Blawith Knott

Walked on 20/10/2009

Start point: Woodland Fell road (SD 256 879)

Woodland Fell Road – Blawith Knott (OF) – Angus Tarn – Tottlebank Height (OF) – Woodland Fell Road

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 156 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Sunny spells. 14C.

It was a pleasant autumn afternoon for a stroll along to Blawith Knott and Tottlebank Height with the showing itself at intervals. These fells seemed to be on the line between the sunny and bright weather to the south and west and darker, more ominous looking weather to the north and east. It was to see that Angus Tarn was full again, you may remember that when we visited in July it was completely dry. I also managed to visit a ‘Great Slab’ and ‘Sharp Edge’ today, amazing what you can find on these smaller fells!

Blawith Knott route map.

Tottlebank Height over a tarn on Heathwaite Fell.

The welcoming party - she could be an honorary Beardie with a haircut like that! I like the way the tag goes right through her ears - come in number 4 billion and one, your time is up...

Sunshine over me and a dark sky over Blawith Knott.

Black Combe from Giant's Grave.

Making a dash for it.

The sunshine glinting on the beautiful Duddon Estuary.

The Dunnerdale fells from the first cairn on the summit.

Dougal and Casper on Blawith Knott.

The fell dog surveys all he commands on the summit of Blawith Knott.

The [path to Tottlebank Height leads straight past Angus Tarn.

Angus Tarn is full again today.

Casper has a dip whilst Dougal decides to stay with his dad.

Casper in Angus Tarn.

The Great Slab of Tottlebank Height?

Beacon Fell from Tottlebank Height with the smallest glimpse of Coniston Water to the right of it.

Windswept on Tottlebank Height.

Descending the mini Sharp Edge from Tottlebank Height!

Autumn track.

Hugill Fell

Walked on 15/10/2009

Start point: Barley Bridge, Staveley (SD 470 987)

Hugill Fell (OF) from Staveley

Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 160 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Damp and dreary. 15C.

It was a claggy old day today with the mist and drizzle clinging to the fell sides. I opted for a shorter – and lower – walk up to Hugill Fell, the perfect training ground for Dougal. He needs to practice those descents though, it was amusing watching him trying to keep up with Casper and running at full pelt down the hill only to bowl over when his legs could go no faster!

Hugill Fell route map.

Heron reflection on the weir at Barley Bridge.

He had a good perch and was quite content to sit around. Better here than at my garden pond!

The weir.

Tommy Haircut.

Looking back towards Staveley from the climb. Damp and dreary it was, but also very warm.

Running for Hugill Fell, the cairn visible on the skyline.

Kentmere from Hugill Fell.

The cairn on Hugill Fell seems to change shape every time I visit. Nice to see it still there though.

Casper and Dougal at the cairn. Look at all the flying ants buzzing around the cairn, there were thousands of them today.

Looks like a couple of people have reached the top of Reston Scar across the way.

'What are you doing up there?'.

Reflections on a calm River Kent.

School Knott

Walked on 30/09/2009

Start point: Droomer Road, Heathwaite (SD 419 977)

Heathwaite – School Knott (OF) – Grandsire (OF) – Heathwaite

Distance: 2.2 miles Total Ascent: 150 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Long sunny spells. 16C.

It is ages since I have been up to School Knott, 5 years in fact which I can hardly believe. I guess when they are right on your doorstep you tend to pass them by. There are lovely views from here and it was worth a visit today as Bowness and Windermere seemed to be the only places with any sunshine or views, the rest of the lakes was covered in low lying cloud and there were lots of showers around. Young Dougal had another outing, I love to see him running free – it’s how a dog should be.

School Knott route map.

An old bridge over Mill Beck. I suspect that this was originally in the middle of open fields but now a modern housing estate surrounds it.

Sunny and Autumnal on the climb to School Knott but the weather further north looks a bit ominous.

Orrest Head.

Running free - the boys make a break for it, the top of School Knott is to the right.

Autumn at Windermere.

