Pike o’ Blisco

Walked on 16/09/2005

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: 3 hours

Weather: Sunny intervals but a lot cooler. 12°C.

The weather felt distinctly colder today on this walk from the top of the Wrynose Pass to Cold Pike and Pike o’ Blisco. Today was the day John Patterson completed his round of the Wainwrights, his 214th fell being the Pike o’ Blisco, and I met up with him and a group of friends en route to help him achieve a 40 year goal and to celebrate with champagne (of course!).

Pike o' Blisco

Cold Pike from the approach to Red Tarn.

Harter Fell. The Wrynose Pass road can be seen snaking down the valley.

Swirl How, Great Carrs and Grey Friar across the Wrynose Pass.

Looking across Red Tarn to Great Knott, the Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell.

Pike o' Blisco and Red Tarn from the ascent of Cold Pike.

The Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell from Cold Pike.

Great Knott from Cold Pike.

Pike o' Blisco from Great Knott.

Angus on the summit of Great Knott.

Great Langdale and the Eastern Fells from Pike o' Blisco.

The Langdale Pikes across Mickleden.

Champagne for John Patterson on his 214th and final Wainwright, Pike o' Blisco.

Some names to faces on the summit.

Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 13/09/2005

Start point: Stonestar (SD 202 912)

Stonestar – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – The Dunnerdale Fells – Stonestar

Distance: 3.1 miles Total Ascent: 358 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 25 minutes

Weather: Overcast and breezy. 17°C.

Back to nearer home today with a walk up to the group of small, rough fells known as The Dunnerdale Fells lying between the Duddon Valley and Lickle Valley . The clear weather of yesterday has disappeared again and the rain was threatening but thankfully it stayed off. The bracken is noticeably turning brown now – we should know, we waded through enough of it today!

Dunnerdale Fells

Great Stickle ahead. The bracken is beginning to turn brown now.

The Pike across the Duddon Valley with a sunlit Hesk Fell behind.

The summit of Great Stickle, the Duddon Estuary in the distance.

Looking back to Great Stickle from Tarn Hill.

Stickle Pike from Tarn Hill.

A quizzical look on the Dunnerdale Fells.

The Pike through the thick Gorse on the rough descent.

The River Duddon.

Bow Fell

Walked on 12/09/2005

Start point: Cockley Beck (NY 246 016)

Cockley Beck – Moasdale – Lingcove Beck – Three Tarns – Bow Fell – Climbers Traverse – Three Tarns – Shelter Crags – Crinkle Crags – Stonesty Pike – Little Stand – Ulpha Fell – Cockley Beck

Distance: 8.8 miles Total Ascent: 1127 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Sunny and warm. 20°C.

Today was an almost unseasonally warm day, just like midsummer. I had a walk from Cockley Beck at the head of the Duddon Valley up to Bow Fell and back along the Crinkle Crags. I had forgotten how rough the terrain was, especially for a dog, but Angus seemed to take it all in his stride. There isn’t a full set of photographs today as the camera battery decided to give up along the Climbers Traverse on Bow Fell – I must remember to recharge it in future! Hopefully the photographs I did manage to capture show the flavour of the walk terrain and conditions.

Bow Fell route map.

Little Stand and Ulpha Fell from Moasdale. The final route of descent was straight down the middle which was very rough - not recommended.

The Scafells appear from the boggy walk along Moasdale.

The Scafell range.

Esk Pike and Bow Fell.

Bow Fell links.

Looking back along Lingcove Beck from the approach to Three Tarns.

The Scafells across one of the Three Tarns.

The Crinkle Crags across Three Tarns from the climb to Bow Fell.

Angus on the summit of Bow Fell.

Scafell and Scafell Pike separated by Mickledore.

One man and his dog looking down The Great Slab on Bow Fell.

The Langdale Pikes across the infeasibly angled Great Slab of Flat Crags.

The Langdale Pikes and Mickleden from the Climbers Traverse.

Stickle Pike

Walked on 07/09/2005

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: A drizzly, grey morning. 16°C.

It was grey with drizzle this morning – there wouldn’t be any views, anywhere – so we went for a short walk up to our often visited favourite, Stickle Pike above Broughton Mills and the Duddon Valley. There was no company this morning either as the children are back at school, so it was back to the old team once again!

