The Dodds

Walked on 23/06/2015

Start Point: Dockray (NY 393 215)

Dockray – High Row – Randerside – Great Dodd – Watson’s Dodd – Stybarrow Dodd – White Stones on Green Side – Hart Side – Birkett Fell – Brown Hills – Swineside Knott – Watermillock Common – Common Fell – Dockray

Distance: 10.3 miles Total Ascent: 732 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 10:00

Weather: Warm and hazy. 19°C

It’s not so long ago that I did this walk (back in January) but I wanted to have another walk around to check notes as this will be a featured walk soon in Trail magazine. It was really quite warm today, shorts and t-shirt all the way.

The Dodds Route Map

On the 11th June, there was a celeb visit to Love the Lakes, Keswick. Chemmy Alcott, Olympic skier, is the brand ambassador for The Lakes Distillery and was on a promotional visit to our shop. She seemed to get on well with Dougal and Fletcher!

Sing Fletcher. sing!

Promo shot - Chemmy, Louise and Katie (Lakes Distillery). If you like a drop of gin this is highly recommended!

Later that day at Bassenthwaite it was absolutely boiling so the boys were keen to get in for a dip. On with the walk...

Climbing the road out of Dockray.

Looking across to today's target.

Sheep spotting.

Great Dodd from Randerside.

A hazy view to Keswick from Great Dodd summit.

Heading for Watson's Dodd to the right then Stybarrow Dodd to the left.

Looking back to Great Dodd from Watson's Dodd.

Who's the King of the Castle on Watson's Dodd summit?

Watson's and Great from the climb to Stybarrow (Dodd!)

On Stybarrow Dodd, Catstycam and Helvellyn in the distance.

On Hart Side looking to White Stones on the left and Stybarrow Dodd to the right.

The proud cairn on Birkett Fell looking to Ullswater.

A panoramic view of Ullswater from Brown Hills.

When push comes to shove!

Looking to Patterdale and the head of Ullswater.

The Dodds

Walked on 09/01/2015

Start Point: Dockray (NY 393 215)

Distance: 10.7 miles Total Ascent: 775 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 40 minutes Start Time: 09:45

Weather: Windy with sunny spells, very cold on the tops, 4°C

Today was supposedly the calm before the storm, but I don’t think the weather necessarily knew that as once on the tops, the wind was howling and I ended up with more layers on than an onion. A very enjoyable round this was and it has been a year or two since I have been that way so it was good to get up there again. There wasn’t a single soul to be seen today apart from the lady farmer at High Row who took a shine to Fletcher – I think she had designs on him becoming a working dog up there – it was a good job he did’t gear otherwise I think he would have put his application form in!

The promise of a decent day looking back over Dockray from the climb to High Row.

Hole in the sky - the clouds were fairly whizzing along which told the tale of how things would be on the tops.

You go that a-way and I'll go this a-way! Great Dodd ahead.

The view from Randerside across Clough Head to Blencathra.

A diusting of snow now looking back from the climb to Great Dodd.

Once on the top of Great Dodd, the wind was fierce and piercing. I ended up with two pairs of gloves on, two hats and two insulated jackets and my fingers were too numb to take photos at one point.

Heading for Watson's Dodd.

The Vale of Keswick from Watson's Dodd.

Great Dodd from Watson's Dodd.

Clouds skitting over the tops across Thirlmere.

Heading for Stybarrow Dodd.

Watson's Dodd and Great Dodd from the climb to Stybarrow Dodd.

Frozen on Stybarrow Dodd (let it go, let it go...)

Mono shot looking across to Raise and Helvellyn.

You want some?

Raise from the path to White Stones.

Stybarrow Dodd.

Hart Side ahead.

The summit of Hart Side.

Ullswater from Birkett Fell.

The plaque in the summit cairn - the only summit I can recall that actually has a name plaque on it!

Dougal kept wanting to climb this wall for some reason - but we aren't going that way Dougal!

On Brown Hills.

A great view across Ullswater to Place Fell.

The head of Ullswater.

Dougal watching the world go by.

Common Fell looking to Little Mell Fell.