Two peas in a pod - Casper and Dougal.

Windermere - town and lake - from School Knott.

Loughrigg Fell at the head of Windermere. The town gets the sunshine whilst the Langdale Pikes are obliterated by showers.

Heading for Grandsire across School Knott Tarn.

You may have heard of the latest sightings of 'Bownessie', our very own Lake District monster in Windermere. Here he is in School Knott Tarn!

School Knott Tarn reflections.

Little Dougally Doo summits Grandsire.

School Knott is still sunlit to the left and even the Langdales look like they are brightening now but we were soon caught by the drizzle.

The summit outcrop of Grandsire. I tried to match the Wainwright sketch of this as closely as possible and it is interesting to find the exact place where he took his photos from. Someone who has done this for all the Wainwright sketches from the Pictorial Guides is Andy Beck, who's meticulous work to transform the Wainwright sketches to colour is to form an exhibition at Rheged from 10th October to 20th November. Check here for more details and to view some of his fabulous work.

The view to the south east from Grandsire.

Heading back towards Windermere on the Dales Way.

Old Droomer, a real old fashioned Lake District farmhouse. The shame of it is that the farm has now gone and it is surrounded by the Droomer housing estate that took its name from the farm.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 12/09/2009

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm.22C.

It was a gorgeous day today, too good to miss out on a walk when the opportunity arose. I really fancied having a swim somewhere and Beacon Fell ticked all the right boxes for that along with the views of course. Although it was sunny and warm, autumn is quickly catching us now and the fells are turning a beautiful golden colour which was enhanced by the sunshine today.

Beacon Fell route map.

First sight of the Coniston fells.

Top o' Selside and the tiniest glimpse of Coniston Water from the climb to Beacon.

More of Coniston Water comes into view as we climb higher. Lost something Casper?

Ah, there you are Dougal Doo! Beacon Fell is the other way, behind you. What a good lad he was today - no, make that a very good lad. This was his first taste of the freedom of the fells as he was off the lead throughout the walk. No problems responding to command, no problems with sheep, in fact no problems at all.

Casper and Dougal show their family similarity.

Together in the heather.

Coniston Water.

The head of the lake from the climb with the Fairfield fells beyond.

The Coniston range.

Beacon Fell summit. The 'treasure' tin we placed here in April has gone as has everything we left inside including the fable of the box. It has been replaced with a rather less elegant plastic box, suitably enhanced earlier the same day with Spiderman badges kindly left by a young StridingEdge fan, Alfie.

Brock Barrow above High Nibthwaite at the southern end of Coniston Water.

That's a nice look Casper, glad I groomed you this morning.

Dougal has managed to keep clean for his summit shot.

A portrait of Dougal on Beacon Fell.

What a day. What a place.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

The mighty Wetherlam beyond Torver.

Beacon Tarn, known forever in our house as 'Sparkly Tarn' due to the moniker Connie gave it a couple of years ago.

Casper was first in, closely followed by...

...well, me! In this reversal of roles, Dougal is guarding our things whilst we have a swim. I wonder if he can find a stick for me to fetch?

At great risk to life, limb and camera, BeaconTarnCam brings you the view from the middle of the tarn looking to Wool Knott. It was wonderful in here today and I spent a good while having a swim in the warm sunshine. Absolute heaven. I couldn't help thinking, though, that this was probably the final curtain call for summer and the last outdoor swim of 2009.

Casper doesn't look like he will give Dougal any swimming lessons, so I did.

I don't think he will be the next Angus as far as swimming goes but Dougal does bear more than a passing resemblance to him in this shot.

Damp dogs drying off in the sunshine.

The Old Man and Wetherlam from an un-named tarn on the return.

There is a magnificent display of bright red berries on this Rowan Tree.

Devoke Water

Walked on 24/08/2009

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Devoke Water – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 140 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Sunny spells. 17C.

