Striding Edge

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Newlands Round

Walked on 11/11/2021

Start point: Chapel Bridge, Little Town (NY 232 194)

Start Time: 06:55

Weather: Sunny spells.

Partly Cloudy                 
Temperature      6 ℃ 
Feels like       1 ℃
Wind Speed       3.8 mi/h
Wind Direction   S
Humidity         95%

Little Town – Chapel Bridge – Low High Snab – High Snab Bank – Robinson – Littledale Edge – Hindscarth – Hindscarth Edge – Dale Head – Dalehead Tarn – High Spy – Maiden Moor – Hause Gate – Catbells – Little Town

Well it’s been a long time since I did this one! The last time I did this route was in 2003 but of course the fells have been visited since then using different routes. It was longer and tougher than I remember but then again perhaps it is because I have 18 more years in my legs. This is a fantastic round and one that I can highly recommend and the conditions were absolutely perfect for it with fine Autumn weather. As you will see the conditions all around weren’t necessarily so good so I struck lucky today.

For anyone interested, there are two Striding Edge Lake District calendars this year, an A3 one and an A5 desktop version. They are available here and there is a multi-buy discount available for both sizes.

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Little Dale pre-sunrise from High Snap Bank. That was a steep climb to start the day!

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Fletcher with Robinson (today's first target) behind.

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Sunrise over Skiddaw and Blencathra, it is looking like it will shape up to be a good day. We are still in the shade as the sun has not appeared over the Hindscarth ridge to the east. It was about here I realised that I did not have the light gloves on I was wearing earlier so I retraced my steps back to the only logical place they could be which is where the Fletcher photo was taken. Unfortunately I could not see them - I will have to send Louise up to have a look as my man look was obviously not good enough!

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Approaching the climb to Robinson.

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It's turning into a nice sunrise now on this wide shot.

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Close up on Blencathra.

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I don't remember this climb being so rocky and a bit of a scramble in places.

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Climbing higher and looking back the cloud is already drifting in.

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A panoramic from the summit plateau of Robinson.

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Robinson.

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Fletcher has spotted someone over on High Stile!

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Looking down to Buttermere and Crummock Water from the summit of Robinson.

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On Littledale Edge, we will follow the diagonal path to the left to climb to the summit of Hindscarth. Firstly, Fletcher has to negotiate the heavy traffic crossing our path.

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A little bit of sunshine lights up High Crag, High Stile and red Pike. There were fleeting glimpses of the sun throughout this section and on the exposed parts the wind was quite cool whilst out of the wind it was really quite warm. This made it one of those 'too hot - too cold' walks which was difficult to balance without a load of faffing around with clothing.

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The summit of Hindscarth.

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On Hindscarth Edge heading for Dale Head, the cloud is starting to build over the Scafells in the distance.

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Sunshine over Buttermere.

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Fletcher on Dale Head.

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A magnificent cairn with a magnificent view - the summit of Dale Head.

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The cloud is forming over the Helvellyn ridge now to the east, with a bit of luck we will escape the advancing weather.

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Skiddaw and the Newlands valley.

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Down at Dalehead Tarn with High Spy beyond. I went to the shelter on the far side of the tarn below the rocky outcrop to the right for a coffee and a think. It was Armistice Day and it was about 11am so it made perfect sense to have a couple of minutes of true silence and reflection on events of the past. We will not forget them.

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Onward and upward - the summit cairn on High Spy and it was here I came across the first other peopleI had seen all day.

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Derwent Water from Blea Crag, a fantastic viewpoint and worth the slight detour from the main path.

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The summit of Maiden Moor with an unimpressive cairn after the edifices that mark the previous two summits.

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A panorama of a magnificent view from Maiden Moor. 'It must be something like this in heaven' - Wainwright, Maiden Moor 8

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There were lots of people climbing Catbells from all angles and it suddenly got very busy.

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Autumn colours at the southern end of Derwent Water.

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Well this wasn't here last time I climbed Catbells - a summit column complete with viewpoint marker. This was the only decent photo I could get as I was surrounded by people up here, it was really busy!

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Llama drama! No, it is actually Alpaca drama and something you don't see every day and there were two of them climbing from Little Town to Catbells. Apparently it is a thing to walk an Alpaca - who knew?

