

It's really tranquil looking south.

The giants of Coniston.

Coniston Water.

Reflected sky.

Just beautiful.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 22/08/2011

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 11:25

Weather: Sunny and warm. 18°C

It wasn’t the walk we set off to do earlier today but we were glad to have changed to the sunny eastern side of Coniston Water and we enjoyed a walk up to Brock Barrow and along the ridge in beautiful weather amongst the sweet smelling Ling. I think the views of Coniston Water and the Coniston fells are amongst the best from here and are certainly the best for minimal effort.

Brock Barrow ahead with a promise of blue sky.

The climb through deep bracken.

Looking across Allan Tarn to Blawith Knott from the climb.

Scramble girl.

Sunlight on the fells.

From the top of the rake.

The summit cairn in amongst the Ling.

Casper and Dougal, the Lingy Lads.

Looking across to Low Light Haw.

The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.

It was a lovely day to sit here and admire the views.

Caw and White Maiden.

The Crake Valley.

Bethecar Moor from the cairn.

Longer sunny spells as we head to the secondary summit.

The second summit and a great view of Coniston Water.

Coniston close up.

Black Sails and Wetherlam past the summit.

Coniston in mono.

Summit wall.

Connie on the cairn.

Casper enjoys the fabulous view.

A panoramic view of Coniston.

Dappled fells. Back down at Nibthwaite...

The sentinel and the Coniston fells.

Lovely down by the quay.

Beacon Fell.

Brock Barrow - you can just about make out the cairn.

Up by Parkamoor Jetty, we were going to have a swim but decided a paddle was enough after all!

Parkamoor Jetty.

Coniston Inversion

Walked on 03/03/2011

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite then Blawith Common

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 20 minutes Start Time: 08:40

Weather: Clear above the mist. -4ºC below cloud, much warmer above!

I had no plans for a walk today but saw the early morning dense fog and decided I would go for it! It is always nice to be able to get above the cloud like this and being out early gave me the chance to have two bites of the cherry as I firstly had a look from the east side of Coniston before a quick travel to Blawith Common for a look from the west side.

Underneath the cloud cover at Lowick these sheep and lambs must have thought they were in for a feed as they ran towards me, bleating loudly.

The Lambster.

Frozen ground heading for Brock Barrow. I went up the front face for a change - to the left in this photo and then up.

What do you think of this tree Casper?

Looking south along the Crake Valley.

...and north towards the Coniston fells.

Beacon Fell from the climb.

Flare on the summit cairn.

Beautiful in the sunshine up on Brock Barrow.

They're loving it.

Nibthwaite down below and Blawith Common. Looks interesting over there which has given me an idea.

The second summit on Brock Barrow.

The view from its cairn.

A profile - Casper, Dougal (and a distant Angus).

What's down there boys? My guess is they featured in the first two photos of this walk.

I think I will head over to the other side when I get down.

The frozen wall to Nibthwaite. Then a short drive to Blawith Common to check the inversion from the west side...

The view from the climb to Slatestone fell.

Looking south into the sun and the mist is burning off rapidly now. This is Bowder Knott, normally it wouldn't even be worth a visit or a mention but these smaller knotts and knolls are on the very edge of the inversion today.

The view along Coniston Water to Wetherlam from the descent.

Heading for Lake Bank above the Crake valley caravan park. It sounds like it's raining with the ice rapidly thawing from the trees and bushes.

Looking across to Nibthwaite and Brock Barrow, visited earlier.

A great profile of the Coniston fells.

Nearly clear down at Lake Bank with only a couple of swans to greet me.

A familiar view? Lake Bank Jetty features as the April photo on the Striding Edge 2011 calendar and appears on the Frosty Mornings Reed Diffuser box that we sell in Love the Lakes!

Oak Isle tranquillity.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 19/11/2010

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 20 minutes Start Time: 10:30

Weather: Sunny with clearing mist. 5C

I just about had time for a quick walk at the southern eastern end of Coniston Water today and I think it caught the best of the early weather as there was lots of low lying mist, but also the high fells were covered too. This is a good walk for the effort/view ratio and there is rarely anyone around here.

Misty morning in the Crake Valley.

Dougal and Casper lead the way.

Looking to the Blawith Fells (where I walked on Monday) across Allan Tarn.

The scramble to the top.

The mist is being burned away by the sun.

Coniston Water from Brock Barrow, the high fells are cloud covered for now.

Casper and Dougal.

He's like a coiled spring, that Dougal - look at him, ready to bounce away.

The southern end of Coniston Water.

Beacon Fell.

Misty trees.

The Crake Valley in mono.

Brock Barrow from Allan Tarn.