It was oddly sunny-but-not today as there seemed there was a lot of high level cloud giving shade cover a lot of the time. There has been plenty of rain over the weekend too, so this normally boggy walk was even worse today. It was a good little taster of fell life for Dougal, though, and Connie loves it up here too. Today was the first time I have had a chance to play with my new camera – of course when you upgrade you end up getting more buttons and more menus to learn – I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it all in the end. The camera was purchased with the proceeds from the 2010 calendar, so thanks to all who have bought one.

Devoke Water route map.

Casper's off, heading for Rough Crag.

The lovely view across Birker Fell.

The Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Harter Fell all in view from here.

Woodend height across Devoke Water.

The cairn at the top of Rough Crag.

Connie, Dougal and a rather mucky Casper on Rough Crag.

Harter Fell from Rough Crag, the Coniston fells beyond.

Connie points out the old boathouse on Devoke Water below whilst Casper decides to head for Water Crag!

Scafell and Slight Side. Great Gable is just peeping through to the left.

Best pals.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable, Boat How central.

Harter Fell, Crook Crag and Green Crag, Grey Friar beyond.

Heading for Water Crag.

Looking back along the path from Rough Crag.

The West Cumbrian coast from Water Crag.

Dougal tries to break Casper's world record for the longest tongue.

The mermaid of Water Crag, Woodend Height looming behind.

Rough Crag, Harter fell and Green Crag from Water Crag with Grey Friar in the distance.

Casper works out the best route down to Devoke Water.

The Scafells and Rough Crag from one of the many ancient cairns in the area.

Looking back up to Water Crag.

Go on Dougal, you know you want to...

...and of course he did! Wet little Dougal-Doo.

Devoke Water.

Hesk Fell and the old boathouse.

Seat How.

The return along the track.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 07/08/2009

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Weather: Sunny. 20C.

Dougal came of age today being exactly 13 weeks old – what that means in young puppy terms is that you are allowed out into the big wide world, confident that you will not pick up any strange illnesses. For a short and easy walk to tire the young chap out, I decided to climb Brock Barrow at the foot of Coniston Water. It is funny how certain fells bring back memories and this holds more than its fair share for me. It was the fell that Angus got lost on one time and also the last fell he climbed before he hung up his boots (barring the Lance Armstrong style comeback for a crack at climbing Gummer’s How), so it was fitting that this should be Dougal’s first. Unsurprisingly, he carried the walk off with aplomb – he’s going to be a good ‘un that lad, I can tell that for sure.

Brock Barrow route map.

Looking back to Beacon Fell over High Nibthwaite. It was a jungle up there.

Allan Tarn, Blawith beyond. Tottlebank Height is the highest point to the right.

Heading for Brock Barrow. The climb to it is not as bad as it looks and I think Wainwright gave a poor route to get up to it in his Top o' Selside walk in The Outlying Fells. In those days, it was a nameless summit 748' and the route he describes is a steep scree climb straight up this face of it along the visible groove. However, if you carry on along the path to the east (to the right of this photo), the climb is much gentler before it cuts back to the north west to reach the top. The main obstacle on this route at the moment is the bracken.

Hurry up Uncle Casper.

Heathery Casper.

Made it! Well done Dougal, the first of many I think and he was such a good lad.

The Coniston fells from the cairn on Brock Barrow. The views were superb today with a light breeze blowing on the top making it a classic English summer day.

Little Dougal looks impressed.

Where are you skulking off to?

The dogless view.

Looking across Allan Tarn to Blawith Knott and Black Combe, below is High Nibthwaite.

The foot of Coniston Water.

We stayed here for a good while, having a lie in the grass and enjoying the sun giving Dougal plenty of recovery time.

There were lots of new things to see for him.

Looks like he has inherited the Casper tongue as well.

The Coniston fells across the blooming heather.

Heading for the second cairn.

Low Light Haw from the second cairn.

Coniston Water.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Wetherlam and the Yewdale Fells.

Beacon Fell.

What a day.

