Scafell Pike

Walked on 30/01/2006

Start point: Brotherilkeld, car park at the bottom of Hardknott Pass (NY 214 011)

Brotherilkeld Farm – Lingcove Bridge – Great Moss – Little Narrowcove – Pen (448) – Scafell Pike – Mickledore – Lord’s Rake – West Wall Traverse – Scafell – Slight Side (449) – Catcove Beck – Brotherilkeld Farm

Distance: 12.2 miles Total Ascent: 1327 metres Time Taken: 5 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Very cold at valley level -4°C. Once into the sunshine it was just like a summer’s day – shirt sleeves all the way!

The weather turned out even better than I was expecting today – I thought it would be clear, but it was unbelievably so and very warm with a temperature inversion to boot! I have been ‘saving’ this walk for a while which includes a steep scramble up to Pen, a subsidiary summit of Scafell Pike, and the scrambles of Lord’s Rake and the West Wall Traverse. It is for this reason that the walk had to be Angus-less; he would never have managed it today. As it turned out, it was one of the most memorable days I have ever had in the fells – one to remember. I make no apologies for the number of photos included in today’s walk – there could have been lots more, it was so hard to weed them out. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Scafell at the head of Upper Eskdale from Brotherilkeld. The cold, dark valley contrasts with the sunlit higher slopes.

Still in the cold Esk Valley - Bow Fell and the Crinkle Crags catch the early sun.

The River Esk.

Lingcove Bridge, an old packhorse bridge.

Further up the River Esk. River Esk movie clip.

Scafell Pike, England's highest.

Slight Side and Scafell along a part frozen River Esk.

Scafell Pike and Ill Crag across Great Moss. The sound of silence - Great Moss movie clip.

Looking to Esk Hause along Great Moss, Esk Pike to the right.

Esk Buttress with the rocky peak of Pen, the first target of the day. How the heck are you supposed to get up there?

Cam Spout Crag, Cam Spout waterfall and Scafell.

Esk Pike from the ascent of Pen.

Icicles on Pen; things were happening in the valleys now.

Looking south to Harter Fell and the Coniston fells.

The River Esk and Great Moss below Pen with a nice temperature inversion to the south.

The way ahead: Scafell Pike from Pen.

At the top of Little Narrowcove.

Looking north to an inverted Ennerdale with Mellbreak and the Loweswater fells showing through the cloud. Great Gable is in the foreground on the right.

Looking over Styhead Tarn to Skiddaw and Blencathra.

The valleys to the east are inverted as far away as Ingleborough and Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales.

A panoramic view of the eastern fells from Scafell Pike.

Select on the image above to see a larger, annotated version.

Looking south-west to Harter Fell.

Pillar above Mosedale.

A panoramic view to the north-west from Scafell Pike.

A close up of Ennerdale; the view extends to Scotland behind the Loweswater fells.

Skiddaw.

Whitfell with the cairn visible and Black Combe beyond. North Wales is on the horizon over the sea of cloud.

The Pillar group of fells in golden light from Mickledore.

Lord's Rake; the fallen stone is still there at the top.

...and here it is.

Looking back down Lord's Rake.

At the start of the West Wall Traverse.

Looking down the steep scree slope.

The West Wall Traverse from the top.

Looking down on Wast Water from Sca Fell; Illgill Head is on the left, Middle Fell right.

Looking across to Scafell Pike from Scafell with Great Gable centre with the High Stile range and Skiddaw beyond.

Still there - Whitfell and Black Combe.

The Scafell range from Slight Side.

Slight Side from Catcove Beck.

Border End and Hard Knott across Upper Eskdale.

Scale Gill falls.

Hampsfell

Walked on 29/01/2006

Start point: Grange Fell road (SD 396 779)

Hampsfell (OF) from the Grange Fell road

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Cold and clear. 4°C

We had a shorter family walk today and took advantage of the lovely, clear weather to walk up to Wainwright Outlying fell, Hampsfell. Lying above Grange-Over-Sands, it offers easy walking with great views in all directions on a clear day like today.