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Nearly back to the car at Little Town with a view to Hindscarth and Robinson. That was the end of a long walk for me but a thoroughly enjoyable one and the weather was pretty well perfect for walking. By the time I had driven round to Thirlmere (which can be no more than a mile away as the crow flies) it was raining and miserable. I could scarcely believe it after being in the opposite conditions all day.

Maiden Moor

Height: 576 metres / 1890 feet Grid reference: NY 23675 18193 Category: The North Western Fells

Maiden Moor with Hindscarth beyond from Catbells

Maiden Moor with Hindscarth beyond from Catbells

Hindscarth and Robinson from the summit of Maiden Moor

Hindscarth and Robinson from the summit of Maiden Moor

Maiden Moor from Hause Gate

Maiden Moor from Hause Gate

Newlands Round

Walked on 01/11/2010

Start point: Hawes End (NY 247 212)

Hawes End – Skelgill Bank – Catbells – Maiden Moor – High Spy – Dale Head –  Hindscarth – High Crags – Red Knott –Scope End – Little Town – Skelgill – Hawes End

Distance: 10 miles     Total Ascent: 1066 metres     Time Taken: 5 hours     Start Time: 07:00

Weather: Sunny and clear. 10C

The weather turned out much better than I expected today. Driving through the Lake District early the early morning fog, I knew this was inversion weather – Coniston, Windermere, the Vale of Grasmere, St John’s in the Vale and the Vale of Keswick were all covered by a thick carpet of mist but I only made up my mind where to walk at the very last minute. It was a good decision too I think as the mist lifted as the sun rose and covered many of the fell tops. I never saw another soul today!

 

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Newlands Round route map.

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First sight of Skiddaw over the inversion and colourful trees.

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Panoramic Derwent Water inversion.

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Blencathra across the sea of fog.

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The view from higher up and the Vale of Keswick is immersed under the fog.

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Autumn view.

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The cloud cap on Blencathra is beautifully lit up by the rising sun.

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Looking across to the sun rising over Coledale.

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Climbing higher.

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Sunrise over Bleaberry Fell.

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Beautiful colours in the sunshine.

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Catbells ahead from Skelgill Bank.

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On Skelgill Bank in the sunshine.

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The whole of the Vale of Keswick is under cloud this morning.

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Nearly there!

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The summit of Catbells.

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Dougal takes a look into Borrowdale, heading for Hause Gate.

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Swinside and Dodd, Bassenthwaite Lake under mist.

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Misty trees below.

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Closing in.

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Colours and Keswick.

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Borrowdale sunrise.

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Autumn.

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Manesty Park.

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Houses in the mist.

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A view into Borrowdale from the climb to Maiden Moor, Castle Crag to the right.The sunrise has cleared the bulk of the mist from Derwent Water now.

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Panoramic Derwent Water.

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Blencathra reflections.

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Looking back to Catbells from the climb to Maiden Moor.

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The view across the Newlands Valley.

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Hindscarth and Robinson from the summit of Maiden Moor.

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High Spy.

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Dougal and Casper on High Spy.

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Looking towards Great Gable over Dale Head Tarn.

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Dale Head.

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Casper and the Newlands Valley.

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Beyond the central ridge, Helvellyn is under a thick blanket of cloud.

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On the summit of Dale Head and the wind was absolutely freezing up here. First time this season for the winter jacket and gloves.

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The view towards Helvellyn from Dale Head.

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Buttermere.

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The High Stile ridge.

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The summit of Hindscarth.

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Hindscarth and Robinson from Scope End.

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Dougal works out the homeward route.

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Scope End.

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Newlands Church.

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Causey Pike and Rowling End.

A Newlands Round

Walked on 14/01/2009

Start point: Hawes End (NY 247 212)

Hawes End – Skelgill Bank – Catbells – Maiden Moor – High Spy – Dale Head –  Hindscarth – High Crags – Red Knott – Scope End – Little Town – Skelgill – Hawes End

Distance: 10 miles     Total Ascent: 1066 metres     Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Cold, clear at first but later in mist. 5°C

I could not believe the difference between the south Lakes and the north today. Travelling over Dunmail Raise is was as if I was transported from the dull and dreary south to the bright and frosty north on a different day. The day promised much when I set off for Catbells from Hause End but a lot of the high fells ended up being covered in cloud after the sun rose. The views from Catbells, though, made getting out of bed that bit earlier today well worth it.

Dale-Head-Horseshoe

Dale Head Horseshoe route map.