Looking along the Dunnerdale Fells to The Knott, low lying cloud hanging on the tops.

Stickle Tarn (where's Angus? - answers on a postcard please..!).

Even lowly Stickle Pike had its head in the clouds today.

Angus on the summit of Stickle Pike.

Great Stickle.

A swim in Stickle Tarn.

Hard Knott

Walked on 02/09/2005

Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)

Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Warm with a breeze. 18°C.

Today’s walk was up to Hard Knott via Border End from the summit of Hardknott Pass; a short and sharp ascent over some boggy ground. The weather steadily improved until the clouds completely lifted from nearly all the high fells.

Hard Knott route map.

Eskdale from Border End.

Looking across Hardknott Pass to Harter Fell.

Esk Pike.

Slight Side and Scafell across Upper Eskdale.

Angus and Connie on Hard Knott.

The cloud lifting on Bow Fell and The Crinkle Crags.

Looking across Wrynose Bottom to Gray Friar from Hard Knott. The Wrynose Pass road can be seen descending from centre left.

As we left Hard Knott, the clouds continued to lift from the high fells.

Duddon Valley Ramble

Walked on 29/08/2005

Duddon Valley ramble

Weather: Sunny. 17°C.

We had a walk around Seathwaite and Wallowbarrow in the Duddon Valley today, one of the loveliest and quietest parts of the Lake District. It was a lovely late summer day today; perfect for a Bank Holiday Monday.

Caw from High Wallowbarrow.

Wallowbarrow Crag. There were lots of rock climbers up there today.

Angus enjoys a swim in Wallowbarrow Pool, the confluence of Tarn Beck and the River Duddon.

The River Duddon.

Stepping stones across the River Duddon.

White Pike from Seathwaite.

Seathwaite Church.

The clipping stone (used to sit on when shearing sheep) used by Robert 'Wonderful' Walker outside Seathwaite Church. Wonderful Walker was referenced by Wordsworth in his poems The Excursion and The River Duddon.

Memorial Bridge over the River Duddon.

Late afternoon in Wallowbarrow coppice.

Wallowbarrow Farm.

Yewbarrow

Walked on 25/08/2005

Start point: Overbeck Bridge (NY 168 068)

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

Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 1077 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 50 minutes

Weather: Sunny spells with a cool wind. 15°C.

Today’s walk in cooler weather than recently was up to Yewbarrow from Wasdale. This walk starts with a steep ascent from Overbeck Bridge followed by a scree climb and a walk along the full length of the ridge before another scramble down Stirrup Crag before contouring back along Yewbarrow’s western slopes. A lovely, shorter walk which gives good views to the head of Wasdale, the Scafells and Great Gable.

Yewbarrow route map.

Yewbarrow from Wasdale, Great Gable to the right.

The steep path to Bell Rib (complete with a hurry up call!).

Lingmell, Scafell Pike and Scafell (in cloud) across Wast Water on the ascent.

Mountain dog on the climb to Bell Rib.

Illgill Head and Whin Rigg across Wast Water from Bell Rib.

The westerly view from Yewbarrow.

Great Gable catches the sunrays.

Wasdale Head from Stirrup Crag. Notice the field boundary, stone wall arrangement. Wordsworth said of this '...meadow and corn-ground intersected with stone walls apparently innumerable, like a large piece of lawless patchwork, or an array of mathematical figures, such as in the ancient schools of geometry might have been sportively and fantastically traced out upon sand.'

Another view of the Scafells.

Pillar and Mosedale.

Looking back to Dore Head.

Over Beck.

Latterbarrow

Walked on 22/08/2005

Start point: Colthouse (SD 360 988)

Latterbarrow (OF) from Colthouse

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

Weather: Clearing but breezy. 17°C.

This morning I took Connie and Angy up to Latterbarrow above Hawkshead. After a grey and drizzly start to the morning, the skies surprisingly turned blue if somewhat breezy. Latterbarrow is a great and easily accessible little fell which offers superb views of higher ground.

Latterbarrow route map.

All this bracken sends me barking!

The impressive summit obelisk on Latterbarrow.

The Coniston fells.

The Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell.

The Langdale Pikes and High Raise.

Looking over Windermere to Ambleside.

The Eastern fells from Latterbarrow.

