The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 04/03/2008

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Pavey Ark – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Pike O’Stickle – Loft Crag – Thorn Crag – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 7 miles Total Ascent: 822 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Sunny and bright, lots of snow. 7ºC.

What a fantastic day today, the best of the winter by far I think. I knew it was going to be good when I went through Coniston and the snow was down to a low level and the sky was clear. We were nice and early, climbing alongside Stickle Ghyll to meet the sunrise half way up which gave a lovely red hue on the snow. When I reached the dam on Stickle Tarn, I thought I must have died and gone to heaven – this is how winters should be!

Stickle Ghyll.

Climbing alongside Stickle Ghyll into the fabulous sunrise.

Pike Howe across Stickle Ghyll.

Harrison Stickle and Stickle Ghyll.

Lingmoor Fell.

There was a strong, icy wind at Stickle Tarn.

Harrison Stickle from the dam on Stickle Tarn.

Pavey Ark.

Harrison Stickle, Stickle Tarn and Bright Beck.

The Coniston fells across Stickle Tarn.

Casper with snowy nose.

Looking north to Sergeant Man from the climb to Pavey Ark.

The summit of Pavey Ark.

The Helvellyn range from the summit.

Casper in the sunshine which belies the cold wind up here.

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

High Raise from the summit wall.

Looking back to Thunacar Knott from the path to Sergeant Man - only two sets of footprints up here this morning.

Icicles on Sergeant Man with a view to distant Windermere.

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and Esk Pike from Sergeant Man.

Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle with the Coniston fells beyond.

Helvellyn and Fairfield to the east.

Bowfell from a cold looking summit.

The mist was swirling on and off the summit of High Raise.

Looking northwards to Skiddaw it looks as though there is less snow up that way.

The northern and coldest side of High Raise.

Great End and the Scafells.

Bowfell.

Esk Pike and the Scafells.

Great Gable looks like it is on fire with the great plume of cloud emanating from the top.

Cold wind shelter on Thunacar Knott.

Bowfell from the summit of Thunacar Knott.

Pike o' Stickle and the Crinkle Crags.

Heading for Pike o' Stickle.

Monochrome.

Looking across Mickleden to Bowfell, Rossett Gill to the right.

Crinkle Crags across The Band.

Lingmoor Fell and the Coniston fells across Mickleden and Oxendale.

Looking to Loft Crag and Windermere from the descent of Pike o' Stickle. Harrison Stickle is on the left.

Bowfell and Pike o' Stickle from Loft Crag.

Harrison Stickle.

Crossing Dungeon Ghyll.

Pike o' Blisco with Coniston beyond from the descent to Great Langdale.

Loft Crag and Gimmer Crag.

Almost back to valley level.

The Langdale Pikes from Chapel Stile.

Torver Common

Walked on 29/02/2008

Start point: Delicars on the Torver road (SD 287 927)

Delicars – Torver Beck – Anne Riggs – Mill Bridge – Beckstones – Delicars

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 130 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Wind and heavy rain. 7°.

It was wet and wild this morning and there was no way I was going up on any fells! If it wasn’t for the ‘gruesome twosome’ needing a walk, I think I would have turned over and had another 40 winks. Instead, we had an exploration of Torver Common and there are some really fantastic views from here (in drier weather anyway) not 5 minutes from the road. I thought it best not to use my main camera given the extreme conditions, so I used a compact I have which at least allows some manual control. I have put some of the settings used on for those interested in photography as I often get asked about them.

Casper waits patiently on the footbridge crossing Torver Beck.

Torver Beck (f8, 1/5 sec).

Torver Low Common.

The disused reservoir on Torver Low Common. Who put those telegraph poles there?

Angus and Casper above the reservoir. That looks like an interesting cairn on the prominence to the right named Anne Riggs on the map (f3.5, 1/25 sec).

The reservoir.

Heading for Anne Riggs (f7.1, 1/20 sec).

The cairn on Anne Riggs looking to Beckstones and the Land Rover garage. This cairn is prominent from the road through the buildings and I have looked at it often but never visited it before. Above the buildings is Kelly Hall Tarn.

Me and Yew?

Mill Bridge in the pouring rain.

Kelly Hall Tarn.

The outflow (f7.1, 1/4 sec).

A banzai photo into the gale force wind and rain, but what a view of Coniston Water from here (point and hope!).

Mellbreak

Walked on 25/02/2008

Start point: Loweswater (NY 147 214)

Loweswater – North Top of Mellbreak – South Top of Mellbreak – Scale Knott – High Ling Crag – Iron Stone – Loweswater

Distance: 5.3 miles Total Ascent: 530 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Overcast turning to strong winds and showers. 6°C.

