Rough Crag

Walked on 22/07/2005

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

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

Weather: Cloudy. 18°C.

It was another overcast day today with a thick band of low lying cloud over the fells. We just managed to stay below it but the views were totally obliterated from Rough Crag on the northern side of Devoke Water.

Rough Crag route map.

Harter Fell and Green Crag getting lost in the low cloud from Birker Fell.

Seat How.

Devoke Water through the mist from Rough Crag.

Water Crag from Rough Crag.

Angus on the shore of Devoke Water.

Seat How over Devoke Water. ...and on the way home we stopped off at The River Duddon...

...to use a fishing net.

The River Duddon.

Little Langdale Tarn

Walked on 19/07/2005

Start point: Little Langdale (NY 316 034)

Little Langdale Tarn and Blea Tarn

Distance: 1 mile Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Showers. 15°C.

It was quite grey and overcast this morning with the odd shower, so we went for a low level walk around a couple of Lake District beauty spots, Little Langdale Tarn and Blea Tarn. They are in close proximity and make a great walk for a day like today.

Little Langdale Tarn route map.

Lakeland cottages at Little Langdale.

Looking over Slater Bridge, bottom left, to Great Intake and Wetherlam. The spoil heaps of Black Hole Quarry (now disused) are in evidence on the slopes.

Slater Bridge, Little Langdale.

Blake Rigg.

Connie and Angus on Slater Bridge.

Lingmoor Fell across Little Langdale Tarn.

Great Carrs and Little Langdale Tarn. A short drive from Little Langdale is another tarn with classic views, Blea Tarn. I couldn't resist a visit to check out the great view of the Langdale Pikes.

The Langdale Pikes from Blea Tarn.

An absolutely idyllic place for a swim,

Blake Rigg from Blea Tarn.

Dunmallet (Dunmallard Hill)

Walked on 15/07/2005

Start point: Pooley Bridge pier (NY 466 242)

Dunmallet (Dunmallard Hill) (OF) from Pooley Bridge

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 115 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Generally overcast with sunny spells. 19°C.

It is the first day of the school summer holidays today so Connie and I had a day out on the Ullswater Steamers starting from Glenridding and riding up to Pooley Bridge. From there we climbed the Wainwright Outlying Fell, Dunmallet (named as Dunmallard Hill on the O.S map and shown as the site of a settlement, probably a fort given its position). The hill is no more than a gentle stroll and the amount of trees ensures there is no view from the top – we still had a nice day out though.

This walk follows Wainwright’s Dunmallet chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 214.

Dunmallet (Dunmallard Hill) route map.

The head of Ullswater from the Ullswater Steamer pier at Glenridding.

Good day for a swim in Ullswater.

Glenridding Dodd.

Fusedale from the approach to Howtown.

Hallin Fell.

Dunmallard Hill from the approach to Pooley Bridge. With a thick covering of trees, it didn't look like there would be much of a view from there...

...and there wasn't. Connie and Angus at the summit.

Pooley Bridge over the River Eamont.

Back O’ Skiddaw

Walked on 13/07/2005

Start point: Bowscale (NY 358 317)

Bowscale – Bowscale Tarn – East Top on Bowscale Fell (387) – Bowscale Fell (388) – The Tongue (389) – Bannerdale Crags (390) – Blencathra – Mungrisdale Common – Cloven Stone – Lonscale Pike (391) – Lonscale Fell (392) – Jenkin Hill (393) – Skiddaw Lesser Man (394) – Skiddaw Little Man (395) – Skiddaw – Bakestall – Whitewater Dash – Little Calva (396) – Knott – Coomb Height (397) – Little Lingy Hill (398) – Great Lingy Hill (399) – Hare Stones (400) – High Pike (401) – Miton Hill (402) – Round Knott (403) – Carrock Fell (404) – Mungrisdale – Bowscale

Distance: 25.8 miles Total Ascent: 2447 metres Time Taken: 10 hours 50 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm with a slight breeze. 25°C.

Today’s walk was a long circuit of the quiet fells known as ‘The Back o’ Skiddaw’. The weather was very pleasant, not as hot and muggy as it has been recently with a slight, welcome, cooling breeze. The views were absolutely superb at times and I was glad I chose today to do this long walk. The only problem was I forgot my food and 26 miles is a long way without any fuel…

Back O' Skiddaw route map.

