Start Point: Yew Tree Tarn (NY 322 003)

Yew Tree Tarn – Uskdale Gap – Ivy Crag – Holme Fell – Hodge Close – Oxen Fell – Iron Keld plantation – Black Fell (Black Crag) – Tarn Hows – Tom Ghyll – Yew Tree Tarn

Distance: 12.7 km
Total Ascent: 386 metres     
Time Taken: 4 hours   
Start Time: 10:10
Weather: Sunny spells, cold wind. 3ºC
Finlay’s Wainwright count: 18/214 (1 new this walk)

Route Map. GPX download available.

There has been lots of snow around this week but the main concern today was ice and there was plenty of that on this walk even though it was comparatively low level. I was quite tempted by Wetherlam but opted for a lower walk today, thinking of Finlay’s experience. It also gave plenty of opt out options depending on conditions so I ended up doing a fairly long walk taking in Black fell again and around Tarn Hows. It was a lovely walk, of course I need to be well wrapped up against the freezing wind and Finlay fared well once more and strengthened his fell walking abilities.

Frozen Yew Tree Tarn at the start of the walk.

A seat with a view a little further around Yew Tree Tarn.

The view to the Langdale Pikes from the top of Uskdale Gap. As soon as I came out of the shelter of the Uskdale Gap which is nestled between crags, there was a really icy north-westerly wind blowing – time to layer up!

Looking towards a cloud capped Helvellyn from Ivy Crag, those clouds look snow laden.

The Old Man and Wetherlam from Ivy Crag, the summit ridge of Holme Fell is the central rib.

A grand view of the full length of Coniston Water, taken from Ivy Crag.

Holme Fell is Wainwright #18 for Finlay.

The summit of Holme Fell, Wetherlam beyond.

The Old Man above the Yewdale fells – I must say the Coniston area seems to have the best of the weather today.

The Langdale Pikes looking broody from the northern end of Holme Fell summit rib.

Wetherlam appears up close and personal from here and what a great view of Steel Edge.

Back down at the (frozen) disused reservoir. From here I took the track above Hodge Close quarry and across Oxen Fell.

The view across the fields from High Oxen Fell to Pike o’ Blisco and Bowfell, Lingmoor Fell central. From High Oxen Fell I crossed the A593 and flooded the track southwards to Iron Keld plantation before diverting across to Black Fell.

This is a more distant but similar view to the one above and shows the grandeur of the relatively close scenery, Bowfell looks magnificent from here with Rossett Gill picked out in the snow to the right.

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell.

The view to Wansfell across Windermere, Ambleside below.

Windermere from Black Fell.

The south-east cairn on Black Fell.

The Coniston fells from Arnside Plantation heading for Iron Keld.

A sunny spell on the Langdale Pikes.

On the high level path at (frozen) Tarn Hows.

Tarn Hows.

On the way around Tarn Hows, I had a forlorn hope that the coffee shop would be open in the car park – alas the lack of people anywhere around Tarn Hows and the state of the icy road stopping anyone driving up that way told me it would be a negative. The most dangerous part of the walk were the paths around the Tarns which were solid ice – I did have more than one embarrassing ‘fall on backside’ moments around there!

Tom Ghyll falls.

Does anyone still read these? I know I have been off line for a good while but have picked up the fell walking cudgel recently with renewed vigour, especially now with Finlay in tow. Should I continue with the site or let it lapse into a comatose state once more?