The forecast was for worsening weather throughout the day and the rain clouds were always threatening during today’s walk with friends
Roger and Ann Hiley and their dogs Harry and Bethan up to their local fell, Mellbreak. Once at the top of the steep section and onto the summit ridge, the wind really picked up making the going tough at times and the rain well and truly arrived by the time we descended to the lovely lakeside path back to Loweswater. Thanks to Roger and Ann for a great walk today.

Mellbreak across Loweswater.

Mellbreak looks like a steep climb from this angle on the path from the village.

Roger, Ann and dogs on the start of the climb.

The steep scree path.

Loweswater from the climb.

Loweswater and Loweswater Fell.

Our house is down there somewhere.

Low Fell towering above Loweswater.

Whiteside and Grasmoor across the northern end of Crummock Water.

"A lovely peep around the corner" said Wainwright, and who would argue with that? Rannerdale Knotts is central with Robinson behind and Fleetwith Pike to the right at the end of Buttermere.

Grasmoor across Crummock Water.

Rannerdale Knotts from further up the climb. The wind is really picking up now, just look at the water moving on Crummock Water below.

High Stile and Red Pike over Mellbreak's southern top from the summit.

Casper gets muscled out by Harry for a summit shot.

Casper on the summit of Mellbreak.

Robinson from Mellbreak.

Ann, Roger and Harry on the summit.

Whiteside and Grasmoor across Crummock Water.

Rannerdale Knotts and Robinson from the summit ridge.

The Buttermere Valley.

The High Stile ridge just before the heavy rain came.

Three posers on High Ling Crag.

Rannerdale Knotts and Low Ling Crag.

Casper dips his toes in Crummock Water.

This lakeside path is delightful but there was a cold and bleak wind walking along it.

Iron Stone in Crummock Water, Grasmoor across the swell!

Helvellyn

Walked on 20/02/2008

Start point: Wythburn (NY 324 136)

Wythburn – Nethermost Pike – Helvellyn – Wythburn

Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 800 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Overcast and cold. 0°C.

If I wanted to get out for a walk today then it would have to be early so that I could fit everything else I needed to do in. So, earlier than early it was then! It was dark when I set off for Helvellyn from Wythburn, climbing the main section in first light and returning along the same path. I was hopeful for some clear weather at the top, but you never can tell what it will do and you certainly can’t if it is dark when you set off! The weather turned out not to be the best but it was nice to get up and back down again before breakfast.

Early morning Comb Gill. It was -4C when I set off.

Sunrise over Thirlmere.

Daybreak over St. Sunday Crag from Nethermost Pike.

Catstycam and Striding Edge.

Heading for Helvellyn.

Helvellyn village?

The summit of Helvellyn.

Is this Everest or Helvellyn? The 'Prayer Flag' on the summit shows the strength of the wind, very cold it was too.

Casper.

Looking down on frozen Red Tarn.

The sun trying to break through over Striding Edge.

Strange light on Striding Edge.

Lad Crag, Helvellyn.

The sun had a good go at coming through but eventually the freezing cold clouds washed over us, obliterating it.

Thirlmere from the descent.

The frozen path.

Comb Gill.

Wythburn from the descent, Steel Fell left and Wythburn Fells to the right. Windermere reflections at Low Wood on the way home...

The Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 17/02/2008

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Tarn Hill (OF) – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 195 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Sunny and hazy. 4°C.

There was further sunshine and haze today. We had a short walk around a couple of old favourites up above Broughton Mills – Stickle Pike and Tarn Hill. It felt really warm in the sunshine today, in fact I was in shirt sleeves which I guess is unusual for February – not that I am complaining!

The Dunnerdale Fells over the rolling pastures of Broughton Mills.

Great Stickle and Stickle Pike.

Great Stickle.

It's that eerie, misty light again over Caw from the start of the climb to Stickle Tarn.

A hazy view along the Duddon Valley to Harter Fell and Bowfell.

Stickle Tarn, completely frozen.

Nowhere for Angus and Casper to swim today!

Looking north across Stickle Tarn.

Stickle Pike, the perfect mountain shape.

Great Stickle over another frozen tarn.

Stickle Pike across one of the tarns on Tarn Hill.

Who's a bonny lad? Angus on Tarn Hill.

I think I saw more people up here today than all day yesterday on Coniston.

The Pike and Hesk Fell across the Duddon Valley.

Angus and Casper on the southern summit of Stickle Pike, the main summit cairn to the right.

The Scafells from Stickle Pike's summit.

The moon over Stickle Pike.

The Duddon Valley from the top of Stickle Pike.

Coniston Fells

Walked on 16/02/2008

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Great How – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 6.2 miles Total Ascent: 770 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Sunny, hazy and cool. 0°C.

