Start point: Darling How (NY 181 255)
Darling How – Brown How on Whinlatter – Whinlatter Top – Tarbarrel Moss – Ullister Hill – Lord’s Seat – Barf – Broom Fell – Graystones – Spout Force – Darling How
Distance: 8.6 miles Total Ascent: 786 metres Time Taken: 5 hours Start Time: 07:10
Weather: Mist at first, improving to sunny spells. 10C.
The rain was absolutely bouncing before dawn this morning and I was wondering whether it was indeed a good idea to venture out in such conditions. As it was the rain eased and stopped before I met up with Andy Lang and Gary Jones for a walk around the Whinlatter fells and the weather was ever improving with particularly good views from Barf today. There was plenty of boggy ground to be traversed today though after the recent wet weather.
Whinlatter route map.
A murky start climbing through the old tree stumps of Aiken Plantation, Broom Fell in cloud to the left and distant Lord's Seat. We had an 'interesting' climb through the upper plantation slopes!
As we climbed to Whinlatter, the mist engulfed us for a while, here parting briefly to give a glimpse of Lorton Vale.
Brown How, the summit of Whinlatter, with the sun trying to burn through the cloud.
On Whinlatter Top.
Two photographers snapping Grisedale Pike.
Interesting skies and it's all looking quite promising.
The sun shone through whilst we crossed Tarbarrel Moss looking back along the fence to Grisedale Pike.
Whinlatter from Tarbarrel Moss.
The day is ever improving on Ullister Hill looking through to Embleton.
Lord's Seat, the next objective.
Barf and Skiddaw from Lord's Seat.
Lord's Seat from Barf.
Bassenthwaite Lake.
The Vale of Keswick and Derwent Water.
The summit of Barf looking back to Lord's Seat.
Casper and Dougal in the sunshine.
Five Amigos - Andy, me, Gary, Dougal and Casper.
The way back.
Skiddaw.
A close up on Dodd and Skiddaw.
The distant cairn visible on Broom Fell.
Skiddaw from Broom Fell.
Heading for Broom Fell.
The view back to Lord's Seat.
Mono Broom Fell.
Looking to Skiddaw.
Descending to Widow Hause.
On the Birkett summit of Graystones (the highest point).
Fingers of light on Wainwright's Graystones summit.
The steeper than steep descent from Graystones.
Sunshine through the clouds.
Spout Force. Much later, heading into Troutbeck...
Beautiful Autumn colours.