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The sunrise at the start of the walk from Hawes End. Derwent Water is covered in mist and the rising sun looks great on a cloud topped Skiddaw.

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Looking west towards Causey Pike over Newlands all is cold and frosty.

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Mist on Derwent Water and over Keswick.

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Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell across the water.

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Climbing higher towards Catbells with the sun still on Skiddaw.

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The mist is already starting to lift and showing some cloud reflections. Blencathra is cloud covered in the left distance.

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What a view.

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The rising sun on Grisedale Pike.

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Catbells and Skelgill Bank.

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A panoramic view from Skelgill Bank.

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The view to Newlands Hause with Robinson left and Ard Crags right.

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Swinside and Bassenthwaite Lake.

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Skiddaw is clearing of cloud now.

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Blencathra under cloud.

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A cold and frosty climb towards Catbells.

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Catbells ahead.

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The frozen summit of Catbells looking towards Bassenthwaite Lake.

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Casper finds it hair raising this morning.

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Heading for Maiden Moor across Hause Gate. Look at the cloud starting to drift across Maiden Moor - by the time I reached it, it came across with a (cold) vengeance.

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Derwent Water reflections with Clough Head peeping above the cloud beyond.

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A final glimmer of sunshine looking back to Catbells across Hause Gate.

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Catbells and Derwent Water from the climb.

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Here comes the freezing waves of cloud push by a really cold and biting wind.

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Hindscarth and Robinson from the summit of Maiden Moor. This view makes it look better than it really was as the cloud only parted briefly.

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High Spy.

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Descending to Dalehead Tarn (which can be seen on the left) with Dale Head briefly appearing from the cloud.

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On the frozen Dale Head summit.

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Casper on Dale Head.

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Great Gable and Pillar across Ennerdale.

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During the descent of Hindscarth Edge the views opened up again.

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Buttermere and the High Stile ridge.

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The path to Hindscarth can clearly be seen arcing around to the right with Robinson directly ahead.

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High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike across Buttermere.

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Green and Great Gable.

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Looking back to Dale Head from the path to Hindscarth.

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High Stile from Hindscarth.

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Monochrome view from Hindscarth.

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The descent from Hindscarth to Scope End.

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Hindscarth from Scope End. At least it was a bit warmer by the time I got to here!

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Bath time for Casper in Newlands Beck.

A Newlands Round

Walked on 05/11/2007

Start point: Chapel Bridge, Little Town (NY 232 194)

Little Town – Skelgill Bank – Catbells – Maiden Moor – High Spy on Scawdel Fell – Dale Head –  Hindscarth – High Crags – Red Knott – Scope End – Little Town

Distance: 9.3 miles     Total Ascent: 1000 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours 40 minutes

Weather: Wind and rain. 12oC.

Today I met up with Andy Lang for an early start to complete a circuit of Dale Head. After looking a bit grim at the start of the walk, it did seem as though it was going to brighten up before the weather took a turn for the worse during the climb to Maiden Moor. From there, across High Spy, Dale Head and Hindscarth, the weather was pretty horrendous with very strong wind and rain and of course, views (and photos) were non-existent on this portion of the walk. Miraculously, at the end of the walk the sun shone and, at valley level at least, all was calm.

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The view from Little Town - Hindscarth and Scope End to the left with the path to be used in descent clearly visible through the bracken. To the right is Robinson.

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Causey Pike and Rowling End across the Newlands Valley from the same vantage point.

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Still in the valley looking across to Ard Crags and Causey Pike.

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It looks like the cloud is clearing from Hindscarth and Robinson now.

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A steep, steep climb took us directly to Skelgill Bank, a subsidiary summit of Cat Bells with a view of Derwent Water and Keswick with Skiddaw and Blencathra under apparently lifting cloud.

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Heading for Cat Bells.

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There is a bit of a scramble to reach the top of Cat Bells.

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Casper on the summit. I reckoned Cat Bells to be the only fell I hadn't been on the top on my own previously, but I made that one today too.

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Derwent Water and Keswick from Cat Bells.

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The way to go - Maiden Moor with Hindscarth beyond.

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Autumn colours in Manesty Park and across Borrowdale.

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Maiden Moor from Hause Gate.