Louise, Connie and Angus setting off for Hampsfell.

The Kent Estuary and Grange-Over-Sands.

A clear view to the Coniston fells today from Fell End.

The Hospice on Hampsfell and limestone pavement.

The Hospice. Some zoom shots from the top of The Hospice...

Scafell between Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man.

Red Screes, Wansfell and Caudale Moor.

Bow Fell between Swirl How and Wetherlam.

Wetherlam, Glaramara and The Langdale Pikes.

Connie and Angus enjoying the weather.

A panoramic view to the Lakeland fells across the limestone pavement.

A big hug!

Thinking about jumping Angus?

Arnside Knott across the Kent Estuary.

Heading back towards the beacon on Fell End.

Connie.

Evening light on Arnside Knott from Grange.

Cold Pike

Walked on 25/01/2006

Start point: Three Shire Stone (NY 277 027)

Three Shire Stone – Rough Crags – Cold Pike – Great Knott – Red Tarn – Pike O’ Blisco – Black Crag – Three Shire Stone

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 600 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Cold and clear. 2oC.

After the poor weather recently, it was nice to get a clear day and blue skies again for a walk up to Cold Pike and Pike o’ Blisco, starting from the Three Shire Stone. The wind on the summit of Cold Pike was incredibly biting, but once out of the wind and back into the sunshine it soon warmed up nicely – a lovely day for a great walk.

Harter Fell along Wrynose Pass.

Cold Pike ahead with one of the Crinkle Crags showing to the right.

Great Knott and Bow Fell across Red Tarn.

Bow Fell.

Is it nice to have a sit in the sunshine Angus?

Pike o' Stickle across Mickleden.

Cold Pike lives up to its name - there was a cold, biting wind on this summit.

Pike o' Blisco with a glimpse of Red Tarn below.

Little Stand.

The Langdale Pikes from Cold Pike summit.

A close-up of the Langdale Pikes.

Pike o' Blisco from the ascent of Great Knott.

The Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell from Great Knott.

The great gash of Hell Gill leading up to Bow Fell.

Bow Fell.

Pike o' Stickle.

The Third Crinkle.

The Langdale Valley.

A panoramic shot to the north with Glaramara in the centre and Sergeant's Crag catching the sun to the right.

The Langdale Valley with Lingmoor Fell in the foreground right from Pike o' Blisco.

Cold Pike across Red Tarn.

Black Combe

Walked on 20/01/2006

Start point: Beckside (SD 153 847)

Beckside – White Hall Knott – White Combe (OF) – Whitecombe Moss – Black Combe (OF) – South Top of Black Combe – Whicham Mill – Beckside

Distance: 6.25 miles Total Ascent: 657 metres Time Taken: 2hours 20 minutes

Weather: Generally dull with the odd sunny spell. 7°C

Black Combe stands isolated at the south-western tip of the Lake District and today it stood isolated as the only cloud-free fell I could see! Well, it did at first, anyway – the mist soon rolled in to cover the very top of Black Combe by the time I arrived. The descent of Black Combe following this route is particularly attractive, following the beck all the way back to the start point.

White Hall Knott, White Combe and the White Combe ridge running to the left.

Catching a brief moment of sunshine on the steep ascent to White Hall Knott.

The Whicham Valley.

Black Combe from White Hall Knott, Blackcombe Beck running down the centre. The path to the right of the beck is the path used in descent.

The Duddon Estuary and the Furness peninsula.

Looking into Black Combe.

Panoramic Black Combe - two Angus' (Angi?!) in this one!

Looking along the valley from Whitecombe Head.

The Irish Sea and the West Cumbrian coastline through the mist from the summit of Black Combe.

Black Combe summit tarn.

Cold and windy by the tarn, it's blowing straight off the sea.

Misty Blackcombe Screes.

The wind is still blowing across this tarn further down. Behind is Whitecombe Head and beyond is Buck Barrow and Whitfell.

White Hall Knott on the descent.

The accompaniment all the way down was the delightful Blackcombe Beck...

...tumbling down...

