Height: 423 metres / 1388 feet Grid reference: NY 13597 22262 Category: The Western Fells
Wainwright’s Low Fell summit is the south cairn. Confusingly Birkett calls this ‘Loweswater Fell’ and the north cairn ‘Low Fell’.
Mellbreak and Crummock Water from Low Fell
Heading for the north top of Low Fell
Start point: Loweswater (NY 128 217)
Loweswater – Darling Fell – Loweswater Fell – Low Fell – Sourfoot Fell – Smithy Fell – Fellbarrow – Askill Knott – Loweswater
Distance: 5 miles Total Ascent: 526 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 15 minutes Start Time: 10:10
Weather: Grey and showery. 7°C
It was a grey old morning and I ended up not doing the walk I expected to but a shorter – and lower – one around the Fellbarrow group of fells. The rain came not long after the start of the walk but at least it dried up before the end. It always seems to be damp when I come this way so I must try and get here on a good day!
Fellbarrow route map.
Carling Knott.
Hen Comb across Loweswater.
Burnbank Fell.
Loweswater panoramic.
Loweswater from the Mosser Road.
Looking northwards across the Solway Firth it seems brighter with Criffel standing proud.
A rest on Darling Fell after the steep climb, beyond is Low Fell Whiteside and Grasmoor.
Before reaching Low Fell there is a steep descent to Crabtree Beck then a re-ascent. The rain was coming in heavily now and I had to stop on the climb to put my waterproofs on.
Mellbreak and Crummock Water from Low Fell (this south top is the Wainwright summit, Birkett calls this Loweswater Fell).
Heading for the north top of Low Fell.
The view from the north top in the pouring rain (Birkett - 'Low Fell').
Lorton Vale from Watching Crag.
Whiteside and Grasmoor.
The uninspiring top (and cairn!) on Sourfoot Fell looking to Smithy Fell and Fellbarrow beyond.
Damp Dougal-Doo!
Getting a 'hurry up' look on Smithy Fell, Fellbarrow ahead.
Casperoo.
Looking back from the climb to Fellbarrow.
The summit of Fellbarrow.
Loweswater from Askill Knott.
A touching sentiment, hidden on a fence on the return.
There were two walks today, both in the pursuit of Casper bagging the last few of his remaining Wainwright fells. The first was a short and easy one up to Latrigg – I guess I am guilty of always bypassing this one for the lure of the higher fells. The second walk took in the fells around Loweswater. This area is probably the longest drive for me to get to from home, so I guess that is why they get neglected…
Walk 2
Start point: Loweswater (NY 143 211)
Loweswater – Foulsyke – Thackthwaite – Fellbarrow – Low Fell – Loweswater – Mosedale – Hen Comb – Loweswater
Distance: 11.2 miles Total Ascent: 909 metres Time Taken: 5 hours
Weather: Rain. 13C.
Loweswater route map.
Loweswater Fell through the rain from the field crossing to Foulsyke.
Whiteside and Grasmoor.
Looking back to Mellbreak. These are all 'smash and grab' photos taken in short interludes in the rain.
That was about it for photos for a while. The heavens really opened as I climbed to Fellbarrow from Thackthwaite, then on the final climb to Fellbarrow the wind whipped up and the rain began to fall in monsoon like conditions!
A quick-snatch photo on Fellbarrow with a half-drowned Casper. We didn't hang around on here - come on, let's go! I think the walk between here and Low Fell was the wettest weather I have ever been in. It was like standing under the shower it was that bad, with the water absolutely pouring down my face and off my waterproofs. I thought I wouldn't see anyone today...until I bumped into a couple of hardy StridingEdge followers who managed to recognise us despite the damp conditions.
Crummock Water and Mellbreak from Low Fell, the rain has blown out for a little while now.
The steep descent down alongside the fence.
Crummock Water and Rannerdale Knotts.
Here it comes again - hang on to your hats!
Loweswater Fell from the bottom and there is even a hint of blue sky now.
Mellbreak with Hen Comb to the right, where we are off next.
Shapely Mellbreak.
Hmm, there was a problem here at the crossing of Mosedale Beck. There had been that much rain that the stepping stones were under all that water somewhere! There was only one thing for it if I was to get to Hen Comb today and that was walk to the bridge at the southern end of the valley.
Hen Comb and Mosedale Beck.
Sunshine on Gale Fell and Mosedale from the oh-so steep climb to Hen Comb.
Mellbreak in sun, Grasmoor beyond.
'I don't believe it!'. Loweswater is sunny now but the wind was fierce.
Great Borne from Hen Comb.
It was really windy on the summit of Hen Comb. If Casper had a bit more hair, he would have shown you just how much!
Buttermere view.
Mosedale from the descent (which had to be the same way due to the river crossing problem).
I think that look says it all Casper - just where did that blue sky come from?
Start point: Loweswater (NY 128 217)
Loweswater – Darling Fell (276) – Loweswater Fell (277) – Low Fell (278) – Sourfoot Fell (279) – Smithy Fell (280) – Fellbarrow (281) – Hatteringill Head on Whin Fell (282) – Loweswater
Weather: Overcast throughout the walk.
A visit to the north western fells above Loweswater today – not much luck with the weather though as the clag stubbornly clung to the fells all day despite their relatively low stature.
Fellbarrow route map.
Elevation profile of the route. Key: DF=Darling Fell, LWF=Loweswater Fell, LF=Low Fell, SF=Sourfoot Fell, SMF=Smithy Fell, F=Fellbarrow, HH=Hatteringill Head on Whin Fell.
3D image of the walk route.
Loweswater from the ascent of Darling Fell. For completeness, summit shots without a view...
Darling Fell.
Low Fell.
Sourfoot Fell.
Smithy Fell. ....and the view on a clearer day...
Where are we?
There was a better view over the Solway Firth to Scotland than anywhere else today...
Loweswater.
Mellbreak.
Rannerdale Knotts across Crummock Water.
Loweswater – Darling Fell – Loweswater Fell – Low Fell (182) – Sourfoot Fell – Smithy Fell – Fellbarrow (183) – Loweswater
A cold day, icy wind on the tops with some snow.
Burnbank Fell from the Mosser Road.
Loweswater from the ascent of Darling Fell.
Mellbreak, Crummock Water and Buttermere from Darling Fell summit.
Crummock Water from Loweswater Fell summit.
..and a similar view from the summit of Low Fell.
Whiteside and Grasmoor from Low Fell.
Fellbarrow summit with Hopegill Head, Whiteside and Grasmoor behind.