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A final view of Cat Bells before the weather really came in behind us. Even in this shot, the wind was very strong and with it came lashings of rain. We were absolutely sodden and even had a 'what on earth are we doing here?' moment on High Spy (although we did think it was preferable to many other things we could have been doing!). It didn't look like the weather would improve at all for the rest of the walk...

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...but, descending from Hindscarth the light suddenly improved as we came through the cloud layer. In this photo, the wind was whipping across the ridge from left to right and made walking difficult, along with the treacherous wet and slippery rocks.

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Completely clear of the murk now.

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It's clearing out over High Spy and Dale Head.

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Robinson from High Crags.

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It can't be true, can it? Sunshine and blue sky over Robinson now, a real turn up for the books.

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Even Hindscarth is clear on the summit now looking back along the High Crags ridge.

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Sunshine in Newlands.

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Cat Bells (complete with figure on the summit) over Knott End with Blencathra beyond.

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The aftermath - Casper looks like he has been dragged through a hedge backwards after walking in all that wind and rain. I dread to think what I looked like!

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Looking back to Scope End and Robinson from Chapel Bridge, all in glorious sunshine now of course.

Dale Head Horseshoe

Walked on 19/10/2004

Start point: Car Park at Hawse End (NY 248 212)

Hawes End – Skelgill Bank (183) – Catbells (184) – Maiden Moor (185) – High Spy on Scawdel Fell (186) – Dale Head (187) –  Hindscarth (188) – High Crags (189) – Red Knott (190) – Scope End (191) – Hawes End

Weather: Windy, grey and damp – some sunshine towards the end.

A beautiful round of the Newlands Valley today, taking in the ever popular Cat Bells and the high point of Dale Head. There are lovely views all round on this horseshoe, the descent from Hindscarth being particularly appealing.

Dalehead

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Cat Bells from Skelgill Bank.

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Knott End, Hindscarth and Robinson from Cat Bells summit with Little Town below.

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Derwent Water from the cairn on Blea Crag.

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Looking back to Maiden Moor from High Spy.

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Dale Head from High Spy - the steep ascent is to the left of the crags.

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High Spy from Newlands Beck, the path I used in descent can be seen in the centre.

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Dalehead Tarn from the ascent of Dale Head.

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Looking along the Newlands Valley from Dale Head.

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Buttermere from Hindscarth Edge.

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The visible path follows the ridge from Hindscarth to Scope End. Adjacent is High Snab Bank with a view of the Derwent Fells. See below for an annotated version of this photo.

19th October - Dale Head Hoeseshoe 061 annotated

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Sunlight on Robinson from High Crags. In the distance is Wandope - Eel Crag (Grasmoor behind) - Sail, in the centre distance is the Knott Rigg - Ard Crags ridge.

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High Crags and Robinson from Red Knott.

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Rowling End - left, Swinside - centre and on the right Skelgill Bank leading from Derwent Water to Cat Bells from Scope End.

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A glimpse of sunshine and a view along the Newlands Valley to Dale Head.

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Hindscarth, Scope End and Robinson from Little Town.

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Newlands Round

Walked on 23/10/2003

Little Town – Chapel Bridge – Low High Snab – High Snab Bank – Robinson (127) – Littledale Edge – Hindscarth (128) – Hindscarth Edge – Dale Head (129) – Dalehead Tarn – High Spy (130) – Maiden Moor (131) – Hause Gate – Catbells (132) – Hause Gate – Little Town

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Newlands Church at the start of the walk.

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Scope End from Newlands.

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Ard Crags and Knott Rigg with Crag Hill and Sail behind.

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Robinson from High Snab bank.

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Buttermere and Crummock Water from Robinson's summit. Mellbreak is to the left and Whiteless Pike to the right.

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Kirk Fell and the Scafells over the Ennerdale Valley from the summit of Robinson.

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Maiden Moor and Catbells from Hindscarth.

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Hindscarth summit.

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Dale Head summit cairn.

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High Spy summit cairn.

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Derwent Water from Maiden Moor summit.

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The Coledale Fells from Maiden Moor.

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Skiddaw, Blencathra and Derwent Water from Cat Bells summit.

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Return to Little Town: L-R Hindscarth, Scope End, Robinson, High Snab Bank.

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Causey Pike from Little Town.

Walking Diary

  • The Mosedale Horseshoe 01/03/2022
  • Caw 18/01/2022
  • Coniston sunset 17/01/2022
  • Blencathra 15/01/2022
  • Scafell Pike 14/01/2022

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