Early morning light on Carrock Fell. This was to be the last fell of the walk, some 11 long hours later.

Looking along the Mosedale valley.

Bowscale Tarn, keeper of two immortal fish so legend has it and mentioned by Wordsworth in his poem 'Song at the Feast of Brougham Castle', 1807. '...And both the undying fish that swim, Through Bowscale Tarn did wait on him, The pair were servants of his eye, In their immortality, They moved about in open sight, To and fro, for his delight...'

Strange light and a band of thick low lying cloud to the south from Bowscale Fell's subsidiary east top.

The north western fells seen between Blencathra and Skiddaw.

Blencathra from Bannerdale Crags.

Skiddaw across the summit tarn on Blencathra.

The summit of Blencathra.

Skiddaw from that most derided of Wainwright fells (for not being a true summit), Mungrisdale Common.

Lonscale Fell from Mungrisdale Common. It was a sharp drop off from Blencathra down to Mungrisdale Common then an incredibly steep pull to get back up onto Lonscale Fell via Burnt Horse.

Great Calva from the climb to Lonscale Fell.

The view from Lonscale Pike, the east peak of Lonscale Fell. In the centre is High Rigg with Tewet Tarn visible and Thirlmere behind.

Skiddaw Lesser Man. Little Man and Skiddaw from Jenkin Hill.

There were superb, breath taking views from the climb up to Skiddaw.

The north-western fells from Skiddaw.

Bassenthwaite Lake and Sale Fell from Skiddaw. Not as cold as the last time we were here.

The view reached as far as Scotland over the Solway Firth to Criffel.

Binsey along the Dash Valley. To reach this point was another steep drop off from Bakestall down Birkett Edge and then a hard climb following the fence up to Little Lingy Fell.

The path to Knott.

A quick rest on Coomb Height, Carrock Fell in the background.

High Pike had a welcoming seat...

Evening light and the cloud begins to form on Skiddaw, seen from Round Knott.

Stickle Pike

Walked on 12/07/2005

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

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

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 153 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and very warm. 27°C.

After a short break, it was nice to get back home and back to even hotter weather here than abroad! Of course, there were lots of things to do today but I managed to escape for an hour for a quick walk up to Stickle Pike with Angus who was glad to be free again and to have a nice cooling swim.

Caw from the climb up to Stickle Tarn.

It was so hot today - straight in, no messing!

Great Stickle and the Duddon Estuary from the southern cairn on Stickle Pike.

Harter Fell with the Sca Fells in cloud in the distance.

All this heat has made my tongue grow extra long.

Fusedale Circuit

Walked on 30/06/2005

Start point: St. Peter’s Church, Martindale (NY 436 191)

St. Peter’s Church, Martindale – Hallin Fell (378) – Martindale Hause – Steel Knotts (Pikeawassa) (379) – Brownthwaite Crag (380) – Gowk Hill (381) – Wether Hill (382) – Loadpot Hill (383) – Arthur’s Pike (384) – Bonscale Pike (385) – Swarth Fell (386) – St. Peter’s Church, Martindale

Distance: 9.1 miles Total Ascent: 1002 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Overcast, hazy and warm, 20°C.

Today’s walk was a round of remote Fusedale on the eastern side of Ullswater. It was a steep pull onto the High Street ridge from Steel Knotts, but once on the top, the going is easy and I followed the old Roman Road for part of the route. Although it was warm today, it remained overcast virtually throughout with the odd sunny moment and a heavy shower towards the end.

Fusedale Circuit route map.

The large obelisk on Hallin Fell, looking along Ullswater.

Beda Fell and Martindale from Hallin Fell.

St Peter's Church, Martindale with Hallin Fell Behind.

Looking back to Steel Knotts from Brownthwaite Crag, Fusedale is to the right.

Ramps Gill Head, Rest Dodd and The Nab from Gowk Hill.

Following the Roman road on Wether Hill.

A launch on Ullswater from Bonscale Pike.

The head of Ullswater from Bonscale Pike.