Constantly shifting sky.

Hallin Fell across Ullswater.

Before I knew it, the sun was setting and the sky taking on a pinkish tinge.

White Stones on Green Side

Height: 795 metres / 2608 feet Grid reference: NY 35365 18758

Stybarrow Dodd from White Stones

Hart Crag on the left and White Stones on the right from the climb to Stybarrow Dodd

Raise

Walked on 22/03/2011

Start point: Glenridding (NY 382 169)

Glenridding – Glenridding Dodd – Heron Pike (Glenridding) – Sheffield Pike – Nick Head – Glencoyne Head – Hart Side – White Stones on Green Side – Stybarrow Dodd – Sticks Pass – Raise – White Side – East Ridge – Keppel Cove – Greenside Road – Glenridding

Distance: 9.6 miles Total Ascent: 1082 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 07:15

Weather: Long sunny spells. 14°C

The fells to the east seemed to enjoy the best of the weather today and it was lovely and sunny for most of today’s walk to some of the eastern fells I haven’t visited for a while. It was like a summers day walking back along Glenridding, never mind spring and I think I caught the sun today as well. Time to ditch the micro spikes and get out the sun cream and shorts I reckon!

Raise route map.

Sunshine at the foot of The Rake.

Climbing The Rake to Glenridding Dodd.

Raise at the head of Glenridding.

Looking across to Birkhouse Moor.

Birks and St. Sunday across Gillside.

The summit of Glenridding Dodd.

Ullswater from the eastern cairn.

It's lovely and clear in Glenridding.

Boundary Stone on Heron Pike. 'M' for Marshall estate of Patterdale with 'H' on the other side for Howard estate of Greystoke.

First sight of Helvellyn with snow cornice still evident and Catstycam.

Catstycam reflected.

It was beautiful to the east but there was a cold wind once up onto the Sheffield Pike ridge.

It looks like Ullswater carries on from the ridge here,.

A closer view of Ullswater, Glencoyne below.

Inscribed stone on the summit.

The summit of Sheffield Pike.

Dougal and Casper enjoying the sunshine on the summit.

...and lying by 'the pool'!

Yet another boundary marker, 'M 1912', heading for Glencoyne Head.

Casper's going the wrong way looking to Raise across the old lead mines.

In a hurry to get across to Hart Side.

Stybarrow Dodd complete with stubborn snow patches from Hart Side.

Looking back to the train from Hart Side on the way to White Stones.

Stybarrow Dodd from White Stones and it seems to be a lot cloudier over to the west, in fact I would say the Helvellyn ridge was the dividing line between sunshine and cloud today.

Hart Crag on the left and White Stones on the right from the climb to Stybarrow Dodd.

Great Dodd from Stybarrow Dodd.

Climbing to Raise looking back across Sticks Pass to Stybarrow Dodd.

The summit of Raise.

Looking west from Raise, Great Gable is central.

An odd photo but Skiddaw looked like a volcano with a giant sheet of cloud seemingly emanating from its summit.

All was dull on White Side.

I descended by this steep cut on the east side of White Side. I did wonder if anyone had ever been down here before but it certainly was a quick way down.

White Side from Keppel Cove.

Breached in 1931 and never repaired - the dam in Keppel Cove.

Sheffield Pike from the sunny walk back along Glenridding. In the shelter of the valley it was boiling hot, like summer!

Swart Beck and the disused mine workings.

Raise

Walked on 13/12/2007

Start point: Glenridding car park (NY 385 169)

Glenridding – Glenridding Dodd – Heron Pike (Glenridding) – Sheffield Pike – Nick Head – White Stones on Green Side – Stybarrow Dodd –Sticks Pass – Raise – White Side – Greenside Road – Glenridding

Distance: 8.8 miles Total Ascent: 1037 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 35 minutes

Weather: Clear above clouds, very cold wind. 4oC.

I wasn’t expecting much from today’s walk as it was dull in Glenridding and the high fells looked to be under cloud for the day. I knew it would be cold though as there was a fair old wind whistling around Glenridding village. It was cold enough on Fairfield on Tuesday but this was a lot colder – almost like winter!

