Caw

Walked on 02/01/2025

Walking Diary 2025 Walking Diary 2024

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 5.6 km Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 40 minutes Start Time: 14:30

Happy New Year for 2025 and after endless days of rain and cloud, suddenly there was sunshine and a gorgeous day so we headed out for a late (relatively – the sun was already setting when we set off at 14:30!) afternoon walk. Caw is a lovely fell, mid-Duddon valley with glorious views all around and easy navigation.

Long mid-winter shadows following the Park Head Road.

Looking to the head of the Duddon Valley from the top of Long Mire.

Esk Pike has a sprinkling of snow with the cloud hanging over Bowfell.

We made a direct ascent to the top - what a view!

A paraglider took off from the top just as we made it. Fletcher didn't know what to make of that and was completely spooked.

Looking out towards the Duddon Estuary.

The Coniston fells.

A magnificent view of the fells at the head of the Duddon Valley.

A view to Wasdale, Pillar being the highest in view.

Across the Duddon Valley to the west Cumbrian coast, Devoke Water top left.

Unimpressed Fletcher!

What a lovely evening.

Close up on the Duddon Estuary.

Let the light in. The setting sun with Black Combe and Stickle Pike silhouetted.

Deepening colours, lengthening shadows.

Take in the view Fletcher, it is magnificent.

Caw

Walked on 18/01/2022

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 10:45

Dougal said he fancied a walk today so we chose somewhere that he could manage plus found somewhere away from the grey sky and general dullness of the valleys.

We were still under cloud when we set off but there were glimpses of blue sky appearing as we followed the Park Head Road.

Suddenly we were in the sunshine. Below, towards the coast, there was a dense blanket of fog over the lower ground. Here there were more clouds but they were wispy - a semi-inversion!

Looking to the Woodland fells (Blawith Knott, Great Burney and Kirkby Moor) appearing above the dense, lower clouds.

Closer up.

Made it to the summit with blue skies but it didn't look like this would last for long as there was a strong, cold breeze blowing in with some heavier cloud coming.

Fletcher and Dougal.

Looking to the Coniston fells.

From the cold descent.

Caw

Height: 529 metres / 1735 feet Grid reference: SD 23047 94446 Category: The Outlying Fells

Rainbow over Caw

On the summit of Caw

Caw from the slopes of Fox Haw

Caw and the Coniston Fells

Walked on 01/09/2014

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Seathwaite – Park Head Road – Caw (OF) – Pikes (OF) – White Pike – White Maiden – Walna Scar (OF) – Walna Scar Road – Seathwaite

Distance: 7.8 miles Total Ascent: 773 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 20 minutes Start Time: 13:00

Weather: Generally overcast, 17°C

The weather was supposed to clear later in the day, unfortunately that never materialised but I was enjoying the fresh air so much I extended a planed shorter walk to Caw by linking it to the Coniston fells. It was an unusual route but it was worth it to see if it could be done (the answer is yes, but recommended? Probably not!).

Seathwaite and Wallowbarrow Crag from the Park Head Road.

Seasonal fungi.

Climbing the track, Fox Haw ahead.

Looking back along the Duddon Valley, Bowfell at its head. Shortly after this the path doubles back on itself to climb Caw.

Climbing through the old quarry workings.

Dougal decides the route for the rest of the day.

Black Combe and Stickle Pike from Caw.

The next stop was Pikes, a conspicuous peak between Caw and White Pike, here looking back towards Caw from the summit.

I've never linked Caw with the Coniston fells, so why not? I went for the mine workings central in this photo - it was a bit boggy to say the least!

Harter Fell and the Scafells from the quarries on the slopes of White Pike.

A steep climb brought me to the top of White Pike.

A reverse view of one of the photos from above, looking back to Caw.

Coniston Water from White Maiden.

The route walked from Walna Scar. From here, I descended the Walna Scar road back to the old workings and back the boggy way I came to descend back into Seathwaite.