The conditions were a little strange up on Coniston today, oddly cold – yet warm and clear – yet hazy! I never quite got above the haze layer today but the sun did manage to break through at times. The temperature was below freezing when I set off and when I returned yet in the sunshine it was really warm with the temperature only seemingly plummeting in the breeze at the top.

Early morning light and mist on Wetherlam across The Bell.

Heading for The Old Man on the Walna Scar Road.

All is hazy towards Coniston Water over Torver High Common from Little Arrow Moor.

A hazy view to Brown Pike and Blind Tarn from the climb to The Old Man.

The view from the summit of The Old Man to Levers Water and Wetherlam.

Looking over the edge to Low Water.

The Old Man of Coniston.

Dow Crag from the summit.

Looking back to the misty Old Man summit cairn from the Brim Fell ridge.

Brim Fell ahead.

Casper on the frozen summit of Brim Fell.

Great Carrs, Swirl How and Great How Crags from the descent to Levers Hawse.

The monochrome version gives a distinctly cold feel.

Green Crag and Harter Fell beyond Seathwaite Tarn from Swirl Hawse.

The view from Great How Crags.

The Scafells over Great Carrs from Swirl How - it looks like the tops of them may be clear of the mist.

The descent is down Prison Band to Swirl Hawse with Black Sails and Wetherlam beyond.

The summit of Swirl How.

Grey Friar from Swirl How.

Black Sails from the descent of Prison Band.

Heading for Levers Water.

Great How Crags above Levers Water.

Lovely reflections on Levers Water today.

The section to the right of the rocks is frozen today.

Levers Water dam.

Dropping into Boulder Valley.

The Pudding Stone.

Looking across Coppermines Valley to Wetherlam from some of the ruined mine workings.

There was a strange, almost translucent light over the Coniston fells now with the sun shining through the mist.

Latterbarrow

Walked on 15/02/2008

Start point: Colthouse (SD 360 988)

Latterbarrow (OF) from Colthouse

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 143 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Sunny and cool. 7°C.

Another clear day today and long may it last. We had a short walk up to Wainwright Outlying fell Latterbarrow, the one with the large obelisk on the top overlooking Hawkshead. It was lovely up there today and of course we worked up a fine appetite for (the essential) lunch in Hawkshead!

Connie spots something to photograph at the beginning of the walk. Hmm, I'd better watch out!

The Coniston fells, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from the climb to Latterbarrow.

Someone's been rolling around in the bracken.

The family at the large obelisk marking the summit of Latterbarrow.

Angus enjoying the sunshine.

Connie, Louise and Angus take in the spectacular view over Windermere on the north-eastern side of Latterbarrow. Sour Howes is the fell opposite.

The Langdale Pikes.

Wetherlam.

Bowfell with Scafell Pike to the left.

Red Screes looming above Ambleside

Scandale and Ambleside.

A lovely panorama on the descent.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell over Outgate.

It is a steep descent from Latterbarrow. Angus has gone - can you spot him? Back by popular request, The ConnieCam! The following photos were all taken by Connie, commentary by Connie too!

There is a nice view from this walk.

The column on Latterbarrow is the biggest in the world daddy says.

Mummy and Angus.

Daddy taking photos.

Devoke Water

Walked on 14/02/2008

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Devoke Water – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 140 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm, cool breeze on the tops. 9°C.

Once again it was lovely and sunny in the Lake District and we had a walk around the lovely and tranquil Devoke Water. We walked together to Rough Crag with Casper and I continuing to Water Crag whilst Louise, Connie and Angus made a slower descent to Devoke Water. It really was lovely up there today even with the cold breeze belying the sunny photos. Later, after suitable refreshments, we enjoyed a short drive to Wasdale where the dogs got themselves cleaned up in Wast Water.

Harter Fell on the distant left beyond Birkerthwaite and Green Crag to the right.

Casper caught in full flight on the way to Rough Crag.

The same view as the first photo from higher up.

There is a great view to the head of Eskdale from Birker Moor with the Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags in view.

Flat topped Kirk Fell with Great Gable peeping out from behind Scafell.

Sunlit Devoke Water.

Looking to Harter Fell from the summit of Rough Crag.

A panoramic view from the top.

Water Crag ahead - that's where we are off to next.

The family on Rough Crag - Casper, Angus, Louise and Connie.

Leaving the summit of Rough Crag.

Looking towards Rough Crag from Water Crag.

Close-up on Rough Crag with Harter Fell beyond.

Casper.

A peaceful Devoke Water. The distant pyramid is Caw with the saw-toothed Dunnerdale Fells in view.

Seat How and the old boathouse from the edge of Devoke Water.

A similar view from further along the bank.