...and down...

...now it has turned into Whitecombe Beck, used to power Whicham Mill. See and hear Blackcombe Beck

Ennerdale

Walked on 19/01/2006

Start point: Bowness Knott car park (NY 110 155)

Ennerdale

I opted for a low level walk today – the cloud was in at a very low level so I’ll save the fells for another day. I explored the remote valley of Ennerdale walking around Ennerdale Water, the only lake in the district without road access (beyond the car park at the north-western end). Incredibly, although I didn’t think it was possible, the weather actually got worse during the walk as the mist came right down to ground level.

Anglers Crag across Ennerdale Water.

Smithy Beck.

A colourful Lingmell.

The mist hanging onto Ennerdale Forest.

Come on!

Angus.

Bowness Knott.

Looking along the length of Ennerdale Water, Anglers Crag left and Bowness Knott right.

Connie thinks I look like a girl with one of her hair bobbles in; I prefer to think of myself as a football player or rock star...what do you think? (I've bumped into a few things recently!!). More Ennerdale Water shots...

It looks like the rain's coming in from up there.

Ennerdale reflections.

Anglers Crag.

Finsthwaite Heights

Walked on 16/01/2006

Start point: High Dam car park (SD 369 882)

Finsthwaite Heights (OF) and High Dam

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 150 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Dull and raining. 7°C

Another low level walk today due to the inclement weather up to Finsthwaite Heights and High Dam from Finsthwaite. Although man made to provide water power for the nearby bobbin mills (1835), the dams still manage to look beautiful and were described by Wainwright as ‘a much nicer place than the over populated Tarn Hows’.

Oddly, in the Wainwright Outlying fell chapter ‘Finsthwaite Heights’, he makes no mention of reaching the actual highest point and the chapter is just a walk around the area, so today I made the small detour to reach the top.

Following the outflow of the dams.

Upward and onward.

In a whirl through the woods.

Angus on the raised mound which marks the 'summit' of Finsthwaite Heights.

Finsthwaite Heights.

High Dam from Finsthwaite Heights.

...and a glimpse of Windermere, looking north to Belle Isle.

Looking across to Gummer's How.

Low Dam outlet.

Low Dam.

Swimming in the rain.

Dog on a mission - on the wall of High Dam.

High Dam.

Finsthwaite Church.

Orrest Head

Walked on 15/01/2006

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 120 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Dull with odd clear spells. 7°C

Orrest Head is an easy walk from Windermere village; famously it is the first fell that Wainwright ascended and where the stunning view across Windermere caught his imagination and inspired his lifelong passion to wander the fells. Not so today, however, the stunning view was masked by low cloud generally although there were some nice glimpses of the lake.

Just in case we don't know where we are...

...and to make doubly sure we are going the right way.

A peep through to Windermere from the path.

Wheel gate.

A sunny run in the woods for Angus.

Wansfell.

Looking south along Windermere over Bowness.

Belle Isle.

The sun picks out Loughrigg Fell at the northern end of Windermere.

Loughrigg Fell.

A panoramic shot looking south...

...and a panoramic shot looking north with the summit view indicator in the foreground. The view to the high fells is hidden by the clouds.

Angus and Connie on the summit of Orrest Head.

Look at my gloves! On the way back home we took the ferry across Windermere to Far Sawrey.

Looking across Windermere to Orrest Head in the right distance with the Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick ridge behind.

Looking back to Bowness marina, Brant Fell behind.

Hartsop Dodd

Walked on 12/01/2006

Start point: Hartsop (NY 410 130)

Hartsop – Hartsop Dodd (447) – Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) – Threshthwaite Mouth – Threshthwaite Cove – Pasture Bottom – Hartsop

Distance: 6 miles Total Ascent: 1000 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 40 minutes

Weather: Wind and rain. 4°C

From the Western fells yesterday to the Far Eastern fells today and a shorter walk. The climb from Hartsop to Hartsop Dodd is severe, but at least you gain height quickly! The clouds came down along with the rain to obliterate the view for most of the walk. Still, it was nice to be out with a small landmark for Angus in his Wainwright fell-bagging quest.

