The wind did howl and the rain did pour this morning for our walk to Caudale Moor. I had intended to go further on this walk but it was so wet and cold I’d had enough after I reached Hartsop Dodd. I think Fletcher came of age today with his first taste of some proper fell weather!
This certainly wasn’t a route I had in mind today but when I got over Kirkstone Pass this morning, the descent was littered with stuck cars on the icy road. I certainly had a hairy moment or two going down there but managed to avoid a collision and hastily turned round and went back the way I came. The fells to the east of Kirkstone Pass looked quite clear so I thought I would walk over Caudale Moor but I guess the walk was always going to be a strange route, there being no other obvious route of return. Those who know the Lake District know how changeable the weather can be and today was no exception with it changing seemingly by the minute.
I didn’t know what to expect today, I certainly didn’t expect any clear photos as it was raining so much! As I went over Kirkstone Pass, there was a certain amount of clarity around Hartsop, so that’s what I settled on. The clouds were hanging around in thick layers in the valleys but eventually it lifted to cover the tops and the highest part of the walk was completed in the mist.
From the Western fells yesterday to the Far Eastern fells today and a shorter walk. The climb from Hartsop to Hartsop Dodd is severe, but at least you gain height quickly! The clouds came down along with the rain to obliterate the view for most of the walk. Still, it was nice to be out with a small landmark for Angus in his Wainwright fell-bagging quest.
The heavens had opened when I set off this morning for the climb up to Caudale Moor on the eastern side of Kirkstone Pass. There were no views and it was quite miserable until I descended to Troutbeck where the sun came out – and of course shone on the places I had just been! This was a boggy affair due to the amount of rain and coupled with one or two tricky river crossings, it made for a very damp day.
Cow Bridge – Hartsop Dodd (33) – Caudale Moor (34) – Middle Dodd (35) – Red Screes (36) – Little Hart Crag (37) – High Hartsop Dodd (38) – Cow Bridge Brothers Water from the ascent of Hartsop Dodd. View from Hartsop Dodd. L-R : Middle Dodd, Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag, Hart Crag