I descended directly to the track running across the centre of this photo. The path was often lost in the head height bracken and old Dougally Doo required a bit of a carry here, after all some of you may remember what happened to Angus a couple of years ago when the bracken was a similar height - he disappeared!

The Gormley Sentinel keeps an eye on Beacon Fell back down at High Nibthwaite.

It was tempting for a swim here.

Tranquillity in Swallows and Amazons country.

Stickle Pike

Walked on 13/07/2009

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 105 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes

Weather: Sunny spell, breezy on top. 20C.

The schools have now finished and Connie only has eight weeks left to occupy herself! We decided to walk up Stickle Pike on this first day of the holidays and it was really sunny and warm when we set off in the car. All that had changed though by the time we made it to Kiln Bank Cross and all thoughts of a swim or a paddle went out of the window with the strong breeze that was blowing across the fells. It’s always a good one, though, is Stickle Pike with fab views all around.

Caw catches the sun but has an ominously black sky over it.

Clouds gathering over the Coniston fells.

Sunshine over the Duddon Valley - for now.

There are some big clouds forming to the south too, the way we are going.

The sentinel of Stickle Pike.

Caw blimey, it's all looking very green!

First one in.

One up, one down on the steep bit.

School's out for summer - Connie and Casper have a giggle at the summit.

Great Stickle and the Duddon Estuary.

A magnificent view to England's finest fells from the south cairn. By the time we got down they were completely covered in cloud and it was raining, so pretty good timing really.

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.

Blawith Knott

Walked on 12/06/2009

Start point: Woodland Fell road (SD 256 879)

Woodland Fell Road – Blawith Knott (OF) – Tottlebank Height (OF) – Woodland Fell Road

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 156 metres Time Taken: 50 minutes

Weather: Sunny. 17C.

It was a lovely afternoon for a short walk to the ever delightful Blawith Knott and Tottlebank Height. It felt like summer was here once more and it was a joy to walk over this way today. Of course we took in the previously self-named Angus Tarn where Casper naturally stopped for a cooling dip, although it is rapidly disappearing to take on its dried up summer status (see the route map as it has been officially named by the StridingEdge mapping service!).

Blawith Knott route map.

Giant's Grave.

The path to Blawith Knott.

The Coniston fells from the first cairn on the ridge.

A similar view from higher up at the western summit cairn.

The summit of Blawith Knott, the Coniston fells remain the main view with the Scafells in view on the distant left.

A panoramic view from Blawith Knott.

King Casper on Blawith Knott.

A close up on the Coniston fells.

The Dunnerdale fells.

Scafell and Scafell Pike.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Black Combe and the two summit cairns.

Casper remembers at Angus Tarn. Do you remember...

Angus, the bark monster, in Angus Tarn 9th April 2008

The Coniston fells across Angus Tarn.

Tottlebank Height.

Beacon Fell is central with the merest glimpse of Coniston Water with Fairfield and the Far Eastern fells beyond.

A beautiful summer day.

Casper is enjoying the sunshine here on Tottlebank Height.

Blawith Knott.

Orrest Head

Walked on 27/03/2009

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 120 metres Time Taken: 20 minutes

Weather: Windy and cold. 6°C.

Winter seems to have returned once more and there is snow on the high fells, in fact it was snowing when I set off for Orrest Head at lunchtime and the wind made it feel really cold. No hanging around for me and the boy wonder then, so it was straight up and down today.

Snow on the Coniston fells and a very brief spell of sunshine over Windermere from the Windermere Hotel.

The far eastern fells from the summit viewpoint indicator on Orrest Head.

The Langdale Pikes and the head of Windermere.

The view to the south over Bowness and along Windermere.

Caudale Moor and the Ill Bell ridge.

Red Screes peering over the top of Wansfell.

Blimey, I thought that was old Wainwright himself looking out from his first fell!

Windswept Casper.

The view indicator has been replaced since I was last here at Christmas. 'Lake Windermere'? I thought it was just called Windermere!

School Knott across the busy A591.

Sunshine on The Howgills.