Raise at the head of Glenridding from the climb to Glenridding Dodd.

Birkhouse Moor.

Sunrays over Glenridding.

It's all a bit dull down here - Ullswater from Glenridding Dodd.

It looks a bit brighter over Sheffield Pike though.

A frozen pool on the way to Sheffield Pike up to the right with White Stones and Stybarrow Dodd to the left. The wind was really cold and biting here.

The weather was changing constantly, almost by the minute, with the strong wind blowing mist across the fells alternating with bright sunshine. Helvellyn and Catstycam remained under a thick blanket of cloud throughout the walk.

Watermillock Common and Great Mell Fell from the summit of Sheffield Pike. 'H' is the boundary marker for the Howard Estate of Greystoke, the other side is marked with 'M' for the Marshall Estate of Patterdale.

Raise, in and out of the swirling mist.

White Stones and Stybarrow Dodd was getting the same treatment.

A clear spell on the climb to White Stones.

White Stones.

Stybarrow Dodd from White Stones.

Heading for Stybarrow Dodd.

Looking back to White Stones and Hart Side.

Into the freezing mist on the summit of Stybarrow Dodd.

Two minutes after we left the summit, it cleared!

Dramatic clouds over Glenridding.

Looking across Sticks Pass to Raise, now submerged under cloud cover.

Cloud clear of the summit of Stybarrow Dodd again, Stanahgill Head to the left remains filled with it.

A Brocken spectre on Stybarrow Dodd.

On the descent to Sticks Pass looking to Sheffield Pike.

That's it, I could stand it no more. Time for the full polar expedition gear to come out - it really was that cold! To the left is Great Gable and Kirk Fell, Pillar covered in cloud and round to the north-western fells across a sea of cloud from Sticks Pass.

Low sun and biting cold on the climb to Raise.

The south-western cairn on Raise from the summit.

Casper braves the oh-so-cold wind.

Skiddaw from Raise, Blencathra covered by cloud to the right.

..and closer up.

Stybarrow Dodd, Watson's Dodd and Great Dodd over Sticks Pass.

...and closer up.

The view to the west from Raise.

The frozen summit of Raise.

Closer up to the west.

White Side from the descent from Raise. That big cloud above was one of many which came crashing over us like waves descending from Helvellyn and engulfing White Side and Raise.

Lovely clear views across the clouds - when it clears from these tops.

The cloud clears briefly, and I mean very briefly from the frozen summit of White Side, here looking back to Raise and the Dodds.

Back into Glenridding valley it was like being in a different world. A lot calmer and a lot duller for the trek back to Glenridding. Looking back to Raise it appeared as if the whole fell was under cloud cover. Who could have guessed the secret weather that lay above?

The Dodds

Walked on 29/09/2006

Start point: Dockray, adjacent to the bridge. (NY 393 215)

Dockray – Bracken How (492) – Round How (493) – Common Fell – Watermillock Common –Swineside Knott – Brown Hills – Birkett Fell – Hart Side – White Stones on Green Side – Stybarrow Dodd – Watson’s Dodd – Great Dodd – Little Dodd (St John’s Common) (494) – Calfhow Pike (495) –Clough Head (496) – Dockray

Distance: 13.4 miles Total Ascent: 1156 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Overcast, rain later. 14oC.

Another grey day today with just the odd glimmer of sunshine and heavy rain at the end. This is quite a long circuit but relatively easy going across boggy grass. I visited a couple of small tops at the beginning of the walk that I had never been to before which offered great views over Ullswater with little effort. It was very quiet up there though, and we never saw a single soul all day.

About the only blue sky of the day over Great Mell Fell, from Bracken How.

Common Fell from Round How. The bracken is turning brown now.

Sunrays over Ullswater looking to Place Fell.

Great Dodd from Common Fell.

Casper having a rest on Swineside Knott.

Looking to the head of Ullswater.

Brown Hills from Watermillock Common.

Ullswater.

Angus and Casper above Ullswater.

Looking over to Place Fell.

Sheffield Pike.