Looking back to Water Crag. After drinks and cakes at a tearoom (you can see how our days are spent!), we had a short drive to Wasdale.

The Screes and Wast Water.

Middle Fell.

Wasdale.

Angus enjoyed a swim in Wast Water.

Lingmell, Scafell and Scafell Pike.

The cloud is building on Scafell.

Great Gable bathed in late afternoon sunlight.

The Screes from Nether Wasdale.

Gummer’s How

Walked on 13/02/2008

Start point: Gummer’s How Car Park (SD 390 877)

Gummer’s How Car Park – Gummer’s How (OF) – Gummer’s How Car Park

Distance: 1.2 miles Total Ascent: 150 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm. 12°C.

Today we had a late afternoon walk up to Gummer’s How after visiting Fell Foot park at the foot of Windermere. The views were rather hazy today but with it being so late we witnessed a stunning sunset that lit up the evening sky to the west.

Before we went to Gummer's How we paid a visit to Fell Foot at the southern end of Windermere - for cake and drinks of course!

There is a lovely view of the full length of Windermere from here.

Gummer's How.

The Coniston fells across a mirror finished Windermere.

On the path to Gummer's How, the sun is already starting to set. What's Casper up to?

Louise and Connie share the view on the climb.

Some scrambling is involved on the upper section.

A hazy view from the sun-kissed summit of Gummer's How.

Connie adopts the traditional pose whilst Casper surveys the surroundings.

Windermere from Gummer's How.

Connie, Louise, Angus and Casper on Gummer's How, bathed in golden light.

A fit of giggles from Connie, the boys aren't bothered though!

The setting sun over Lakeside and the southern end of Windermere.

The Fairfield group and Red Screes at the head of Windermere with Claife Heights prominent in the centre.

The sun is burning a lovely yellow-orange now.

The Coniston fells and distant Langdales.

It really is a beautiful evening. Enjoy the setting sun...

Nearly gone!

One final one from the descent. ...and a few photos from Connie's camera - The ConnieCam!

Me striking a pose for mummy.

It was a nice sunset tonight.

I took this photo of Mummy, Daddy, Angus and Casper when I was lying on the floor.

Wow!

Yewbarrow

Walked on 11/02/2008

Start point: Overbeck Bridge (NY 168 068)

Overbeck Bridge – Bell Rib – Great Door – Yewbarrow (South Top) – Yewbarrow (North Top) – Dore Head – Low Tarn – Overbeck – Overbeck Bridge

Distance: 5 miles Total Ascent: 725 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm. 12°C.

The sun and blue sky made a welcome appearance this morning for a lovely warm walk for the time of year. I made an unusual route of return via the quiet but delightful Low Tarn. It was lovely up there today, a really idyllic place – I think I’ll have to return in summer for a swim.

Golden sunshine on Bell Rib at the southern end of Yewbarrow.

It's a steep climb but lovely in the early morning sunshine.

Contrails over Yewbarrow.

Middle Fell and Bowderdale Farm.

Middle Fell and Seatallan from higher up. The eventual route of descent was alongside the far wall down to Overbeck.

The Scafells are still in shade from Great Door.

Looking back to Wast Water and The Screes - Illgill Head and Whin Rigg.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable from the south top and summit of Yewbarrow.

Casper struggles to keep his tongue in.

Red Pike, Pillar and Scoat Fell.

The view along the Yewbarrow summit ridge. Pillar on the left, Kirk Fell on the right with a distant Skiddaw visible in the centre.

Great Gable.

The Skiddaw massif.

Haycock with Low Tarn below. It looked so inviting over there I though I would make my return by it in the sunshine today.

Great Gable with the shadow of the Scafells looming on its lower slopes.

Heading for the north top of Yewbarrow with the bulk of Pillar beyond.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable from the north top of Yewbarrow.

Casper in the sunshine.

Red Pike across Dore head.

Pillar and Mosedale.

The western face of Kirk Fell across Mosedale from the scramble down to Dore Head.

Wasdale Head.

Red Pike reflected in Low Tarn. Low Tarn is one of those seldom visited ones, walked around at a higher level but not usually close to so I thought I would pay it a visit today. It turned out to be a lovely place, very peaceful.

Low Tarn reflections.

Red Pike and Low Tarn.

Red Pike and Low Tarn from Blackbeck Knotts.

A distant Great Gable across a pool on the descent.

Seatallan.

Red Pike and Brimfull Beck, the outflow of Low Tarn.

Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Scafell are out of the shadows at last.

Scafell Pike and Scafell.

The head of Wasdale.

Yewbarrow.