Shapely Hartsop Dodd - the way up was following the wall from the left to its highest point and then straight up the ridge to the summit.

Crossing Goldrill Beck.

The approach to Hartsop Dodd.

Patterdale from the ascent. Ullswater is in the distance, the village below is Hartsop.

Rest Dodd, The Knott and Gray Crag with Hayeswater Gill running between them.

Brothers Water with the Hartsop above How ridge behind.

Dovedale with a low cloud ceiling.

Looking across to Brock Crags with the knobbles of Angletarn Pikes behind.

The wind drops - I can hear the water in the beck below and the distant sound of a dog barking.

Into the mist, wind and rain - so bad it stings your eyes and hurts your face. The wooden post marks the summit of Hartsop Dodd and this is Wainwright number 200 for Angus.

It was icy cold on Caudale Moor - the wind still howling.

The blown drizzle immediately turned to ice on the grass.

Crossing a beck at Pasture Bottom.

Evidence of glaciers - the rock debris left behind and drumlins in the distance.

Remains of old mine workings.

A bit wet now, Angus.

Looking back to Gray Crag.

Illgill Head

Walked on 11/01/2006

Start point: Old Quarry car park (NY 121 012)

Old Quarry car park – Irton Pike (OF) – Irton Fell – Whin Rigg (445) – Illgill Head (446) – Burnmoor Tarn – Miterdale – Old Quarry car park

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 900 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Grey to start, ever brightening. 7°C

It started off a bit grey and murky this morning, but at least it wasn’t raining after the downpour yesterday which left many places waterlogged and boggy. These fells overlooking Wast Water are perhaps better known from the side as ‘The Screes’, where the steep and treacherous western face looks almost insurmountable. The contrasting eastern side falling to Miterdale is quite gentle and grassy and this is the route I took for the return leg after the ridge walk above Wast Waster.

The sun shines on Sellafield and the West Cumbrian coast from Irton Pike.

Wast Water and Wasdale from Irton Pike. The way ahead is the ridge running to the right above Wast Water.

The path to Whin Rigg from Irton Fell.

Greathall Gill - a great slice cut out of the fellside.

Looking back along the path, over Greathall Gill to Irton Fell and a sunlit Irton Pike.

Contemplation on Whin Rigg for Angus.

Middle Fell over Wast Water from Whin Rigg.

A glimpse of Wast Water down Great Gully.

Something has caught his eye.

Illgill Head in mist over the tarns.

Mountain tarns - they are a great place...

...for a swim.

There are plenty up here.

Looking over to Yewbarrow.

Scary scree slopes.

Middle Fell and Yewbarrow over Wast Water.

The jagged edge of Whin Rigg.

A dull looking Wasdale Head with Kirk Fell and Great Gable in the mist.

Burnmoor Tarn - note the isolated Burnmoor Lodge to the right of the photo.

The sunrays burst out over Miterdale.

A nice place to live.

Sunshine and blue skies now on Whin Rigg.

Great Grain Gill.

Cascades on the River Mite.

Further along the river.

You need to think in the local dialect to translate this sign.

Loughrigg Fell

Walked on 06/01/2006

Start point: Rydal (NY 365 062)

Rydal – Loughrigg Terrace – Loughrigg Fell – Loughrigg Cave – Rydal

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 420 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Dull and grey, light snow flurries. 2°C.

It was very grey and murky this morning for our walk up to Loughrigg Fell from Rydal with the threat of snow ever present – there were many light flurries. This one is a lovely shorter walk, the main attraction being Rydal Water and Grasmere…which of course gives many swimming opportunities for my companion!

Heron Island on Rydal Water.

Nab Scar reflections.

Silver How beyond Grasmere and Rydal Water - a lovely place for a swim.

Grasmere from Loughrigg Terrace.

A wider view of Grasmere with the cleft of Dunmail Raise, right of centre, flanked by Steel Fell and Seat Sandal.