Hallin Fell, the first fell of the round, from Swarth Fell.

Steel Knotts and Fusedale.

High Raise

Walked on 28/06/2005

Start point: Stonethwaite (NY 262 137)

Stonethwaite – Eagle Crag (374) – Sergeant’s Crag (375) – High Raise – Low White Stones (376) – Lining Crag (377) – Stonethwaite

Distance: 7.9 miles Total Ascent: 837 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm, 26°C.

It was a warm one today, 22°C when we set off and getting warmer all the time. Every step was a step towards heaven, one of those days you dream all winter about. The climb up to Eagle Crag is very steep from Stonethwaite and the sun beating down did nothing to ease that, once up there it is a great walk with lovely views along Langstrath to the Scafells.

High Raise route map.

Stonethwaite Beck from Stonethwaite Bridge.

Eagle Crag and Sergeant's Crag at the head of the Stonethwaite Valley.

Langstrath Beck, Angus has a shakedown after cooling off.

Borrowdale from Eagle Crag.

Langstrath from Eagle Crag.

It was so hot today - Angus found this muddy pool which had the consistency of melted chocolate - nice!

Sergeant's Crag from Eagle Crag.

Looking across a reedy tarn on Sergeant's Crag to the Scafells.

High Raise from Low White Stones.

Greenup from Lining Crag.

Looking back to Lining Crag.

The farm at Stonethwaite.

Arnside Knott

Walked on 24/06/2005

Start point: Arnside Knott NT car park (SD 449 774)

Arnside Knott

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent:50 metres Time Taken: 20 minutes

Weather: Grey and overcast, 19oC.

Sleepy Arnside lies just outside the south-eastern boundary of the Lake District National Park (think Grange-over-Sands on Mogadon) so I thought I would pay a visit as I was over that way this morning. Arnside Knott has come to prominence since May this year when it was promoted to Marilyn status (Marilyn’s are a list of hills which have a relative height of 150m, regardless of absolute height or other merit. The name is a pun from the Scottish Munroe’s) and is indeed the lowest summit in England at 159.1 metres. How did it become a ‘new’ summit? – read here.

Arnside Knott.

The Kent Viaduct carries the railway line over the Kent Estuary.

Arnside Knott.

A train crosses the Kent Estuary, Red Screes is silhouetted in the centre distance.

The Kent Viaduct from Arnside Pier.

Arnside and Arnside Knott.

Grange Fell

Walked on 20/06/2005

Start point: Rosthwaite (NY 258 149)

Rosthwaite – Dock Tarn – Great Crag (371) – Grange Fell (Brund Fell) (372) – King’s How (373) – Bowder Stone – Grange – Castle Crag – Rosthwaite

Distance: 9.3 miles Total Ascent: 990 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 20 minutes

Weather: A lovely summer’s day, 21°C.

Today’s walk takes place in ‘the loveliest square mile in Lakeland’ according to Wainwright, in Borrowdale up to Grange Fell and across the valley to Castle Crag (incidentally the lowest Wainwright and the only one less than 1000′). It certainly was lovely today as the sun shone and it was very warm with the merest breeze; a real English summer’s day.

Grange Fell route map.

Borrowdale from the path between Rosthwaite and Watendlath.

Watendlath and Watendlath Tarn, High Seat behind.

Great Gable, left, out of the clouds now with High Crag to the right from Great Crag.

Grange Fell from Great Crag.

Angus atop Brund Fell.

Looking across Borrowdale to Castle Crag - the lower prominence with trees on in the foreground. Behind are Dale Head and High Spy.

The Skiddaw fells and Derwent Water from King's How.

The Bowder Stone.

King's How from Castle Crag across Borrowdale.

Rosthwaite and the Jaws of Borrowdale from Castle Crag.

Okay, here's the colour version of the Derwent Water photo...

Woodland Fell

Walked on 15/06/2005

Start point: Woodland (SD 248 895)

Woodland – Yew Bank (OF) – Beacon Tarn – Wool Knott (OF) – Green Moor Farm – Woodland

Distance: 5.3 miles Total Ascent: 464 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Dull and drizzly, 12°C.