Bowfell

Walked on 06/02/2008

Start point: Cockley Beck (NY 246 017)

Cockley Beck – Moasdale – Lingcove Beck – Three Tarns – Bow Fell – Three Tarns – Shelter Crags – Crinkle Crags – Little Stand – Ulpha Fell – Cockley Beck

Distance: 7.5 miles Total Ascent: 940 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Great winter conditions – snow, blue skies and a cold wind. 5°C.

I wasn’t sure how it would turn out today as it was a bit overcast when I set off for Bowfell from Cockley Beck at the head of the Duddon Valley. It turned out to be a fantastic day in real winter conditions and this is just how I like my walking – the going was rough, rugged and remote and the weather was quite changeable with lots of sunny spells but there was still a strong, icy cold wind. Not to worry though, it is winter after all! The icing on the cake was the climb to Bowfell in fresh snow and under a blue sky – just heaven. Thankfully I managed to get the settings in the new camera right today as well after a bit more messing about. Hopefully they will not need too much tweaking from now on.

An interesting prospect in view - Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, Little Stand towering above the Duddon Valley and the River Duddon.

Ulpha Fell at the start of the walk.

The road to Hardknott Pass - England's steepest road.

Moasdale Beck.

Little Stand from Moasdale. The final route of descent later was along the diagonal scree gully running left to right at the right of the fell.

First sight of the high fells from the rise up from Moasdale, the Scafells covered in cloud. Esk Buttress is directly in line with Casper. I got pelted in a hail shower along here which didn't give me great hope for the rest of the days weather - but you never quite know how it will turn out...

Esk Pike and Bowfell.

A close up of Esk Pike with Yeastyrigg Gill running up to Ore Gap on the right.

Look, some blue sky over Crinkle Crags!

A magnificent panorama - Great End, Esk Pike and Bowfell.

Following Lingcove Beck heading up to the right to Three Tarns below Bowfell.

Casper checks out the way to Bowfell - yep, all the way up there!

One of the Three Tarns, completely frozen and the view to the Scafells obliterated by the low lying cloud.

Suddenly it is all starting to look good on the climb to Bowfell from Three Tarns. It was fantastic here being the first to climb the virgin snow, sometimes up to knee depth and then the sunny spells and blue sky making the day a real joy to be out.

Looking eastwards over the Langdale Pikes and a smattering of snow on the highest fells.

It all looks a bit dark over that way - Bowfell's summit is to the left. Who knows what Casper is up to?!

A snowy Great Slab on Bowfell.

Heading for the summit of Bowfell.

Looking north to Esk Pike and Great End.

A superb view into Great Langdale and to Windermere from the summit of Bowfell.

Crinkle Crags, the way we are heading next from Bowfell. Beyond the Coniston fells remain in cloud.

Looking into Eskdale.

First to the top today Casper!

The Langdale Pikes in another sunny spell.

Lingmoor Fell, Pike o' Blisco and Windermere.

A view into Langstrath, Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag in the centre.

Monochromatic Bowfell Buttress and Cambridge Crag.

A black and white view to the south-east.

A bit breezy at times says Casper.

Descending back to Three Tarns, which can be seen below with Crinkle Crags beyond. Descending this section I met a couple of 'lads' climbing to Bowfell. We had a chat and talked about a few mutual acquaintances, but the thing that struck me was their ages - 75+ if they were a day! I hope I'm still going strong at that age! (Their advice to me? 'Keep out of the wind at your age'! I don't know if that means because I am old or because I am (to them) young).

The Langdales from Shelter Crags.

The summit of the Fifth Crinkle, Gunson Knott.

On the Fourth...

...the third.

Climbing to the Second Crinkle looking at the Third (right) and Fourth (left).

Long Top, the Second and highest of the Crinkle Crags.

The summit of Long Top.

Bowfell from the secondary summit cairn.

The First Crinkle from the top of the 'Bad Step'.

Looking back up to the Bad Step (centre). The climb or descent is to the right of the chock stone.

Fleeting clouds across Little Stand and the Coniston fells from the First Crinkle.

All is frozen on Stonesty Pike.

Wetherlam across a frozen tarn on Little Stand.

Sunburst over the Duddon Valley, Harter Fell to the right.

The Scafells from the steep descent from Little Stand. Still under cloud but it did seem to lift during the descent - here Slight Side on the left is clear now.

Great Carrs and Grey Friar finally get to see the light of day across the Duddon Valley.

Ulpha Fell from Cockley Beck.

High Hartsop Dodd

Walked on 05/02/2008

Start point: Cow Bridge (NY 402 134)

Cow Bridge – Brothers Water – Hartsop Hall – High Hartsop Dodd – Hartsop Hall – Brothers Water – Cow Bridge

Distance: 3.7 miles Total Ascent: 420 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Grey, wind and rain. 5°C.