Latterbarrow

Walked on 15/03/2009

Start point: Colthouse (SD 360 988)

Latterbarrow (OF) from Colthouse

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 143 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and clear. 11°C.

It was warm today and really Spring-like, so much so that I only wore a t-shirt (and trousers of course!) for a quick jaunt up to Latterbarrow where the views were as good as ever from this lowly fell which seems to be surrounded by the higher ones. As we head out of winter, I am on a mission now to get into lightweight gear as I am fed up with carting round all my existing heavy stuff. First on the list today was a new rucksack, so it is out with the old 30 litre North Face one and in with an OMM 20 litre Adventure Light. That just means I have to get more compact gear to fit in it now…

Latterbarrow route map.

A silhouette of the Coniston fells from the climb on the western side of Latterbarrow.

A fine view to Helvellyn, Fairfield and Red Screes from the top.

We are not the only ones enjoying the warm spring-like weather today.

A panoramic view from Latterbarrow.

The far eastern fells across Windermere.

The summit obelisk, the Langdale Pikes to the left.

Casper wondering when he will get a haircut.

Seat Sandal and Helvellyn.

Red Screes above Ambleside.

Casper on the steep path on the way down.

Stickle Pike

Walked on 05/01/2007

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 225 metres Time Taken: 1 hour.

Weather: Bright and breezy. 9°C

After another miserable morning, the skies suddenly cleared at lunchtime and it was bright enough for us to get up to that well worn favourite of ours, Stickle Pike. It was fairly windy up there, especially by the tarn but at least we didn’t get wet!

Great Stickle and Stickle Pike

Caw.

Raven's Crag.

A windswept Stickle Tarn.

The 'SS Angus' sets sail!

Caw across Stickle Tarn.

The Knott and Dunnerdale.

Looking across to the Raven's Crag ridge.

This is a steep way we picked Connie!

The summit of Stickle Pike, Green Crag and Harter Fell beyond.

Caw from the southern summit of Stickle Pike. The shadow is Angus, Connie and me!

Casper, Angus and Connie.

Green Crag and Harter Fell across the Duddon Valley.

Silhouetted - Great Stickle, Stickle Pike southern summit and Stickle Pike summit cairn, the Duddon Estuary beyond.

Harter Fell across the Duddon Valley.

An ominous looking Caw.

Low flying aeroplane over the Duddon Valley.

A portrait of Connie.

Hesk Fell.

Sunset in Dunnerdale.

Gummer’s How

Walked on 27/10/2005

Start point: Gummer’s How Car Park (SD 390 877)

Gummer’s How Car Park – Gummer’s How (OF) – Gummer’s How Car Park

Distance: 1.2 miles Total Ascent: 150 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: A very warm and welcome 18°C.

Wow, what a change in the weather today after what seems like an age of constant heavy rain. The sun was shining in an unseasonal return to summer – I almost dusted my shorts off for our walk to family favourite, Gummer’s How today!

Gummer's How

Slow down, slow down! Connie and Angus take off to Gummer's How.

So this is what those trig. columns are for!

The best of friends.

Looking along Windermere, the early mist is still low on the lake at the top end.

The steamer on Windermere leaves Lakeside.

The descent from the summit.

The southern end of Windermere and the River Leven.

Autumn on Gummer's How.

Windermere from Lakeside, Gummer's How to the right.

The weir on the River Leven at Newby Bridge.

The River Leven in full flow at Backbarrow...

...and further downstream.

Stickle Pike

Walked on 25/10/2005

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 153 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Overcast, windy on the summit with a quick shower on the return. 13°C.

After two days of constant heavy rain, it was a welcome opportunity to get out for some fresh air when the heavy clouds finally cleared this afternoon. Connie and Angus certainly seemed pleased to get out at last up to the nearby favourite Stickle Pike.

Great Stickle and Stickle Pike.

Harter Fell at the head of the Duddon Valley.

Angus on the climb up to Stickle Tarn.

Stickle Tarn.

Caw, resplendent in coppery bracken.