A close up of Helm Crag - commonly known as 'The Lion and The Lamb'. The 'Lion' is clearly visible with the tiny 'Lamb' to the right.

The island on Grasmere. This is the island of which Coleridge wrote, 'We drank tea the night before I left Grasmere, on the island in that lovely lake, our kettle swung over the fire, hanging from the branch of a Fir Tree'.

Grasmere again from further up. The views were all one way today, the fells to the south and west were mainly obscured by clouds.

No chance of a swim in this frozen and snowy pool!

The summit of Loughrigg Fell complete with a sprinkling of snow.

Double Trouble?

The entrance to Loughrigg Cave.

Looking out of through the 'jaws' of the cave.

Reflections at the entrance. For something a bit different...mountain views, not the Lake District and not fell walking (or Angus!), have a look here

Gummer’s How

Walked on 03/01/2006

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

Weather: Bright and sunny once through the mist. 7°C

It was nice to get back out on the fells after the Christmas break this lunchtime, and there was a welcome surprise with the weather – after driving through thick fog, we emerged on the Gummer’s How road to see Windermere and the southern valleys covered by cloud and another temperature inversion. We couldn’t have asked for better and of course Angus was very excited at being out once again! A great walk to blow away the cobwebs.

The Coniston fells across Windermere which is covered in a thick blanket of cloud - taken from the Fell Foot road.

On the path to Gummer's How now, looking south-west to Ulverston with The Hoad monument visible to the left of centre.

The Coniston fells from further up towards the summit.

Angus - glad to be out again?

Looking south-east from Gummer's How summit to the Kent Estuary, completely covered in cloud.

Temperature inversion on Windermere, the Coniston fells to the left, Fairfield and Red Screes to the right.

A panoramic view of Windermere.

A break in the cloud and a zoom shot of boats on Windermere.

Windermere clouds and reflections.

...and zooming in.

The Coniston fells.

A portrait of Connie.

Cold enough on the top to put gloves on.

Graythwaite Old Hall across Windermere. As a postscript, Connie got a camera for Christmas which she had to take on our walk today (naturally!). She thinks it is unfair that I never get my photo on this site and that no-one will know who I am! So, here goes - thanks Connie, great photo!

Caw

Walked on 24/12/2005

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – Long Mire – Pikes (OF) – Caw (OF) – Park Head Road – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Bright and sunny with mist on the tops. 7ºC.

It was much brighter than of late today with clear blue skies and sunshine for a walk up to Caw from Kiln Bank Cross. On the ascent of Caw, the clouds suddenly came over and I was fortunate to witness two interesting phenomenon – a Brocken Spectre and (almost) a temperature inversion.

Looking over the Duddon Valley to The Pike and Hesk Fell under a thick blanket of cloud.

Caw from the slopes of Fox Haw. I climbed Caw from the south, up to the right of the photo.

Mountain dog finds the shapely summit of Pikes.

Looking south-east to the Leven Estuary, the low lying areas are under a blanket of cloud.

A ghostly apparition - a Brocken Spectre on Pikes

..and a close up. This phenomenon was constantly repeated as the sun shone through the mist as I walked from Pikes up to Caw.

Caw, clear of the mist now, on the approach from the east.

The Sca Fells, Esk Pike and Bow Fell across the temperature inversion in the Duddon Valley.

Another Brocken Spectre and the Sca Fells which now looked close enough to touch across the sea of cloud.

Stickle Pike, centre, with Black Combe beyond, still with a thick cloak of cloud.

Grey Friar across the Duddon Valley.

Dow Crag.

A panoramic view across the Duddon Valley.

Bow Fell.

Harter Fell.

The Sca Fells.

Stickle Pike. Later on in the afternoon, we were up on top of Birkrigg Common, near Ulverston, for the most fantastic temperature inversion with the whole of Morecambe Bay and the low ground up to the Coniston fells under a thick blanket of cloud...no camera, of course! I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year - thank you for supporting StridingEdge throughout 2005, here's to a great 2006 with many more walks to come - Sean McMahon (and Angus!).