Allan Tarn is a widening of the River Crake as it flows from Coniston Water.

Looking into the sun at Allan Tarn, known as Octopus Lagoon in Ransome's 'Swallows and Amazons'.

'Noah's Ark' (so that's where it went!) hidden in the trees at Allan Tarn.

High Nibthwaite (properly) or more usually, locally - 'Nibthet'.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 24/10/2010

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 13:50

Weather: Sunny and clear. 9C

What a fantastic and clear day it was today – too nice to stay in, so Connie and I took the dogs for a short walk somewhere. We didn’t end up where we intended, read on to find out why…

The River Leven at Backbarrow. Many will remember the flood photos from 20th November last year and at last the parapet on the bridge has been repaired and the road has re-opened.

The River Leven from the bridge.

Looking downstream. The intention was to go to High Dam today but when we drove through Finsthwaite, I could hardly believe how busy it was and I have never seen so many cars there. The car park was full and the roads were lined with cars for qyuite a distanbce. Hmm, we'll give that a miss then and find somewhere a bit quieter I think.

Back down at Newby Bridge, the weir on the River Leven.

We ended up at High Nibthwaite at the foot of Coniston Water - I know it's not that long since I was there but the views are quite stunning from this diminutive fell on a day such as this. This is the view across High Nibthwaite towards NBeacon Fell at the start of the walk.

Brock Barrow.

Connie and the Crake Valley on the climb towards High Bethecar.

Crake Valley sunshine.

The southern end of Coniston Water.

The Coniston fells from the top.

Allan Tarn and distant Black Combe.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Close up ion The Old Man of Coniston.

Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

A riot of colour looking across to Beacon Fell, Caw on the skyline.

Casper, Connie and Dougal.

Rock the Casper.

The view from the cairn on Brock Barrow.

Crossing the wall at the start of the descent.

We descended the Wainwright way at Connie's behest - not recommended! Nice Holly tree on the way down though!

Connie on the way down.

The sentinel looks towards Coniston fells.

Connie and her new friend at the foot of Brock Barrow.

Beacon Fell from Coniston Water.

The view from the foot of Coniston Water.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 22/09/2010

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 25 minutes Start Time: 13:20

Weather: Started off dry, ended up rain. 17C

There was just time for a quick walk with the dogs at the south eastern side of Coniston Water this afternoon. I thought I would have escaped the rain but as soon as I made the top, the heavens opened. It is very rare to see anyone up on this side but I bumped into three people who just happened to be StridingEdge fans today – nice to meet you all.

Brock Barrow route map.

Beacon Fell across Coniston Water and Nibthwaite.

Brock Barrow and gorse.

The trees are certainly on the turn now.

Three people sat on the summit were rudely interrupted by boisterous Dougal - good job they were StridingEdge fans, otherwise they may not have been so keen to see him!

Dougal and Casper on the summit.

Beacon Fell, the rain falling now.

A panoramic view of the southern end of Coniston Water.

Dougal heading for the second summit.

In your face.

Watching the world (well, sheep actually) go by.

Heading back down to Nibthwaite.

Down at the lake shore in Nibthwaite, Coniston Water is looking full.

From the boathouse.

A panoramic view along Coniston Water.

Gormley statue and Brock Barrow.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 21/03/2010

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes Start Time: 10:00

Weather: Sunny and warm, 12C

Underneath the dense cloud it was chilly but the sun soon burned it away this morning leaving conditions sunny and warm for a short walk at the southern end of Coniston Water. I had my first outing with some new boots on and will give a full review of them soon. What I can say is that they were fantastic and will be well worth checking out…

Brock Barrow route map.

Our old friend, the Antony Gormley statue at High Nibthwaite.

It was lovely and calm this morning. Further north the lake was shrouded in mist but was clearing from the southern end.

Reeds and Beacon Fell.

Beacon Fell across the rooftops of High Nibthwaite.

Allan Tarn and clearing cloud.

Spring springing at Brock Barrow.

The route of ascent, definitely not the Wainwright one which he got completely wrong.

Looking down on Allan Tarn.

The cloud is lifting from the Coniston fells and Coniston Water is clear now from the summit of Brock Barrow,.

Dougal and Casper enjoying the sunshine.

Beacon Fell and the southern end of Coniston Water.

The Coniston fells.

The 'castle' of the second summit on Brock Barrow.

Two's company.

The view from the second summit.

Big cloud over Black Combe.

How to get two mucky pups clean at Low Peel Near. On the way home...

A host of golden Daffodils outside Ulverston.

A carpet of purple Croci at Urswick.