Angus and Connie on a windy Stickle Pike summit.

Great Stickle and the Duddon Estuary. See how different the colours were only three months ago here!

The Blacksmiths Arms at Broughton Mills dates back to 1577.

Flat Fell and Dent

Walked on 20/10/2005

Start point: Wath Brow (NY 031 144)

Wath Brow – Nannycatch Road – Flat Fell (OF) – Nannycatch Gate – Raven Crag – Dent (OF) – Black How – Wath Brow

Distance: 5.5 miles Total Ascent: 538 metres Time Taken: 2 hour 10 minutes

Weather: Clear on the lower fells. 12°C.

It looked a bit murky this morning so I had a trip up the west Cumbrian coast to Cleator Moor to follow a Wainright Outlying Fell walk up to Flat Fell and Dent. The summits are nothing spectacular but the Nannycatch valley and Nannycatch Gate were quite striking. The views to the higher fells were obscured by clouds in the main today.

Flat Fell and Dent route map.

Wath Bridge.

Nannycatch Road.

Dent from Flat Fell.

Angus on the summit of Flat Fell.

Herdus appears from the clouds in the distance.

The valley of Nannycatch Beck from Flatfell Screes.

Nannycatch Lane was a bit wet on the approach to Nannycatch Gate!

Raven Crag.

Flat Fell from Dent, the Loweswater fells beyond.

The Wainwright summit of Dent from the O.S summit.

The summit of Dent.

Descending through golden bracken.

The River Ehen.

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.

Caw route map.

Hesk Fell from Park Head Road.

Walking along the Park Head Road, the old quarry road between Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley and Broughton Mills.

Harter Fell across the Duddon Valley, Wallowbarrow Crag in front.

Caw.

Black Combe in the distance with Stickle Pike in the foreground.

Someone's getting the sunshine! The distant Pillar group of fells.

The Duddon Estuary.

Looking to the Coniston fells with Grey Friar to the left.

Caw summit.

Descending the shattered rocks of Caw.

Stickle Pike.

Wet Sleddale Horseshoe

Walked on 10/10/2005

Start point: Wet Sleddale Reservoir dam (NY 555 114)

Wet Sleddale Dam – Lunch House – Gray Bull – Sleddale Pike (422) (OF) – Great Saddle Crag (423) (OF) – Ulthwaite Rigg (424) (OF) – Sleddale Hall – Wet Sleddale Dam

Distance: 8.8 miles Total Ascent: 708 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Grey, rain shower at the end. 15°C.

A return to the Shap Fells again today for a remote and boggy walk around the aptly named Wet Sleddale Horseshoe. If anything, this seemed even more remote than the previous walks I have done in this area so there was no chance of bumping into anyone on this grey Monday morning!

Wet Sleddale Horseshoe route map.

The Wet Sleddale Horseshoe - 10th October 002

Wet Sleddale Reservoir dam.

The Wet Sleddale Horseshoe - 10th October 007

Looking back to the reservoir from an orange field.

The Wet Sleddale Horseshoe - 10th October 010

One of the many Grouse Butts in the area - they can be seen following the path as far as the eye can see.

The Wet Sleddale Horseshoe - 10th October 012

The Lunch House - a resting place for people using the Grouse Butts.

The Wet Sleddale Horseshoe - 10th October 015

Gray Bull - a 9 foot cube of pink granite marked on the OS map - and Grey Dog - a 3 foot Bearded Collie!

The Wet Sleddale Horseshoe - 10th October 024

Angus on a windswept Sleddale Pike.

The Wet Sleddale Horseshoe - 10th October 029

Great Saddle Crag - a mini-Blencathra!

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On the summit of Great Saddle Crag looking along the Wet Sleddale Valley.

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Peat Hags on the way to Ulthwaite Rigg. We encountered a lone stag on here and there were eerie stag calls echoing around the valley for the rest of the walk.

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Looking along Sleddale Beck to the reservoir from Ulthwaite Rigg.