Devoke Water

Walked on 23/12/2005

It was dark and murky morning again today – no weather for fell walking with a young girl. We had an easy walk up to Devoke Water off the Birker Fell road; there were no views of anything today – just plenty of fresh air.

The sign at the Devoke Water road junction.

A blur of fur and noise. Glad to be out Angus?

The old boathouse on Devoke Water.

A swim in Devoke Water.

Down at the boathouse.

We\'ve spotted something.

Devoke Water.

Wasdale

Walked on 21/12/2005

Not enough time for a walk today on this, the shortest day of the year – I had many more pressing things to do. I did manage a quick trip to Wasdale, however; everywhere else seemed to be covered in cloud, but not here. Angus had another swim in the chilly looking Wast Water and of course, as ever, the views are to die for.

Wast Water looking to Yewbarrow, Great Gable and Lingmell.

Angus - it\'s good for swimming, Wast Water!

...especially when you are built for speed!

The Screes, Wast Water.

Buckbarrow.

Yewbarrow.

Zoom on Yewbarrow.

Kirk Fell from Wasdale Head.

Great Gable from Wasdale Head.

Stickle Tarn

Walked on 20/12/2005

Late this afternoon, we had a walk up to Stickle Tarn intending to go to Stickle Pike but the weather had closed right in, putting a summit attempt off the agenda for today! It wasn’t very good weather for photos with the light being so bad, but I did manage to capture a short video clip of Angus having a swim in the tarn with Connie looking on, shown at the bottom of this page.

Stickle Tarn.

Connie. Point your mouse over the video to make it play - but please be patient, it will take about 2 minutes to download on a 512Kbps broadband connection. Stickle Tarn - Movie The video will only play in Microsoft Internet Explorer - for other browsers, or if you prefer in windows, you can download the clip here

Great Worm Crag

Walked on 14/12/2005

Start point: Brown Rigg on the Birker Fell road. (SD 181 962)

Birker Fell Road (Brown Rigg) – Little Crag – Great Crag on Birker Fell – White How on Birker Fell – Great Worm Crag (OF) – Rough Crag – Birker Fell Road (Brown Rigg)

Distance: 3.6 miles Total Ascent: 324 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 45 minutes

Weather: Bright and sunny. 7ºC.

It was a bit brighter this morning for a short walk around little visited Birker Fell, the high point of the walk being the intriguingly named Great Worm Crag. Great views today but conditions were changing rapidly on the high fells with the cloud seemingly appearing and disappearing every half hour.

The approach to Little Crag to the left of Great Crag.

A steep ascent up the grassy rake to Great Crag.

Crook Crag and Green Crag from Great Crag (how many crags?!).

The Sca Fells from Great Crag.

The sun on Ill Crag.

Scafell Pike and Slight Side.

Invasion of the giant dog.

On the summit of Great Worm Crag.

All the colours - Green Crag from White Crag.

The conditions were quickly changing on the Sca Fells - I watched the clouds come and go three times during the walk.

Grey Friar.

The Coniston fells - Grey Friar on the left, Dow Crag centre and White Pike to the right.

The Duddon Estuary. Stickle Pike is silhouetted to the left, The Pike to the right.

Harter Fell.

The view from Great Worm Crag.

Devoke Water from the summit of Great Worm Crag.

Looking back to Great Worm Crag.

Great Gable

Walked on 13/12/2005

Start point: Car Park at the head of Honister Pass (NY 225 135)

Honister Hause – Bell Crags – Black Star (440) – Fleetwith Pike (441) – Moses Trod – Beck Head – Great Gable – Green Gable (442) – Gillercomb Head – Brandreth (443) – Grey Knotts (444) – Honister Hause

Distance: 8.75 miles Total Ascent: 1159 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Grey and overcast. 5ºC.

Today the weather was a lot duller than yesterday for a walk up to Great Gable from the Honister Pass. It did look promising at the start, but after the ascent of Great Gable I never got out of the clouds until reaching Grey Knotts. It was very quiet up there today and I had every summit to myself, which must be a record for Great Gable I think!

