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?
Nige Bamford says
Well, I, for one, am pleased to see these reports. It’s rare I get to the southern fells these days and I miss them (a lot). Most of my day forays from Scotland are to the north side so, yeah, keep ’em coming.
Sean McMahon says
Thank you Nige, glad to hear you enjoy looking at the walks.
Pete Juniper says
Hi Sean – I’m certainly still following your walks (somewhat enviously from faraway Gloucestershire). It’s been fascinating to see your selection of introductory Wainwrights for Finlay, as they mirror the ones I have been doing over the past few (once a year) weekend trips as befits my increasing age and fitness levels…. Yes, I even navigated my son and daughter-in-law up Sallows and Sour Howes a few years ago and set the rest of the family a “Guess the Fell’ photo quiz from the top….which they failed to get! Meanwhile, I can recommend a circuit of the fells north of Whinlatter Pass as it crosses off a few Wainwrights without too much effort (providing you start from the top of the pass like we did.
I’m afraid I’m not on Facebook or X, so am reliant on the website for enjoyment of your excellent photos and walk descriptions.
Many thanks and all the best for 2026 and beyond.
Pete
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Pete, certainly a Whinlatter round is certainly on the list. I think one thing that has changed over the last few years (since COVID?) is now I have to take into account how busy areas will be at holiday times etc, something that never used to be a factor! Anyway, glad you are enjoying the site after all these years, there will be at least another 200 fells coming…Sean
Stephen Ellaby says
Still read these walks that you do and have done in the past when you was in “full flow” sort of speaking. Keep them coming
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Stephen, great to hear you are still looking and I am committed to getting Finlay around all the fells now – with the added advantage of prior knowledge I am looking forward to visiting fells I’ve not been to for years! Sean
Angela Ckarke says
I’ve never stopped following it, please keep going I missed you when you weren’t posting
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Angela, I appreciate that 🙂 Sean
Roger Todd says
Please don’t stop! I can no longer walk the fells having done so for over 50 years but your pictures & Finlay keep my memories alive. I’m so grateful to you for sharing your walks, Thank you.
Sean McMahon says
Hi Roger, thanks and great to hear my walks can help you keep your memories alive! There will be a good few more to come, that’s for sure. Sean
Mike Ventress says
Hi Sean. I still follow your walks and enjoy your photos. Age has taken its toll on me now and cannot get on the fells much now. I have done the 214 three times and still visit from time to time. Regards Mike
Sean McMahon says
Thanks for your support Mike, I really appreciate it. Sean
Scott Myers says
Hi Sean, I read every time you post a walk a look forward to it from down here in the West Midlands, wishing I was closer. Your photos are really good and your words just add to the atmosphere. So lovely seeing Finley earning his fell walking stripes. Keep going I say and thank you!
Sean McMahon says
Hi Scott, thanks for your support and kind comments 🙂 Best Wishes, Sean
O. says
I think I discovered stridingedge.net in 2007, when I was working in England (now back in France). Even though I don’t usually comment, I still drop by the site from time to time with great pleasure. The nice photos remind me of the walks I used to take around the area back then… Keep it up!
Sean McMahon says
Thanks, you found me 18 years ago! Glad you did and continue to visit. Best Wishes, Sean
David Bennett says
Hi Sean
Great to see you are back loving the hills. Your walks and photography inspire me and give me great ideas for routes
Sean McMahon says
Thanks David, happy to provide inspiration and thankful for your support. Best Wishes, Sean
Ned Edwards says
Hi Sean,
Please keep them coming. I’m no longer a high fell man (or low fell man for that matter)! So now I enjoy valley walks and countless memories of being up high. Your photos are amazing.
Sean McMahon says
Hi Ned, thanks so much for saying that, I appreciate it. Best Wishes, Sean
Martin Chaplin says
Hi Sean, I don’t get to the fells much these days. I live too far away (Holland). In my youth, before I moved away I was a regular visitor to the Lake District, climbing the crags and walking the fells. My outings to the mountains these days are limited to just once a year and mostly on the continent, although this year we will be in Ireland (Killarney). Your walks and the photo diary bring back many happy memories of times past and I really appreciate all the effort you put into this. I check regularly for updates and sincerely hope you will continue to publish the diary.