Jack’s Rake

Walked on 17/08/2005

Grasmere – Easedale – Easedale Tarn – Belles Knott – Stickle Tarn – Pavey Ark – Thunacar Knott – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Low White Stones – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Grasmere

Distance: 12.5 miles Total Ascent: 1256 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Turning sunny and warm. 23°C.

Today was a choice of walk for 14 year old James; as he’s wanted to climb Jack’s Rake (sorry Angus, not a walk for dogs!) and Helm Crag (commonly known as ‘The Lion and the Lamb’) for a while, we killed two birds with one stone today and did a long round from Grasmere. The weather started somewhat dull but by the time we reached Easedale Tarn, the sun shone and it turned into a glorious day with memorable, superb views from our lunch stop on High Raise.

Jack's Rake

Easedale Tarn.

Belles Knott - the 'Matterhorn' of Easedale.

James on the summit of Belles Knott, looking across Easedale to Blea Rigg.

Codale Tarn, Tarn Crag, Belles Knott and Easedale Tarn.

Stickle Tarn, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Approaching Jack's Rake which can be seen as a diagonal groove centre right - left.

Looking up the steep Jack's Rake.

Climbing the Rake.

Stickle Tarn from Jack's Rake.

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

Another view of Harrison Stickle from one of the tarns on Pavey Ark.

The view from High Raise.

Bow Fell from High Raise.

Skiddaw in the distance from the summit of High Raise.

The Gibson Knott - Helm Crag ridge from Calf Crag.

Approaching Helm Crag, Grasmere in view to the right.

James admiring the view from the true summit of Helm Crag, on top of the rocks known as 'The Howitzer'. Wainwright never reached this highest position on Helm Crag!

The Howitzer on Helm Crag.

Grasmere from Helm Crag.

Elterwater

Walked on 14/08/2005

Start point: Skelwith Bridge.

Elterwater

Weather: Mainly sunny. 19°C.

Today we had a low level walk along part of the Cumbria Way from Skelwith Bridge to Elterwater village and back. This is an easy going walk with great views to the Langdale Pikes and Skelwith Force waterfall; perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

Skelwith Force waterfall.

The River Brathay.

The Langdale Pikes.

A swim in Elter Water for Angus.

Looking across to Wetherlam.

The Langdale Pikes across Elter Water.

The family beside Elter Water.

Loughrigg Fell.

The Hoad

Walked on 12/08/2005

Start point: Ulverston

The Hoad

Weather: Mainly sunny. 20°C.

We had a short walk up to Hoad Hill today, a small hill (133m) which stands over the small market town of Ulverston, just outside the southern fringe of the Lake District National Park. Atop the hill is a monument which is a local landmark, The Hoad, officially named The Sir John Barrow Monument. It celebrates the famous Ulverston son who was a Naval administrator and traveller and is built in the style of The Eddystone Lighthouse.

The approach to Hoad Hill, the Sir John Barrow Monument in view.

It's thirsty work up here.

The Hoad Monument.

Looking across to Cartmel Sands and the Plumpton railway viaduct.

Ulverston from Hoad Hill.

Looking northwards to the Coniston fells.

Gummer’s How

Walked on 10/08/2005

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 hours

Weather: Cloudy but very still and warm. 20°C.

It was very still and warm this morning for our walk up to the popular Gummer’s How. The high fells were mainly in cloud today but we had great views along the length of Windermere. The top was populated not with people today, but irritating flies – thousands of them! This meant we didn’t hang around for too long…

Gummer's How route map.

The steep stone staircase to Gummer's How.

Red Screes and Caudale Moor at the head of Windermere from the summit of Gummer's How.

Angus and Connie have a rest.

Looking along the length of Windermere.

The Coniston fells, the scene of last Fridays walk, now covered in cloud.

Lakeside at the southern end of Windermere and the outflow, the River Leven.

A close up of a steamer at the Lakeside jetty.

Hurry up!

The steamer pulls away for a cruise along Windermere.

Gummer's How.

Coniston Round

Walked on 05/08/2005

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

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

Distance: 7.1 miles Total Ascent: 941 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Cloudy with sunny intervals. 18°C.

Connie had better things to do today so it was up to Coniston for me and Angus. The weather was variable with the odd spot of rain but there were generally good views, especially when we got to Swirl How. It was really busy up there today so we went the quietest way we could – straight up the nose of the Old Man and returning via Boulder Valley. Both are much quieter than the popular routes.