The track from Honister Pass looking down to the slate mine - the only slate mine in England.

Hindscarth from Black Star, the highest point of Honister Crag.

Yewbarrow through the gap between Kirk Fell and Pillar.

The Buttermere Valley from Fleetwith Pike. The nearest water is Buttermere with Crummock Water behind and a glimpse of Loweswater in the distance.

High Crag and High Stile from Fleetwith Pike.

The summit of Grasmoor obscured by clouds.

Haystacks in the foreground with Pillar behind, across Ennerdale.

Angus is back! - on Fleetwith Pike.

High Crag.

Fleetwith Pike to the left of the ridge with Black Star along the same ridge to the right. Much evidence of continuing mining operations here.

Kirk Fell appears fleetingly from the cloud cover.

...as does Green Gable.

A panoramic view of Ennerdale and Buttermere. Select on the image to see a large annotated version.

Angus.

The Ennerdale Valley from the rising of the River Liza which runs all the way to Ennerdale Water.

A glimpse in to Wasdale and a view of Wast Water from Beck Head. Now it was up to Great Gable and up into the clouds.

The Fell and Rock Climbing Club plaque on Great Gable summit with poppies remaining from the Remembrance Sunday service.

The mist clears at Windy Gap to show Styhead Tarn.

A puddle shows how cold it is up on Grey Knotts.

Tarn on Grey Knotts.

Base Brown from the summit of Grey Knotts.

Carron Crag

Walked on 12/12/2005

Start point: Grizedale Forest visitor centre (SD 336 945)

Carron Crag (OF) from Grizedale Forest visitor centre

Distance: 3.6 miles Total Ascent: 243 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Sunny and clear. 5ºC.

The sun was shining and the skies were blue this afternoon, so I took the opportunity for a short walk up to Carron Crag from the Grizedale Visitors centre near Satterthwaite. It’s a little bit odd this walk as most of it is in the forest, so there are no views until you reach the summit ridge where everything opens up before you. Well worth a visit.

Approaching Carron Crag summit.

Coniston Old Man, Swirl How and Wetherlam.

The view from Carron Crag.

A panoramic view of the Coniston fells.

Closing in on The Old Man, the quarry on the face visible.

Swirl How and Wetherlam.

The Leven Estuary.

The Rusland Valley.

Woodcutter in the forest.

...and his brother at the visitors centre.

Black Fell

Walked on 09/12/2005

Start point: Tom Gill Car Park (NY 321 999)

Tom Gill Car Park – Tarn Hows – Black Crag – Tarn Hows – Tom Gill Car Park

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Grey and overcast. 5ºC.

There were dull, grey skies this morning and all views from the fells were obliterated by the clouds. All was peace and tranquillity at Tarn Hows, that well known and often visited beauty spot, when I arrived first thing. The silence was deafening and there wasn’t even an Angus-bark to break it!

Approaching Tom Gill Waterfall.

Tom Gill Waterfall.

The Tarns, Tarn Hows.

Tarn Hows.

Reflections in The Tarns.

The track to Black Fell from Tarn Hows.

The denuded Iron Keld plantation. This once densely forested plantation has now been felled and is being returned to open fellside.

The approach to a misty Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell. The trig. column is on the left of the ridge, the south-east cairn on the right.

The summit column.

Today's 'view' of Windermere from Black Crag.

A wintry looking Lane Head Coppice.

Wansfell Pike

Walked on 06/12/2005

Start point: Troutbeck (NY 409 032)

Wansfell Pike from Troutbeck via Nanny Lane

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny but cold. 5ºC.

Today we took the opportunity to get out in the sunshine for a walk up to Wansfell from Troutbeck. The wind was cold on the top and a thick band of cloud hid the tops of the nearby higher fells, so I think we made the right decision – a great shorter walk.

The approach to Wansfell.

The Coniston fells.

The Fairfield group.

A heavy band of cloud hangs over the Kirkstone Pass with Red Screes to the left and Caudale Moor to the right. The Kirkstone Pass Inn is visible in the centre.