Caw

Walked on 27/04/2014

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes Start Time: 10:15

Weather: Overcast, windy on top, 13°C

We had a short walk up to Caw this morning – a great little fell with views all around yet you hardly ever see anyone up there. Also, there is news of a new member of the StridingEdge.net team…

At just four weeks old, this little Beardie puppy will soon be joining our household. His name will be Fletcher.

Scafell and Harter Fell from the Park Head Road.

Dougal seems interested in the goings-on further along the track.

The Duddon Valley.

Caw.

The track across Long Mire, heading up to the right in this photo.

Long Mire = Long Tongue.

HDR shot from the climb.

A panorama from the summit of Caw.

Dougal checks out the Coniston fells.

The Scafells, Esk Pike and Bowfell from Caw.

Black Combe from Caw.

...and looking in the opposite direction.

The Duddon Estuary from the descent.

Stickle Pike and Black Combe.

Crossing Old Park Beck.

Ancient wall, ancient track.

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.

Caw

Walked on 08/02/2012

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes Start Time: 12:00

Weather: Freezing.0°C

I think I struck lucky with the weather today – the prediction was for an inversion but that didn’t seem particularly likely as I could see the fell tops through grey gloom and it was windy but as I started walking the sky began to clear. It was certainly cold and there was a strong wind as well making the temperature well below zero up there.

The Park Head Road below; Caw, today's objective, can be seen above the crags in the foreground.

Following the frozen track.

The Duddon Valley.

Caw looked so inviting from here, the summit lit up by the sun.

Looking back towards Hesk Fell from the climb.

A frozen view to the Duddon Estuary.

The Coniston fells from Caw.

The frozen Duddon Valley below.

The icy summit of Caw.

It was windier than you might have thought up here as my two able companions demonstrate - and that means it was incredibly cold...not a place to hang around for too long today.

The Duddon Estuary from the summit.

Looking the other way.

It looks oh so cold on this photo.

Casper and Dougal look down on Seathwaite and the Duddon Valley with a fine view to Pillar and the Scafells, Harter Fell in the foreground.

The summit from the descent.

Looking across a frozen pool.

...and how it looked the other way across the same pool.

The route of descent (the wall below is the one in the third photo, above), Stickle Pike to the left.

A panoramic view of Caw.

Heading back along the Park Head Road, Stickle Pike ahead.

Caw

Walked on 04/10/2011

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes Start Time: 09:30

Weather: Windy, generally overcast. 12ºC

The Indian summer has disappeared and things have turned a lot more autumnal with strong winds and the odd shower around today. It was certainly a lot colder as well, this is the first walk since early summer that I have been back in long trousers. Things are set to get cooler with snow predicted on the tops later on this week – I think it’s time to dig out the winter gear.

Caw route map.

Looking across to Stickle Pike and quick moving skies from Kiln Bank Cross.

Looking along Park Head Road heading between Brock Barrow and Fox Haw.

Looking back to Stickle Pike.

Grey Friar and the Duddon Valley from Park Head Road.

Caw ahead - I am heading up to the right, along Long Mire. Down in the valley below I could hear the shepherds calling and the dogs barking as they rounded up the sheep from the fellside - I reckon Dougal and Casper would have signed up for a job given half a chance!

Looking along the Duddon Valley with distant Esk Pike and Bowfell between Harter Fell and Grey Friar.

At the foot of the climb on the eastern face of Caw.

Dougal.

The Duddon Estuary, Black Combe and Stickle Pike from the climb.

The Coniston fells from the top of Caw.

Caw summit.

Black Combe from the summit.

Hang on a minute, what happened to all your hair? Casper and Dougal sport a mid-term haircut and there is only Dougal's ear to give away how strong the wind is now.

Dougal on Caw.

Spotlight on Seathwaite.

Sun through clouds to the south.

White Pike and White Maiden from the trig. column.

Captured sunrays.

Best get going, there are some angry looking clouds coming this way.

The Coniston fells from the descent, Dow Crag is the highest peak right of centre.

Back on the Park Head Road.

Following the wall towards Stickle Pike.

Hesk Fell caught in the sunshine.