Coniston Round route map.

Coniston Old Man from the Walna Scar road.

The Coniston fells from The Old Man of Coniston.

The sunshine lights up Bow Fell.

Harter Fell from Brim Fell.

Seathwaite Tarn from Great How Crags.

A bit windy on Swirl How.

The Sca Fell range.

The Langdale Pikes.

The north easterly view from Swirl How.

Levers Water and Coniston Water.

Looking down Prison Band to Wetherlam.

Bow Fell on the left, Pike O' Blisco on the right and in the centre is Red Tarn.

Walking on (Levers) Water!

Where has all the water gone? Normally this weir would be overflowing.

Looking back to Wetherlam from the path to the Walna Scar road.

Blawith Knott

Walked on 04/08/2005

Start point: Woodland Fell road (SD 256 879)

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

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 245 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Grey and overcast. 16°C.

It was grey and overcast yet again this afternoon for our short walk over Wainwright Outlying fell Blawith Knott. The heavy clouds threatened rain which thankfully didn’t materialise and we had an enjoyable walk with David and Daniel, who are holidaying in the area this week.

Blawith Knott route map.

The Duddon Estuary from the first cairn on Blawith Knott.

On the summit of Blawith Knott, low clouds spoiling the view today but everyone seems to be enjoying it.

Daniel explores the dried up, un-named tarn on the way to Tottlebank Height.

Beacon Fell and Wool Knott with the merest glimpse of Coniston Water from Tottlebank Height.

Blawith Knott from a heather clad Tottlebank Height.

Great Burney.

The Dunnerdale Fells and Stickle Pike across Woodland and the Lickle Valley.

Irton Pike

Walked on 01/08/2005

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

Old Quarry car park – Irton Pike (OF) – Old Quarry car park

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 125 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Dull but warm and still. 18°C.

It was grey and overcast yet again this morning but very still and warm, the peacefulness shattered by many RAF jets screaming overhead today. We had a walk up to Irton Pike above Eskdale, the easy walk was made harder by the amount of trees still lying across the paths around the afforested base of Irton Fell.

Irton Pike route map.

Ascending Irton Pike through the forest - plenty to bark at here.

The long shape of Muncaster Fell from Irton Pike.

Sellafield and the west Cumbrian coast.

On the summit of Irton Pike looking to Wasdale Head.

Looking down to Parkgate Tarn.

Wasdale Head from Irton Pike.

Across Eskdale to Harter Fell and the Coniston fells.

Great Gable makes a brief appearance from the clouds.

Irton Pike.

North Lonsdale Show

Walked on 27/07/2005

North Lonsdale Agricultural Show

Okay, so it’s not a fell walk today, but it was a big day for Angus and Connie as she entered him into the under 16’s pet category at the local agricultural show. They were up against some stiff opposition today; hamsters, guinea pigs and the like – could he overcome it and triumph?

Here we go in the show ring with some of the opposition...a pet lamb?!

A result! Second, beaten only by a bulldog!

He scrubs up well.

The prize.

Holme Fell

Walked on 26/07/2005

Start point: Hodge Close (NY 315 016)

Holme Fell from Hodge Close

Distance: 1.8 miles Total Ascent: 203 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Overcast, very still. 17°C.

It was quite grey and overcast again this morning but very still which made it feel quite warm. We had a walk to Holme Fell from Hodge Close, it was a lovely walk on a day like today – very relaxing with the heather in full bloom. As Wainwright said ‘…the glorious jungle of juniper and birch, heather and bracken make this one of the most attractive of Lakeland’s fells’.

Holme Fell route map.

Hodge Close, a disused quarry.

Climbers on the smooth quarry wall...they must be mad!

Ivy Crag and Holme Fell reflected in one of the disused reservoirs.

The reedy end of the reservoir.

The Langdale Pikes and High Raise from Holme Fell summit. Lingmoor Fell is in the foreground.

Holme Fell summit.

Wetherlam from Holme Fell. Pike O' Blisco is the fell in the distance on the far right of the photo.

Coniston Water from the southern end of Holme Fell.

The heather is in full bloom.

More reflections in another disused reservoir. On the way home (after ice-cream, of course!) we stopped off to give Angus a dunk in Coniston Water.

Coniston Water.

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.