Today’s walk is over little known and little frequented Woodland Fell which lies between Torver and Broughton. It is a lovely secluded place, very quiet, with great views to the Coniston fells in clear weather. Today, the weather was not kind with constant drizzle and grey skies – it felt like November, not June! Here is a snippet of how A.Wainwright described Woodland Fell ‘….the walk here described is a connoisseurs piece, every step an uninhibited joy, every corner a delight. No footmarks, no litter…’. I must say I agree with him.

This walk follows Wainwright’s Woodland Fell chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 102.

Woodland Fell route map.

Yew Bank from Strands Beck.

Foxgloves in abundance on Woodland Fell.

The summit of Yew Bank.

Beacon Fell from the cairn above Beacon Tarn.

Beacon Tarn - re-christened 'Sparkly Tarn' by Connie two weeks ago - not looking quite so sparkly today.

Green Moor Farm.

The footbridge, Green Moor Beck.

Branstree

Walked on 09/06/2005

Start point: Sadgill Bridge, Longsleddale (NY 483 057)

Sadgill Bridge, Longsleddale – Gatesgarth Pass – Branstree (364) – Artlecrag Pike – Selside Pike (365) – High Howes (Mardale) (366) – Tarn Crag (Longsleddale) (367) – Harrop Pike (368) – Grey Crag (Longsleddale) (369) – Great Howe (Longsleddale) (370) – Sadgill Bridge, Longsleddale

Distance: 10.1 miles Total Ascent: 972 metres Time Taken: 3 hour 45 minutes

Weather: Overcast and hazy, a warm 17°C.

Today’s walk was a visit to some of the far eastern fells that I haven’t visited for a good while, starting from Longsleddale. Longsleddale is a lovely valley which is very quiet and Sadgill seems very remote at the end of the long valley road. The weather promised much but failed to deliver any sunshine although it was warm. Indeed, there were more than a few spots of rain towards the end.

Branstree route map.

Longsleddale from Sadgill Bridge.

Looking back to Sadgill on the way to Gatesgarth Pass, the River Sprint meandering down the valley.

Harter Fell from the summit tarn on Branstree.

Selside Pike from Artle Crag.

A glimpse of Haweswater from the survey column between Branstree and High Howes.

Where HAVE you been?!

The survey tower on Tarn Crag, Windermere is in the centre distance.

Harrop Pike.

Bannisdale from Grey Crag.

Grey Crag from yet another survey column on Great Howe.

Goat Scar across Longsleddale from Great Howe.

Longsleddale from Great Howe.

Sadgill.

Angus in the River Sprint beneath Sadgill Bridge.

Devoke Water

Walked on 08/06/2005

Start point: Birker Fell road (SD 171 977)

Birker Fell Road – Rough Crag (Birker Moor) (OF) – Water Crag (OF) – Seat How (Birker Moor) (OF) – Birker Fell Road

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Warm but hazy, gradually clearing, 18°C.

This afternoon I had a short and slow walk on Birker Moor, completing a circuit of the Devoke Water shoreline. It was warm today with a slight breeze; the conditions were hazy so it wasn’t so good for views until the end of the walk. Nice to see a little bit of summer though!

Devoke Water route map.

Harter Fell and Green Crag from Rough Crag.

On Water Crag.

Seat How behind the Old Boathouse.

Another view of the Old Boathouse with Rough Crag behind.

The view to the north-east, the haze beginning to clear now.

Devoke Water.

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 06/06/2005

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Low Water – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 645 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Overcast with sunny spells, 15°C.

This morning’s walk was an ascent of The Old Man of Coniston using a less popular route via Boo Tarn up the south face which I can highly recommend; similarly the descent from Brim Fell was using a less popular route from Brim Fell down to Low Water. It was quite warm this morning and the sun shone on occasions – it was nice to get onto the tops early enough to be on my own.

Coniston Old Man route map.

The Bell from the Walna Scar road.

Boo Tarn - a small reedy pool.

Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

Coniston Water

Coniston village from the south face of The Old Man.

Looking down on Low Water from The Old Man with a glimpse of Levers Water behind and the Wetherlam ridge.

The summit of The Old Man of Coniston - all ours today.