Caw

Walked on 11/01/2011

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes Start Time: 14:40

Weather: Sunny and clear. 2°C

It was lovely and sunny and clear this afternoon – I didn’t really have the time for a walk today but made it so to make the most of the good weather whilst it was there! A year has flown by and that is how long it is since I was last up on Caw and I’m glad I made the effort today, the sunset was just magical.

Caw route map.

What a beautiful mid afternoon start to the walk with pointed Caw ahead.

The Park Head Road wends its way between Brock Barrow and Fox Haw.

Snow clad Scafell and Harter Fell at the head of the Duddon Valley.

Golden Casperoo.

Brock Barrow and the rather wet Park Head Road.

Heading for Long Mire with Caw directly ahead - and look at those two having a chase!

The craggy south west face of Caw.

The sun is already getting low in the sky and dropping into a big bank of cloud, here looking across the pointed silhouette of Stickle Pike to cloud capped Black Combe from Broadslack, on Caw.

The view across Broughton Moor to the Kent Estuary.

The second I reached the summit it suddenly felt like the sun really was setting, yet this photo was taken only 40 minutes after the first one. It was icy cold up here and there was a lovely view of the Duddon Valley towards the Scafells with the Pillar group of fells to the left.

The Coniston fells from the now grey trig. column, previously it has always been painted white. Perhaps I should bring a tin of paint next time I come.

There was a beautiful view of the setting sun to the west, the icy summit pool giving the temperature up here away. It was just stunning up here with total silence and this fantastic view of the sunset.

A similar view, a little later and a little further back.

An annotated panorama from Caw.

Someone else popped up from nowhere to admire the sunset this afternoon (the time was 15:25).

A close up on the Scafells.

Esk Pike.

Morecambe Bay sunset.

Casper and Dougal on the top of Caw.

The Ormonde wind farm.

Black Combe sunset.

The cloud pouring over Black Combe.

Invading army.

An icy pool on the descent.

Black Combe looking other-worldly, Stickle Pike in the foreground.

More cloud pouring over Buck Barrow (the Whitfell one).

From the descent.

Heading for home.

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.

Caw

Walked on 08/07/2009

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – 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: Clear but cool. 15C.

All who walk up this pyramid shall see the finest land this corner of England has to offer. The view along the Vale of Duddon to the Pikes of Scafell is wondrous and the sight of The Old Man where the old, grey Bearded one lies is enough to lift thine heart, so it is written…extract from The Legend of Pyun Mash

Caw route map.

Looking back to Stickle Pike from Park head Road.

Brock Barrow and Casper.

The view along the Duddon Valley before the turn to Long Mire.

Black Combe and Stickle Pike from Long Mire.

The McMahon route to Caw.

The view to the south east.

The Duddon Estuary from the climb.

Black Combe and Stickle Pike across Fox Haw.

The beautiful Duddon Valley - Wallowbarrow Crag and Seathwaite in the foreground with Harter Fell beyond with Pillar, the Scafells, Bowfell and Esk Pike in view.

The back of the Coniston fells.

Esk Pike, Bowfell, Crinkles Crags and Grey Friar from the summit. The Walna Scar Road can be seen snaking down to the Duddon Valley, centre right.

The summit of Caw.

Nice place for a bathe according to Casper.

Not too sure about the result though, you mucky pup!

What a fantastic view.

A close up on Esk Pike and Bowfell.

The Scafells.

Haycock, left, and the head of Mosedale with Pillar on the far right.

Black Combe and Stickle Pike with the path to the summit clearly in view.

Stickle Pike from the return to Kiln Bank Cross.

Caw

Walked on 15/08/2008

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – 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: Overcast. It was spotting with rain throughout the walk. 18ºC.

More poor weather today and the high fells were once more covered with cloud. I decided on a lower favourite, Caw; to the south and south-west, all seemed much brighter.

Caw ahead at the start of the Park Head Road.

Brock Barrow. The Park Head Road winds its way up to the right.

Looking along the Duddon Valley, Harter Fell to the left with Wallowbarrow Crag above Seathwaite in front of it.