It was a bit grim this lunchtime when I set off for High Hartsop Dodd, in fact it was bucketing down with rain and there was a really strong wind so I ended up making it and ‘out and back’ walk, or rather an ‘up and down’ walk! It is a very steep climb straight up the front of High Hartsop Dodd and once on the top the wind was really wild and I was completely drenched. Lo and behold if the sky didn’t clear as soon as I made it back to valley level!

Brothers Water looking a bit full with Hartsop Dodd and a snow-topped Caudale Moor behind.

Middle Dodd and High Hartsop Dodd. This is a snatched photo taken in strong wind and heavy rain at Hartsop Hall.

Hartsop Valley from the start of the climb to High Hartsop Dodd.

It's a steep one this - Angus is mootching about and Casper is rolling about by the looks of things.

Angus stops for a breather.

It was wild on the summit of High Hartsop Dodd and we didn't hang around for long here.

Heading back down towards Brothers Water.

Brock Crags towering above Brothers Water.

Dovedale.

Caudale Moor - look how ominous it is over on Kirkstone Pass to the right.

Hartsop with Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes beyond Brothers Water.

High Hartsop Dodd and Dovedale.

The weather is a bit better than it was on the way up now!

Hartsop Dodd.

Hartsop above How.

Back at Brothers Water.

Middle Fell

Walked on 01/02/2008

Greendale (NY 144 056)

Greendale – Middle Fell – Greendale Tarn – Greendale Gill – Greendale

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 525 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 45 minutes

Weather: Cold and strong wind. 4°C.

The weather has been wild in Cumbria over the last couple of days and today was no exception with a very strong wind on the top of Middle Fell today and behind it there is more snow to come. Today was the first time out with the new camera, so there was plenty of messing about with it, although I stuck to the old lens for now until I upgrade that as well.

Wast Water and Wasdale Head.

Looking across Wast Water to The Screes.

Fleeting sunshine on Buckbarrow.

Lingmell and the Scafells across Wasdale.

Casper has a rest on the steep section of the climb to Middle Fell.

Wast Water and The Screes from Middle Fell.

Buckbarrow.

Yewbarrow from the summit of Middle Fell. Beyond, in cloud, are Kirk Fell, Great Gable and The Scafells.

It was a really strong and icy wind up here and the conditions were constantly changing with the clouds fleeting on and off the higher fells across Wasdale.

Red Pike with Low Tarn nestling in the hollow beneath, Kirk Fell and Great Gable are beyond Yewbarrow.

Lingmell, Scafell and Scafell Pike with Brown Tongue and Hollow Stones below.

Yewbarrow.

A close-up on Mickledore between Scafell Pike and Scafell.

Snow topped Kirk Fell and Great Gable emerge from the cloud beyond Yewbarrow.

Scoat Fell in cloud and Red Pike with Low Tarn visible.

All clear to the east now.

The Scafells have emerged from the cloud too.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable.

Casper braves the wind and tries to keep firmly anchored to the ground!

Haycock.

Looking across to Seatallan.

A windblown Greendale Tarn.

On the banks of Greendale Tarn with Haycock peeping over the col.

Falls on Greendale Gill.

Skiddaw

Walked on 28/01/2008

Start point: Peter House Farm (NY 249 323)

Peter House Farm – Dash Farm – White Hause (526) – Little Calva – Great Calva – Skiddaw house – Sale How (527) – Skiddaw – Hare Crag (528) – Whitewater Dash – Peter House Farm

Distance: 11.6 miles Total Ascent: 1100 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Overcast with the odd sunny spell. 9°C

Well, at least it wasn’t raining today! It turned out to be quite a pleasant day, more than a bit breezy but there was some sunshine around but it was great to be back up on the high fells again with a few Birkett humps and bumps taken in for good measure.

Great Cockup in the morning sun with Brockle Crags prominent to the right with its distinctive white stones.

Following the Skiddaw House track to Dash Farm. The first objective today is White Hause, the grassy hump in the middle, to the left of and above Dash Farm.

Burn Tod and White Hause.

Little Calva with Dash Fall to the right.

Bassenthwaite lake from the top of White Hause.

Bakestall and Dead Crags from the same place.

White Hause gets some golden sunshine looking back from the climb to Little Calva.

Great Calva from Little Calva.

Bakestall from Little Calva.

Looking south along the geological fault line from Great Calva with Thirlmere glinting in the sun.

High Pike and Carrock Fell across Knott.

Skiddaw from Great Calva with Sale How to the left of the central cleft and Hare Crag to the right.

Hare Crag, the route of descent from Skiddaw.

Sale How with Skiddaw Little Man beyond - the route of ascent.

Crossing the infant River Caldew.

Little Calva and Great Calva from Skiddaw House.

Blencathra is clear of cloud now from the climb - or should that be slog - to Sale How.