Dow Crag from the Old Man.

The view to the north-west from Brim Fell.

Low Water with the Old Man behind; the popular path can clearly be seen.

Low Water.

Looking back to the Wetherlam ridge and the path from the Coppermines Valley.

Duddon Iron Furnace

Walked on 02/06/2005

Start point: Corney Fell road (SD 197 883)

Duddon Iron Furnace and Ash House Standing Stones

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 140 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Grey and overcast, 14°C.

There was no chance of any decent views from anywhere today as it was so grey with lots of low-lying cloud and plenty of rain about. I ended up having a low level walk from Duddon Bridge and visited the excellently renovated Duddon Iron Furnace and walked through ancient woodland to find the Ash House Standing Stones, one of the many megaliths in the area; the Wordsworth mentioned Swinside Stone Circle is less than a mile away, as is the Lacra megalith complex.

Duddon Iron Furnace route map.

The Duddon Iron Furnace and how it used to look.

The business end of the furnace - the Casting Arch.

Duddon Iron Furnace.

The charge house on top of the furnace.

Mount Wood - the Ash House Standing Stones are to the left, out of shot.

The lower reaches of the River Duddon and the Duddon Estuary from Mount Wood.

One of the Standing Stones (on the left!).

Ash House Standing Stones.

A swim in the River Duddon.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 31/05/2005

Start point: Brown Howe car park on the Torver – Greenodd road. (SD 290 910)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Brown Howe

Distance: 3.75 miles Total Ascent: 382 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes

Weather: A warm, sunny day, 18°C.

The schools are on holiday again this week, so I was joined on this lovely, sunny walk up to Beacon Fell by Connie, my 4 year old daughter. With promises of ‘treasure’ at the top (thanks to Liz Lemal for telling me about it) it made for an interesting walk with great views on such a nice day.

Beacon Fell route map.

A clear view to the Coniston Fells from the ascent of Beacon Fell.

The approach to Beacon Fell.

Lots of Cotton Grass for Connie to pick as a present for Mum.

Coniston Water.

There is a treasure trove on the summit of Beacon Fell - a tin with a notebook and pens inside for people to leave a message - Connie enjoyed drawing a picture of herself in there. Here Angus is sentinel as Connie sits atop the cairn; 'the tin' is visible above Angus' head.

The head of Coniston Water. In the distance are Helvellyn, Fairfield and Dove Crag with the familiar hump-back shape of Red Screes in the centre.

Looking south-west to Black Combe.

Caw.

Looking across Beacon Tarn, a lovely place for our picnic, to Wool Knott. Connie named this 'Sparkly Tarn' as it looked so beautiful with the sunshine on it.

Dow Crag and The Old Man of Coniston.

Returning along the Cumbria Way.

Lower Eskdale

Walked on 27/05/2005

Start point: Woolpack Inn, Eskdale (NY 190 010)

Woolpack Inn, Eskdale – Dawsonground Crags (361) – Whin Crag (Eskdale) (362) – Goat Crag (363) – Woolpack Inn, Eskdale

Distance: 4.2 miles Total Ascent: 543 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Grey skies, clearing to give sunny intervals. A warm 17°C.

This morning’s walk was a fairly round of Lower Eskdale which brought a mixed bag of weather with the greyness clearing towards the end with a fair amount of warmth. Even though these fells were small in stature for Eskdale, there were superb views to the head of the valley, especially from the lowly Goat Crag. The valley was very quiet today, a scene which will change for sure next week during the school holidays.

Lower Eskdale route map.

Stony Tarn with Whin Rigg and Illgill Head behind.

The head of Eskdale from Dawsonground Crags.

Harter Fell.

The grey, rocky mound of Goat Crag with Harter Fell behind.

Angus on the summit of Whin Crag.

The head of Eskdale from Goat Crag.

Looking west along Eskdale from the summit of Goat Crag. The cairn is complete with summit tarn and Cotton Grass!

Scafell and Slight Side.

Waterfall on Blea Beck.

Wansfell

Walked on 23/05/2005

Start point: Ambleside (NY 376 043)

Ambleside – Stockghyll Force – Wansfell Pike – Wansfell – Ambleside

Distance: 4.9 miles Total Ascent: 554 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 50 minutes

Weather: Miserable – no, worse – it was absolutely miserable. 10°C.