Caw. The Wainwright route follows the Park Head Road and descends to the left before picking up an old miners track. The McMahon route (the better one in my opinion!) follows Long Mire to the right before a route 1 ascent via Broadslack Crag.

The Duddon Valley from Long Mire.

The Dunnerdale Fells, Stickle Pike prominent to the right with a cloud covered Black Combe beyond.

Caw from the south - the route of ascent.

Casper on Caw. It was a bit breezy up here today.

White Pike and White Maiden are just about cloud free, the rest of the Coniston fells are covered.

The Duddon Valley.

Looking across to Black Combe from the summit of Caw.

The Duddon Estuary from Caw through the low cloud.

The view from the summit tarn.

Distant Black Combe.

A brief spell of brightness on The Pike and Hesk Fell.

Stickle Pike looks like a giant from this angle.

Caw

Walked on 18/04/2008

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – 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: Overcast. 10oC.

It was hazy and grey this afternoon for a quick sprint up to Caw. Always a fave this one but nearly a year since I have been up there which surprised me when I looked. Obviously I need to get out more.

The dark pyramid of Caw beyond the sunlit Fox Haw.

Brock Barrow and the Park Head Road.

Looking back to Stickle Pike.

Following the Park Head Road.

Harter Fell dominating the Duddon Valley. Behind is the looming shape of Scafell with Esk Pike to the right. At the front, above Seathwaite, is Wallowbarrow Crag.

The Duddon Valley from the slopes of Fox Haw.

The western face of Caw which was the route of descent later.

Why the long face Casper?

Checking out the Duddon Valley below from the top of Caw.

Harter Fell from the summit.

A portrait of Angus.

The Coniston fells.

Harter Fell in the sun once more.

Casper, high and mighty.

The Duddon Estuary and Duddon Sands.

The Coniston fells with the spoil heaps from the now disused Walna Scar quarry in the centre.

Sheep spotting on the way down.

Heading back towards Stickle Pike along the Park Head Road.

Caw

Walked on 22/05/2007

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – 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: Sunny with a cool breeze. 15oC.

This morning it was raining but as the day went on the skies cleared and the sun came out – when it did so did we! It wasn’t as clear or as warm as yesterday but it was pleasant enough to be out for a short walk and get somewhere high enough to survey the scene of our long Scafell walk from afar.

Whitfell, The Pike and Hesk Fell from Kiln Bank.

Heading for Caw.

Following the Park Head Road.

Further along the Park Head Road, Brock Barrow to the left.

Caw.

There was a stiff breeze on the top.

The summit of Caw.

A hazy view across the Duddon Valley to the head of Eskdale.

The Coniston fells.

Scafell and Scafell Pike.

Esk Pike and Bow Fell.

Scafell and Slight Side across Harter Fell, Mickleden clearly visible to the centre right.

The Duddon Estuary, Barrow-in-Furness and Walney Island.

A glimpse through to Wasdale with Yewbarrow centre, Haycock, Red Pike , Scoat Fell and Pillar beyond.

Caw

Walked on 16/01/2007

Start point: Seathwaite, Dunnerdale (SD 228 960)

Seathwaite – Park Head Road – Stickle Tarn – Stickle Pike (OF) – Caw (OF) – Pikes (OF) – Green Pikes (OF) – Seathwaite

Distance: 7 miles Total Ascent: 700 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Cool and clear. 4°C

Today I met up with Roger and Ann Hiley and their two dogs for a walk to Stickle Pike and Caw from Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley. The weather was almost unbelievably different to the wet and windy weather we have experienced over the last week or so as it was cool and clear. The views were superb from everywhere today; if only it would stay like this for a while!

Wallowbarrow Crag and Harter Fell above a cold looking Seathwaite.

Dow Crag from Park Head Road.

Passing Caw en route to Stickle Pike.

Stickle Pike ahead.

Caw from the climb up to Stickle Pike

...and the view from further up.

A clear view to Harter Fell with the Scafell range, Esk Pike and Bow Fell beyond from the summit of Stickle Pike

The Pike, centre, with Whitfell and Hesk Fell beyond across the Duddon Valley.

Casper enjoying the sunshine with a stray tail to the right!

