Start Point: Hodge Close (NY 315 016)
Holme Fell from Hodge Close
Distance: 2.6 miles Total Ascent: 165 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 09:50
Weather:
Clear Temperature -1 ℃ Felt like -4 ℃ Wind Speed 6.4 mi/h Wind Direction NNW
It was looking like it would be another fantastic day today so I made time to get to seek out some fresh air and climb the diminutive Holme Fell. It is always enjoyable up here and one I have visited a fair few times over the years. One thing I did notice since I last climbed is how clear the paths up there are now compared to how they were, which I guess proves how popular this fell has become recently. Another observation was that around the summit there was evidence of a fair few camp fires, something I have not seen there before.
Out of the shadows and into the light - up at the first reservoir on the climb to Holme Fell (on the right behind the tree). Ivy Crag is the prominence in the centre.
Looking back down over the reservoir and what a stunning day it is. Helvellyn has a dusting of snow in the distance.
Looking across to Wetherlam it is just so clear. Steel Edge is in the centre running diagonally right to left - it looks like an easy climb from here!
The familiar silhouette of the Langdale Pikes.
A panorama to the north and east looking at Helvellyn and Fairfield. Once up on the summit ridge the wind really picked up and it had a raw, biting edge to it.
A fantastic view along the length of Coniston Water.
Holme Fell summit looking to the far eastern fells.
Barking Dougal and ready to pounce Fletcher on Holme Fell.
A panoramic shot of Wetherlam.
A short walk away from the summit is Ivy Crag, arguably a better viewpoint than the true summit and certainly an airier perch with a large cairn. This view is looking across the main summit ridge in the middle distance to Wetherlam which dominates.
The view from Ivy Crag across Tilberthwaite and Lingmoor Fell to the Langdale Pikes.
Looking north-east to the Ill Bell ridge from the descent. The trees look a bit bare now after Storm Arwen.
Back down at the reservoir which is partially frozen still.
The second (hidden) reservoir - Dougal and Fletcher have seen something!
Footnote #1: If you look closely in this 'quick on the draw' photo you might be able to see what Dougal and Fletcher had spotted in the last photo. It was a fantastic sight - a magnificent stag descended the crag in front of us no more than 10m away, stared at us for a couple of seconds then bolted. That was a sight to remember for sure, it was the biggest stag I have seen for a long time in the Lake District. Of course those two nearly went through themselves and didn't know what to make of it!
Footnote #2: There are signs of Storm Arwen all over the Lake District with fallen trees etc everywhere and there are unfortunately still (at the time of typing) people without power. When I parked at Hodge Close and set off this morning, mine was the only car there. When I came back it looked like the whole of Electricity North West had descended upon the area with lots of vans and equipment down there. Great too see them at work and chasing down the issues, I hope they get everyone re-connected soon.