The morning started off sunny and bright, right until I reached Ambleside when the clouds came in and it wasn’t long before the heavens opened. That’s the way it stayed right through this walk, the highlight being Stockghyll Force; the rest of the walk saw no views. I think Angus was wishing for his hair back on top of Wansfell Pike as it was decidedly chilly. There was me thinking it would soon be summer when I had his hair cut..

Wansfell route map.

The weir and lower falls on Stock Ghyll.

Stockghyll Force.

...and again from further up.

A blustery, cold and wet Wansfell Pike summit.

The ridge from Wansfell Pike to Wansfell.

Wansfell summit.

Loughrigg Fell in cloud over Ambleside.

Blawith Knott

Walked on 22/05/2005

Start point: Woodland Fell road (SD 256 879)

Woodland Fell Road – Blawith Knott (OF) – Lang Tarn – Tottlebank Height (OF) – Woodland Fell Road

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 245 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 40 minutes

Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells. 14oC.

Today we had a family outing to the virtually unfrequented Blawith Knott which lies between Broughton-in-Furness and Torver. This is another fell that is small in stature and is easy going, yet offers magnificent views to the Coniston fells.

This walk follows the one described in Wainwright’s Blawith Knott chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 108.

Blawith Knott route map.

The sun shines on Stickle Pike.

Heading up to Blawith Knott.

The first cairn, looking to Black Combe.

The Duddon Estuary from Blawith Knott.

Louise, Connie and Angus on Blawith Knott. Hold on tight!

Blawith Knott - Panorama2_annotated_small

The north-westerly view from Blawith Knott.

Lang Tarn, the smallest named tarn in Lakeland.

The Coniston fells across an un-named tarn on Tottlebank Height.

Caw from Tottlebank Height.

Caw

Walked on 18/05/2005

Start point: Seathwaite, Dunnerdale (SD 228 960)

Seathwaite – Park Head Road – Caw (OF) – Pikes (OF) – Green Pikes (OF) – Seathwaite

Distance: 4.1 miles Total Ascent: 532 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 40 minutes

Weather: Grey and overcast. 12oC.

This morning’s walk was part of the Wainwright Society’s celebratory week commemorating 50 years since the first publication of the famous ‘Pictorial Guides’. The Great Lakeland Challenge records the ascent of all 214 Wainwright fells and 56 ‘Outlying Fell’ walks in one week by Society members who have nominated their choice. I chose Caw as it commands an outstanding view along the Duddon Valley and it has a great pyramidal shape when viewed from the valley below.

Unfortunately, it was a bit of a grey day today and the clarity of last week has gone although it is still felt chilly on the tops. This walk follows Wainwright’s Caw chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 120.

Caw route map.

Elevation profile of the walk.

3D image of the walk route.

Seathwaite from Park Head Road.

The Duddon Valley and Harter Fell along Park Head Road, the old quarry road used in ascent. In the distance are Esk Pike, Bow Fell and the Crinkle Crags.

Old Level, Caw Quarry.

The Duddon Estuary from Caw.

Caw summit.

Caw, from Pikes.

The view north from Green Pikes.

Harter Fell from Green Pikes.

Rock formations on Green Pikes.

White Pike.

The beautiful pyramid of Caw from Ulpha in the Duddon Valley.

Ulpha Bridge.

Grey Friar

Walked on 13/05/2005

Start point: Troutal, Duddon Valley (SD 234 983)

Troutal – Seathwaite Tarn – Fairfield – Grey Friar – Troutal Fell – Troutal

Distance: 6.5 miles Total Ascent: 961 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny with a strong, cold wind. 14°C.

The sun continued to shine for this morning’s ascent to the north-west cornerstone of the Coniston fells, Grey Friar. There was a strong, icy breeze blasting down from the fells across Seathwaite Tarn and it felt a lot colder than yesterday.

Grey Friar, standing apart from the main Coniston fells, gives magnificent, uninterrupted views of the Sca Fells and a great view of Harter Fell and westwards out to the coast and the Irish Sea.