Group summit photo - Angus, Casper, Bethan and Harry. It's bad enough getting two dogs to keep still, never mind four!

The view descending to a mirror finished Stickle Tarn

Caw across Stickle Tarn

Returning to Caw - we ascended from the south-east, to the right of this photo.

A beautiful azure sky heading for the summit of Caw.

Looking to the head of the Duddon Valley from Caw.

The Coniston fells.

Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Ill Crag with Pen in the centre.

Harter Fell, Scafell beyond

Esk Pike.

Grey Friar.

Devoke Water.

Wallowbarrow Crag.

Dow Crag, Buck Pike, Coniston Old Man, Brown Pike, Walna Scar and White Pike.

In the sunshine on Caw - there was a cool breeze on the top today though

White Pike and White Maiden beyond Pikes, the next objective

The lowering sun gives some texture to the Scafells

...and the Coniston fells.

Panoramic Duddon Valley.

Esk Pike and Bow Fell.

Haycock, Scoat Fell and Wasdale Red Pike. The left central ridge is Illgill Head with Yewbarrow to the right and Harter Fell in the foreground.

A final view of Scafell and Scafell Pike on the descent from Green Pikes.

Caw

Walked on 11/08/2006

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – 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: Grey and overcast. 17oC

Another grey day up on Caw today, yet the views were surprisingly quite extensive. Although visible, the distant fells were mainly silhouetted due to the lack of sunlight with only fleeting bursts of sunlight to brighten them.

Hesk Fell across the Duddon Valley, Seat How in the sunshine on the right.

Looking along Park Head Road to the Duddon Valley. Esk Pike, Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags are flanked by Harter Fell and Grey Friar.

Angus.

The Duddon Estuary and Black Combe.

Black Combe from the summit of Caw.

The Scafell range from Caw.

The Coniston fells.

The Haycock - Scoat Fell - Pillar ridge.

Dark and moody Bow Fell.

Esk Pike.

The Scafells beyond Harter Fell.

Devoke Water - not nice enough for a swim today.

Angus.

Casper.

They can't stand up for falling down!

The sun shines on Esk Pike.

Grey Friar with Dow Crag to the right. The path up to Seathwaite Tarn (used on 27th July) is visible below Grey Friar.

Black Combe with Stickle Pike in the foreground.

Scafell fleetingly catches the sun beyond Harter Fell.

Lickle Horseshoe

Walked on 12/07/2006

Start point: The Hawk (SD 239 924)

The Hawk – The Knott – Natty Bridge – Pikes (OF) – Caw (OF) – Long Mire – Stephenson Ground – Water Yeat Bridge -The Hawk

Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 500 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes.

Weather: Dull and overcast, very still. 15oC.

Relatively few visit the Lickle Valley, some perhaps have not heard of it but it is a lovely place – very quiet and removed from all manner of everyday life. It was a pity about the lack of views today as perhaps the photos do not show it at its best, so we will return when the skies are clearer. It almost felt as if we were pioneering on The Knott for this must surely be a different scene now the trees are removed.

Setting off along the forest road from The Hawk.

The Dunnerdale Fells across Carter Ground, Stephenson Ground and the Lickle Valley. The River Lickle is below the tree line at the bottom of the picture.

Casper settles down next to an ancient cairn on a prominence approaching The Knott. This area has recently been cleared of forestry and it has really open views now.

The tongue on The Knott!

Caw, the summit in mist, from The Knott.

Not a battle field scene but cleared forestry on The Knott.

The River Lickle and the Lickle Valley.

Looking over to Pikes.

A drink and a dip under Natty Bridge.

Waterfall and pool by Natty Bridge.

Natty Bridge.

Looking south along the Lickle Valley.

Heading for Pikes it was amazingly quiet - not a whisper of a breeze or anything.

Into the mist - Caw from Pikes.

Angus - still not given up!

These two seem quite content on the summit of Caw; no view today though.

Looking across Long Mire on the descent of Caw - the ghostly peak beyond the near ridge is Stickle Pike.

Long Mire.