Many thanks and may you continue to enjoy the fells for many years to come.
Kind regards, Martin
Sean McMahon says
Hi Martin, thanks for your kind message, I am looking forward to visiting all the fells again with young Finlay. Great that the photos bring back memories for you, I am getting a bit of that nostalgia when looking back and planning walks for the future. BestWishes, Sean
David Hall says
Yes Sean, I still read your adventures, it makes my day when there is a new one. Long may you continue, it’s great to see Finlay’s progress. Your photography and the commentary notes are brilliant. Dave.
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Dave, happy to make your day sometimes and thanks for your kind comments. Best Wishes, Sean
John & Brenda says
Hi Sean,
Lovely to have you back again. We guessed that you were getting another dog when you mentioned receiving a ‘phone call last year, although you didn’t say what the call was about, and were delighted when you announced Finlay’s arrival. Its great to see him begin his fell-walking career with you and we look forward to seeing more of him, especially on the higher fells as he gets stronger. Hope you manage to keep up with him! As you know, we live over in the east of the county in the Eden Valley so we don’t get very far west in winter, thanks to the shorter daylight hours, so all your walks & photos in that neck of the woods are most enjoyable. We’ve been Striding Edge fans since Angus accompanied you, and when Connie was a nipper, so naturally we’re pleased to see you back. We hope that you keep a good grip on your ‘fell walking cudgel’ and your ‘renewed vigour’ and that you don’t go ‘comatose’ on us again. Please carry on with the walks and keep the site going.
With our best wishes to you and your family,
John & Brenda
Sean McMahon says
Hi John & Brenda, great to hear from you and to see you have been prolific in your fell walking whilst I have been ‘away’. It is brilliant to have a new fell walking friend and I look forward to getting around all the fells with him 🙂 Thanks for your long term support, it is appreciated and I hope to catch up with you soon. Best Wishes, Sean
ian Ally says
Nice to see as always, and I’m just amazed how quick you’re getting these walks up – must one all that free time you have now 😉
Finlay looks a natural
Sean McMahon says
No more free time really Ian, just more enthusiasm I suppose – can’t wait to get back on some of the fells I haven’t been up for years and Finlay is the perfect partner 🙂
Matt says
Having been a visitor to this site for 20 years I certainly still check back in occasionaly and appreciate your excellent photos – do what makes you happy, of course, but I’d certainly be a little happier myself if that included walking and taking pictures for the rest of us!
Sean McMahon says
Thanks Matt, you are a ‘lifer’! Happy to make you happy as well. Thanks, Sean
Roland says
I’ve been following since 2009. Still my favourite Lakes photo blog ✔️ Thanks for all the inspiration.
Sean McMahon says
Thanks for the kind message Roland, glad to hear it is your favourite and that it provides some inspiration. Thanks, Sean
Colin Huggett says
Hi Sean. Please keep these reports going. Its my home page on my web drowser so always looking at it. I’m from Kent and get to the lakes once a year and have completed the Wainwrights so love the reports saying to myself “I’ve done that……..I’ve stood there and seen the same view! ” Keep up the superb reports and photos.
Sean McMahon says
Thanks for the message Colin, I am looking forward to getting round all the Wainwrights once more and perhaps by some routes I’ve not done before where possible. I’m also looking forward to getting some longer walks in when Finlay is a bit older. Thanks, Sean
JOHN SOMERFIELD says
Hi Sean,
I’ve been following your site since I moved to France in 2008 and stopped being able to get up to Lakes much more than once a year. Love the photos and the walk descriptions, please carry on!
With Thanks
John
Sean McMahon says
Hi John, thanks for your message – I’m a bit jealous of you living in France! Hopefully I will be carrying on walking with the Finmeister so keep checking in 🙂 Thanks, Sean