Skiddaw, however, remains under cloud from the top of Sale How.

Blencathra over Sale How, Lonscale Fell to the right just before we enter the cloud layer.

A break in the cloud cover on the climb to Skiddaw summit with the sunrays over Derwent Water and Keswick through the low ceiling of cloud.

Newlands Valley.

It was wild on the top of Skiddaw with a cold, cold wind.

Descending through the clouds again towards Broad End. The wind was fierce here and made taking a photo difficult.

The sun is still out over to the east on Great Calva from Hare Crag.

Great Calva again from the descent.

Binsey from the path above Dash Falls.

The upper section of Dash Falls.

Dead Crags and Binsey along the Dash Valley from the falls.

A final view of Binsey.

Eskdale

Walked on 23/01/2008

Start point: Dalegarth Station, Eskdale (NY 136 312)

Dalegarth Station – Stanley Force – River Esk (South Bank) – Doctor Bridge – River Esk (North Bank) – St. Catherine’s Church – Dalegarth Station

Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 185 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Damp and dull. 10°C

There was more rain and general dreariness today with low lying cloud almost down to valley level again. I opted for a low level walk around Eskdale visiting Stanley Force and a pleasant walk along the banks of the River Esk. It made a nice change to walk around the area I normally drive past to get to the big stuff!

First sight of the River Esk.

The bridge crossing the River Esk that the first photo was taken from.

he path alongside Stanley Gill, climbing to Stanley Force.

Stanley Gill.

I get the message!

Stanley Force, Dalegarth Force or Stanley Gill Force, depending on where you look/what you read!

The noise was absolutely thunderous today, a real spectacle after all the recent rain.

The upper and lower falls on Stanley Force.

Descending alongside Stanley Gill.

Casper waits patiently as we cross the bridge over Stanley Gill to follow the south bank of the River Esk.

No chance of getting across the stepping stones to St. Catherine's Church today.

The old narrow gauge railway bridge across the River Esk.

Following the path beneath Gate Crag.

The un-named tarn below Gate Crag.

Eskdale, the low lying cloud covering virtually everything.

Low Birker Farm.

Doctor Bridge.

Doctor Bridge from the north bank of the River Esk.

'Casper the lion' above the River Esk.

St. Catherine's Church, Eskdale.

Has Spring sprung in Eskdale? Some early snowdrops in the churchyard.

Dalegarth Station - no trains or passengers for L'al Ratty today, although I don't think they like you calling it that nowadays. Apparently (according to the local paper), it's got to be 'The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway'. It'll always be L'al Ratty to me...

Watch Hill

Walked on 18/01/2008

Start point: Cockermouth outskirts (NY 136 312)

Cockermouth – Watch Hill (OF) – Setmurthy Common (OF) – Cockermouth

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 184 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Gale force winds and rain. 11°C

The rain and strong winds continued today so I opted for a lower level walk to one of the Wainwright Outlying fells that I have not walked before, Watch Hill, which lies to the east of Cockermouth. I think this is another one to try on a good day as I am sure the views will be quite good from there. Today, however, it was pretty miserable and there were no views.

Following the track to Watch Hill. At this point it didn't seem too bad as it was raining but still quite calm.

Watch Hill is the nearest hill with the top of Setmurthy Common beyond, where the trees are. You can see the rain coming from the right and with it extremely strong winds. All this made walking conditions quite difficult and photo taking opportunities virtually impossible! The muddy track in the foreground gives a taste of how virtually the whole walk was - muddy and squelchy.

Following the wall to Watch Hill.

Someone has thoughtfully put a cairn on the top of Setmurthy Common. On a slightly different note, one of my photos has won the Wainwright Society Photographic Competition 2007 digital category as judged by no less than the esteemed photographer Derry Brabbs. Here's what Derry had to say about the competition, firstly to the Wainwright Society competition organisers: "Thank you presenting me with a wonderful portfolio of images and it has been the hardest task since the competition began to decide upon a winner from each category (film and digital). However, there can be only one (or indeed 2) winners and it is no coincidence that my shortlist of images from each category turned out to be from the same entrant. So, whilst I have picked one shot from each, the two winners actually had 2 or more of their shots in my final selection so they are both to be doubly congratulated for a consistently beautiful portfolio."

Tarn Hows

Walked on 17/01/2008

Tarn Hows

It’s been a week since I last posted a walk and I don’t think the weather has changed at all – the rain has been almost incessant. No surprise then that today’s walk features water and lots of it. Louise and I had a walk around Tarn Hows at lunchtime and we had all to ourselves and it’s not often you can say that about the ever popular Tarn Hows!

The Old Man and Wetherlam made a brief appearance from the cloud cover when we were on the east side of Coniston Water.