Following the old walled lane to Stephenson Ground.

Looking over Stephenson Ground to The Knott, the summit visited earlier. The full extent of the deforestation is evident from here.

Stephenson Ground.

Caw

Walked on 24/02/2006

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – 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: Grey, dull and a bitterly cold wind with the odd sunny spell. 3°C

I managed to have a short walk up to Caw this lunchtime; the wind was biting and the weather was constantly changing with quick moving clouds and showers. The views were non-existent at the summit, yet by the time I had descended less than 100 metres, the views were suddenly revealed.

Looking across the Duddon Valley to Hesk Fell. Even this lowly fell has a slight dusting of snow on top.

There was a bitterly cold wind at Long Mire.

...and it was even colder on the summit of Caw.

I had almost given up hope of any views today, it was so grey and dull when I reached the summit. You can just about make out Harter Fell beyond the trig column and the view to the nearby Coniston fells wasn't much better.

I didn't hang around for too long on the summit and set off down the snowy western face.

I don't think Angus knew what to make of the cold white stuff!

Not too far down, the sun suddenly burst through he clouds, here looking towards the Duddon Estuary.

Now I could see the Coniston fells! A snowy Dow Crag is central to this shot with Buck Pike and Brown Pike to the right with the top of The Old Man in view behind. The Walna Scar road can be seen to the right of the photo.

The Coniston fells.

Grey Friar, Great Carrs and Swirl How. Seathwaite Tarn lies in the hollow below Grey Friar.

A Duddon Valley panorama; the Scafells in the distance through the valley between Harter Fell and Grey Friar.

Esk Pike, Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags.

Scafell Pike, Ill Crag, Esk Pike and Bow Fell.

The Scafell range from Caw.

Harter Fell with Wallowbarrow Crag in the foreground.

Walking back along Park Head Road to Stickle Pike; Angus is coming to see where I am!

Stickle Pike.

Caw

Walked on 24/12/2005

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Bright and sunny with mist on the tops. 7ºC.

It was much brighter than of late today with clear blue skies and sunshine for a walk up to Caw from Kiln Bank Cross. On the ascent of Caw, the clouds suddenly came over and I was fortunate to witness two interesting phenomenon – a Brocken Spectre and (almost) a temperature inversion.

Looking over the Duddon Valley to The Pike and Hesk Fell under a thick blanket of cloud.

Caw from the slopes of Fox Haw. I climbed Caw from the south, up to the right of the photo.

Mountain dog finds the shapely summit of Pikes.

Looking south-east to the Leven Estuary, the low lying areas are under a blanket of cloud.

A ghostly apparition - a Brocken Spectre on Pikes

..and a close up. This phenomenon was constantly repeated as the sun shone through the mist as I walked from Pikes up to Caw.

Caw, clear of the mist now, on the approach from the east.

The Sca Fells, Esk Pike and Bow Fell across the temperature inversion in the Duddon Valley.

Another Brocken Spectre and the Sca Fells which now looked close enough to touch across the sea of cloud.

Stickle Pike, centre, with Black Combe beyond, still with a thick cloak of cloud.

Grey Friar across the Duddon Valley.

Dow Crag.

A panoramic view across the Duddon Valley.

Bow Fell.

Harter Fell.

The Sca Fells.

Stickle Pike. Later on in the afternoon, we were up on top of Birkrigg Common, near Ulverston, for the most fantastic temperature inversion with the whole of Morecambe Bay and the low ground up to the Coniston fells under a thick blanket of cloud...no camera, of course! I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year - thank you for supporting StridingEdge throughout 2005, here's to a great 2006 with many more walks to come - Sean McMahon (and Angus!).

Caw

Walked on 14/10/2005

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 2.7 miles Total Ascent: 250 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 10 minutes

Weather: Overcast and cool. 10°C.

Closer to home today with a short, steep ascent up to Caw from Kiln Bank Cross above Broughton Mills (normally I climb Stickle Pike from here). It was a bit grey again but there was a good view beyond the cloudy Scafells to the Pillar group which were bathed in sunshine, as was the west Cumbrian coast.