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The now defunct Sleddale Hall.

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Looking back along the valley.

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The stepping stones crossing Sleddale Beck - I got a boot full here on the slippery, wet stones.

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A vibrant Wet Sleddale valley.

Crookdale Horseshoe

Walked on 22/09/2005

Start point: Crookdale Bridge (NY 552 055)

Crookdale Bridge – High House Bank (408) (OF) – Robin Hood (409) (OF) – Lord’s Seat (410) (OF) – Lawyer’s Brow – Wasdale Pike (411) (OF) – Great Yarlside (412) (OF) – Little Yarlside (413) (OF) – What Shaw Common (414) (OF) – Crookdale Bridge

Distance: 9.1 miles Total Ascent: 877 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 25 minutes

Weather: Mixed – overcast with fleeting sunny intervals and quite breezy. 15°C.

Another set of Wainwright Outlying Fells today, this time the walk was on the very eastern edge of the Lake District in the Shap Fells and it takes in ‘The Wasdale Horseshoe’ and ‘The Crookdale Horseshoe’ chapters from the Outlying Fells book. It was breezy on the tops and the clouds were fleeting across the sky giving the occasional sun spot.

The Crookdale Horseshoe route map.

On the 31st August, Connie and I went to watch the cycling Tour of Britain over the Shap fells. Here Roger Hammond leads a breakaway, in the background is High House Bank (incidentally, Hammond, who rides for Lance Armstrong's Discovery Channel team, went on to win the stage in Blackpool). Whilst we were waiting for the cyclists to come, I thought it would be good to walk over some of the fells in the area, so three short weeks later, I have!

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Crookdale Bridge.

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Looking into Borrowdale (not the famous one!) from a windy High House Bank...

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...very windy.

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A fleeting glimpse of sunshine on Robin Hood and Little Yarlside.

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The head of the deserted and uninhabited Borrowdale.

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High House Bank from Robin Hood, a single shaft of light points onto Borrowdale.

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The beacon (now collapsed) on Robin Hood looking to High House Bank.

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Great Yarlside.

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Angus eyes up the small cairn on Lord's Seat as the mist descends top the north over Harrop Pike and Sleddale Fell.

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Wasdale Pike (not the famous Wasdale).

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An unusual trigonometrical survey station on Great Yarlside - a circular metal plate sunk into concrete at ground level - a bit different to the normal column type.

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Following the wall from Great Yarlside.

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Great Yarlside from the summit of Little Yarlside.

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They don't build cairns like this anymore. This one looks like it has been there forever on Whatshaw Common, Robin Hood behind.

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Looking back towards Great Yarlside and Little Yarlside. A forlorn Angus can't jump the fence.

Cold Fell

Walked on 20/09/2005

Cold Fell (OF) from Coldfell Gate

As we were up that way, it seemed a shame on such a nice day to return home early, so we had another short walk to Cold Fell from Coldfell Gate.

Cold Fell route map.

Cold Fell from Coldfell gate.

Seatallan, Haycock and Caw Fell from Cold Fell.

Looking across to the West Cumbrian coast with Egremont below and Whitehaven beyond.

On the summit of Cold Fell.

Kinniside Common from Cold Fell with Lank Rigg to the right.

Ponsonby Fell

Walked on 20/09/2005

Start point: Blengdale (NY 085 053)

Blengdale – Ponsonby Fell (405) (OF) – Stone Pike (406) – Swainson Knott (407) – Blengdale

Distance: 7.3 miles Total Ascent: 382 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Generally clear with sunny intervals. 15°C.

Today’s walk was from Blengdale on the very western edge of the Lake District at Gosforth up to Ponsonby Fell, a Wainwright Outlying fell and later we had another short walk to Cold Fell from Coldfell Gate. Wainwright said of Ponsonby Fell ‘There are no fells not worth climbing, but Ponsonby Fell is very nearly in this category…’. Personally I think he must have gone up there on a bad day because there are some good views with an interesting perspective of the Scafells. See what you think…