Louise checks out our favourite jetty which was almost submerged today.

Coniston and The Old Man - there is still some snow lingering on the tops.

Wetherlam.

Tarn Hows, completely deserted today.

he Tarns are full today, normally the submerged stones stand proud of the water.

Gushing Tom Gill.

Tom Gill falls.

The falls from the top.

Climbing back to Tarn Hows.

ngus and Casper pose at Tarn Hows in the rain.

Little Langdale

Walked on 10/01/2008

Little Langdale

I don’t think it has stopped raining for 24 hours and it has been really heavy, putting loads of rain down. It was too miserable for a high level walk so we had a valley level one instead around Little Langdale. Of course, all that water has to go somewhere…

Great Intake above Slater Bridge, the snow topped Wetherlam is just peeping from under the clouds. Greenburn Beck is looking pretty full after all the rain.

Casper doesn't seem so bothered about how full it is though. To his right, the river is flowing over the path to the bridge, so not much chance of getting across it today. Later we saw a couple attempt it from the other side but they quickly decided against it.

Suddenly there was a cacophony of barks and a flurry of flying fur! Two more Beardies for Casper and Angus to play with!

Slater Bridge, almost overwhelmed.

Lingmoor Fell.

Blake Rigg across Little Langdale Tarn.

Angus gives the eye - can I go and see those other two again?

Heavy rain again now over Little Langdale Tarn.

A final look back as Wetherlam appears again.

Little Langdale.

Hopegill Head

Walked on 09/01/2008

Start point: Hopebeck (NY 169 241)

Hopebeck – Dodd (Lorton) (523)– Gasgale Crag – East Top of Whiteside – Hopegill Head – Ladyside Pike (524) – Swinside (525) – High Swinside Farm – Hopebeck

Distance: 4.6 miles Total Ascent: 677 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Gale force winds and snow. 3°C

It was really rough weather today with a strong, freezing wind making the going tough for much of the route. The calmest part was surprisingly the high level ridge to Hopegill Head between the outward leg of Dodd and the homeward leg of Ladyside Pike. Coupled with the really strong wind was treacherous ice covered which had a thin veneer of snow on top – that meant we certainly had to watch our step today.

Heading for Dodd - the Lorton one.

Hope Gill and Hopegill Head.

Crossing Hope Beck.

The Hopegill Head - Whiteside ridge at the head of the valley

On the summit of Dodd the wind started to get stronger.

As we climbed above the snowline it became much stronger making walking quite difficult. Two steps forward, one step back.

Looking back down the route just ascended to Dodd.

Ladyside Pike and Hopegill Head with Grisedale Pike beyond.

Whiteside from Gasgale Crags with Crummock Water and Mellbreak visible.

Casper on Gasgale Crags, Grasmoor beyond.

Grisedale Pike beyond Hopegill Head with the magnificent arête yet to climb.

Sail and Crag Hill over Coledale Hause.

Looking back to Whiteside.

It almost looks like a drawing this photo, climbing to Hopegill Head.

Again from further along the ridge. It was a toss up as to whether I would get blown off by the gale force wind or slip and fall on the ice along here.

Climbing the icy ridge.

Looking back to Whiteside.

Nearly there Casper! (He is not superimposed on there either!).

Dark and brooding Grasmoor from Hopegill Head.

Grisedale Pike across Hobcarton.

Skiddaw from Hopegill Head. The descent from here to the Ladyside Pike ridge was unbelievably treacherous as it was all ice for the initial section, meaning there was lots of zig-zagging and shuffling around.

Looking back to the descent from Hopegill Head. Phew! Finally made it.

Ladyside Pike ahead.

Hopegill Head from the summit of Ladyside Pike.

If anything the wind picked up even more during the descent as Casper ably demonstrates here.

The top of Swinside was a vague one, somewhere around here. The route of descent from Ladyside Pike to here was along the line of the wall.

Lorton Vale and Loweswater get some sunshine with Blake Fell directly ahead and Loweswater Fell to the right.

Looking north to Cockermouth from the steep descent.

Loughrigg Fell

Walked on 04/01/2008

Start point: Rydal (NY 365 062)

Rydal – Loughrigg Cave – Loughrigg Fell – Rydal

Distance: 3 miles Total Ascent: 280 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Snow. Dull and overcast. 3°C

The snow was down to a low level this morning but conditions were pretty gloomy with a lot of low lying, menacing looking clouds around. I had a walk up to Loughrigg Fell but instead of doing a circuit, I did a straight up and down route from the cave. The conditions at the summit were pretty grim with a strong wind and plenty of cloud cover. All the photos are pretty monochromatic today, but that’s part of the beauty of seeing the Lake District at different times of the year isn’t it?