Start point: Hawes End (NY 247 212)
Hawes End – Skelgill Bank – Catbells – Maiden Moor – High Spy – Dale Head – Hindscarth – High Crags – Red Knott – Scope End – Little Town – Skelgill – Hawes End
Distance: 10 miles Total Ascent: 1066 metres Time Taken: 5 hours
Weather: Cold, clear at first but later in mist. 5°C
I could not believe the difference between the south Lakes and the north today. Travelling over Dunmail Raise is was as if I was transported from the dull and dreary south to the bright and frosty north on a different day. The day promised much when I set off for Catbells from Hause End but a lot of the high fells ended up being covered in cloud after the sun rose. The views from Catbells, though, made getting out of bed that bit earlier today well worth it.
Dale Head Horseshoe route map.
The sunrise at the start of the walk from Hawes End. Derwent Water is covered in mist and the rising sun looks great on a cloud topped Skiddaw.
Looking west towards Causey Pike over Newlands all is cold and frosty.
Mist on Derwent Water and over Keswick.
Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell across the water.
Climbing higher towards Catbells with the sun still on Skiddaw.
The mist is already starting to lift and showing some cloud reflections. Blencathra is cloud covered in the left distance.
What a view.
The rising sun on Grisedale Pike.
Catbells and Skelgill Bank.
A panoramic view from Skelgill Bank.
The view to Newlands Hause with Robinson left and Ard Crags right.
Swinside and Bassenthwaite Lake.
Skiddaw is clearing of cloud now.
Blencathra under cloud.
A cold and frosty climb towards Catbells.
Catbells ahead.
The frozen summit of Catbells looking towards Bassenthwaite Lake.
Casper finds it hair raising this morning.
Heading for Maiden Moor across Hause Gate. Look at the cloud starting to drift across Maiden Moor - by the time I reached it, it came across with a (cold) vengeance.
Derwent Water reflections with Clough Head peeping above the cloud beyond.
A final glimmer of sunshine looking back to Catbells across Hause Gate.
Catbells and Derwent Water from the climb.
Here comes the freezing waves of cloud push by a really cold and biting wind.
Hindscarth and Robinson from the summit of Maiden Moor. This view makes it look better than it really was as the cloud only parted briefly.
High Spy.
Descending to Dalehead Tarn (which can be seen on the left) with Dale Head briefly appearing from the cloud.
On the frozen Dale Head summit.
Casper on Dale Head.
Great Gable and Pillar across Ennerdale.
During the descent of Hindscarth Edge the views opened up again.
Buttermere and the High Stile ridge.
The path to Hindscarth can clearly be seen arcing around to the right with Robinson directly ahead.
High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike across Buttermere.
Green and Great Gable.
Looking back to Dale Head from the path to Hindscarth.
High Stile from Hindscarth.
Monochrome view from Hindscarth.
The descent from Hindscarth to Scope End.
Hindscarth from Scope End. At least it was a bit warmer by the time I got to here!
Bath time for Casper in Newlands Beck.