Caw

Walked on 29/01/2010

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – Brock Barrow – Long Mire – Caw (OF) – Park Head Road – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Cold and clear. 2°C

It was almost unexpected today for the weather to turn so good so suddenly. The sun came out when I was booting up (footwear, not PC!) and stayed throughout the walk. The wind though was a really cold northerly – an icy blast. We bumped into Oscar the Beardie at the start, a regular on these fells and one we have seen a good few times before. As you can imagine, there was fur and wagging tails everywhere! By the end of the walk it was snowing really heavily and the high fells certainly had a good fall of new snow on them. Is this the resurgence of winter?

"...look at the mighty Caw, this pyramid, this mountain, this fell of fells. From the vale of the Duddon the Bearded fellows will unite with the fell-ninja, rise to the top and cast asunder all ye below..." extract from The Legend of Beenson Toste

As soon as I arrived at Kiln Bank Cross, the sun came out and the sky was blue. This is looking up to Stickle Pike from the road, but we headed the other way towards Caw this morning.

Harter Fell flanked by Scafell and Esk Pike.

Stickle Pike and Black Combe from a frozen pool on Brock Barrow.

Caw - our path is along Long Mire, up to the right.

The Duddon Valley from Brock Barrow - those poles are aerials for the valley below.

A bit windy up here Dougal?

Fox Haw and the track just followed from Brock Barrow over to the right.

Caw and the route up - the McMahon direct route.

Looking across to Black Combe from the climb. to the right is Brock Barrow (a different one to the one I have just been on!) with Stickle Pike the nearer fell.

Hurry up dad! They are much quicker than me up here with 4 leg drive.

Caw summit.

Looking across to the Coniston fells.

Fresh snow on the high fells at the head of the Duddon Valley.

Looking into the sun to the south.

The Duddon Estuary.

The Duddon Valley from the descent.

Esk Pike and Bowfell.

Dow Crag and the Seathwaite Fells surrounding The Cove.

Snowy Scafell and Scafell Pike, Harter Fell in the foreground.

A greener looking Whitfell and The Pike across the Duddon Valley.

A final view of the Duddon Valley before heading back to Kiln Bank Cross.

Some of the famous Lake District Herdwick sheep.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 07/08/2009

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Weather: Sunny. 20C.

Dougal came of age today being exactly 13 weeks old – what that means in young puppy terms is that you are allowed out into the big wide world, confident that you will not pick up any strange illnesses. For a short and easy walk to tire the young chap out, I decided to climb Brock Barrow at the foot of Coniston Water. It is funny how certain fells bring back memories and this holds more than its fair share for me. It was the fell that Angus got lost on one time and also the last fell he climbed before he hung up his boots (barring the Lance Armstrong style comeback for a crack at climbing Gummer’s How), so it was fitting that this should be Dougal’s first. Unsurprisingly, he carried the walk off with aplomb – he’s going to be a good ‘un that lad, I can tell that for sure.

Brock Barrow route map.

Looking back to Beacon Fell over High Nibthwaite. It was a jungle up there.

Allan Tarn, Blawith beyond. Tottlebank Height is the highest point to the right.

Heading for Brock Barrow. The climb to it is not as bad as it looks and I think Wainwright gave a poor route to get up to it in his Top o' Selside walk in The Outlying Fells. In those days, it was a nameless summit 748' and the route he describes is a steep scree climb straight up this face of it along the visible groove. However, if you carry on along the path to the east (to the right of this photo), the climb is much gentler before it cuts back to the north west to reach the top. The main obstacle on this route at the moment is the bracken.

Hurry up Uncle Casper.

Heathery Casper.

Made it! Well done Dougal, the first of many I think and he was such a good lad.

The Coniston fells from the cairn on Brock Barrow. The views were superb today with a light breeze blowing on the top making it a classic English summer day.

Little Dougal looks impressed.

Where are you skulking off to?

The dogless view.

Looking across Allan Tarn to Blawith Knott and Black Combe, below is High Nibthwaite.

The foot of Coniston Water.

We stayed here for a good while, having a lie in the grass and enjoying the sun giving Dougal plenty of recovery time.

There were lots of new things to see for him.

Looks like he has inherited the Casper tongue as well.

The Coniston fells across the blooming heather.

Heading for the second cairn.

Low Light Haw from the second cairn.

Coniston Water.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Wetherlam and the Yewdale Fells.

Beacon Fell.

What a day.

I descended directly to the track running across the centre of this photo. The path was often lost in the head height bracken and old Dougally Doo required a bit of a carry here, after all some of you may remember what happened to Angus a couple of years ago when the bracken was a similar height - he disappeared!

The Gormley Sentinel keeps an eye on Beacon Fell back down at High Nibthwaite.

It was tempting for a swim here.

Tranquillity in Swallows and Amazons country.