Catstycam appears from the mist.

You can't miss Birkett Fell with its name plaque set in the cairn. Named after Baron Birkett, KC MP, an early advocate of National Parks and a fierce opposer to Manchester Corporation's attempts to take water from Ullswater. He also went to the same school as me (though he wasn't in my class, I hasten to add!).

Angus on Hart Side, Stybarrow Dodd behind.

Looking down Stanah Gill on Stybarrow Dodd to Thirlmere.

Great Dodd from Stybarrow Dodd.

High Rigg and St John's in the Vale from Watson's Dodd. Beyond is Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake, Dodd and Skiddaw (in mist).

Thirlmere from Watson's Dodd.

The wind was howling across Watson's Dodd.

A retrospective view from Great Dodd - in the distance is the pointed Catstycam with Helvellyn in cloud. Centre left is Stybarrow Dodd with Watson's Dodd to the right.

Skiddaw from Little Dodd. Below is the next objective, the spur of Calfhow Pike.

Angus has spotted the rain coming on our final summit, Clough Head - the end of the Helvellyn massif.

Blencathra from Clough Head. Now it was time to put on the jacket and put the camera away for a very damp descent to the Old Coach Road and a wet trudge back to Dockray.

The Dodds

Walked on 08/07/2004

Start point: New Road, Dockray (NY 380 218)

New Road, Dockray – Low How (88) – High Brow (89) – Randerside (90) – Great Dodd (91) – Watson’s Dodd (92) – Stybarrow Dodd (93) – White Stones on Green Side (94) – Hart Side (95) – Birkett Fell (96) – Brown Hills (97) – Swineside Knott (98) – Common Fell (99) – New Road, Dockray

Weather: Rain and mist. Strong winds on The Dodds

Today’s walk was The Dodds from the end of the Old Coach Road joining Dockray and St. John’s in The Vale. The day started off dull and grew much worse as height was gained.

Entrance to Matterdale Common is through a gate and onto the coach road, then it’s an immediate left to ascend the grassy shoulder to Low How.

The start of the walk and the entrance to Matterdale Common.

Great Mell Fell and Little Mell Fell from the top of Low How. From Low How, there is a descent into a dip and then a climb alongside the wall, past an old mine level to the broad, grassy top of High Brow.

Stybarrow Dodd, Great Dodd and Randerside from the summit of High Brow. Immediately after this picture was taken, the heavens opened and the cloud set in on the tops for the day. From here it was a slight descent and then a climb up to Randerside after joining the main path. The main path continues, steepening until the summit of Great Dodd is reached.

Randerside summit cairn..

and 'dog not impressed by the wind and rain' on Great Dodd. From Great Dodd summit, I took the path south east to the wind shelter; from here it's an easy traverse to Watson's Dodd. A simple climb follows to reach the summit of Stybarrow Dodd.

Watson's Dodd

and Stybarrow Dodd. It was an easy descent west which took me to a grassy col, from there an ascent to the bouldery top of White Stones on Green Side.

White Stones

and Hart Side, complete with ditch mentioned in detail by AW. Another rise to the top of Hart Side, still in the mist. From Hart Side it was another grassy traverse to Birkett Fell, named after Lord Birkett who did much to preserve the environment of Ullswater from the demands of the Water Authority.

Birkett Fell complete with name plaque. The descent from Birkett Fell followed the line of a recently renovated wall. Through the clearing mist I caught sight of Ullswater. Over the new stile and onward to Brown Hills, a grassy, indistinct top.

A magnificent view of Ullswater from Brown Hills.

The southern end of Ullswater from Swineside Knott looking to Hartsop Dodd and Thornthwaite Crag. From Brown Hills, it's another grassy traverse to Swineside Knott and then across the boggy expanse of Watermillock Common to ascend Common Fell.

Blencathra, Bannerdale Crags and Souther Fell from Common Fell summit. Following Blake Sike from the summit of Common Fell, head over the Aira Beck and onto the tarmac at Crookwath which leads directly back to the starting point at The Old Coach Road end.

Aira Beck ..

and the signposted way at the foot of Common Fell.