Harter Fell

Walked on 06/05/2005

Start point: Birks Bridge, Duddon Valley (SD 235 992)

Harter Fell from Birks Bridge

Distance: 3.25 miles Total Ascent: 534 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Dull and overcast. 10°C.

This morning’s short walk was from the Duddon Valley up to Harter Fell, a sometimes boggy and pathless climb. The south eastern face of Harter Fell has been transformed over the last year or two with the deforestation of this part of the Dunnerdale Forest – Wainwright said there was no access to Harter Fell from the Duddon Valley, but of course that has all changed now.

Harter Fell route map.

Birks Bridge holds a lot of memories for me as I did a lot of swimming here during my youth and continue to do so with the family, who all love this place.

...and of course we have to climb Birks Bridge rapids just upstream.

Looking across the Duddon Valley to Grey Friar. To the right centre of the photo is Seathwaite Tarn nestling below Dow Crag, lost in the mist.

Hard Knott from the ascent of Harter Fell.

A misty and windy Harter Fell summit.

The sun shines on Stickle Pike and the Duddon Valley with the Duddon Estuary beyond.

A close up of Seathwaite Tarn, its outlet is Tarn Beck.

The mist clears briefly from the higher tops. L-R: Bow Fell, Crinkle Crags and Little Stand.

What better way to finish the walk than a dip in the cool, clear water of the River Duddon. If it was a bit warmer I would have been in there myself!

Harter Fell from the Duddon Valley.

Grasmoor

Walked on 05/05/2005

Start point: Lanthwaite Green (NY 159 208)

Lanthwaite Green – Whin Ben – Whiteside (349) – Gasgale Crags (350) – East Top of Whiteside (351) – Hopegill Head – Sand Hill – Grasmoor (352) – Wandope (353) – Thirdgill Head Man (354) – Whiteless Pike (355) – Whiteless Breast – Low Bank – Rannerdale Knotts (356) – Rannerdale – Lanthwaite Green

Distance: 10.1 miles Total Ascent: 1943 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 55 minutes

Weather: Dull and overcast, rain later. 10oC.

The cloud was lying heavily on the higher tops today, so I knew there wouldn’t be any views from my round of Grasmoor. The wind was howling and quite cold, there was a great moment descending to Whiteless Pike when the mist cleared all of a sudden and I was rewarded with great views; five minutes later the mist and drizzle closed back in. I descended Rannerdale Knotts into Rannerdale to see the famous Bluebells, now in bloom and well worth a visit.

Grasmoor route map.

Whin Ben with Whiteside lost in the mist behind.

Mellbreak across Crummock Water.

Loweswater.

The arête to Hopegill Head is a mini-Striding Edge, totally lost in the clag today.

A bit of a breeze on Thirdgill Head Man!

Descending through the mist to Whiteless Pike.

Mellbreak and Crummock Water.

Looking back to Thirdgill Head Man, left, and Wandope to the right.

Crummock Water and Loweswater.

Rannerdale Knotts.

Loweswater, Crummock Water and the Loweswater Fells from Rannerdale Knotts.

Whiteless Pike from Rannerdale Knotts.

The Bluebells are out at Rannerdale...

...lots of them.

Rannerdale.

Hugill Fell

Walked on 04/05/2005

Start point: Barley Bridge, Staveley (SD 470 987)

Hugill Fell (OF) from Staveley

Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 160 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny and warm. 15°C.

I was in Kendal at lunchtime, the sun was shining so I took the opportunity to try and dry out after yesterdays damp affair and headed up to the Wainwright Outlying fell, Hugill Fell from Staveley. A nice and easy one this with some great views, especially when the sun shines.

Today’s short walk follows Wainwright’s Hugill Fell chapters in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 22.

Hugill Fell route map.

Brunt Knott over Kentmere Valley.

The head of Kentmere and the Kentmere Horseshoe.

View of the distant high fells from Hugill Fell; the Coniston fells to the left, the Langdales to the right.

The summit of Hugill Fell.

The River Kent flows over the weir at Barley Bridge, Staveley.

Caudale Moor

Walked on 03/05/2005

Start point: Kirkstone Pass road (NY 412 063)

Kirkstone Pass – Woundale – St. Raven’s Edge (345) – John Bell’s Banner (346) – Caudale Moor (Stony Cove Pike) (347) – Threshwaite Mouth – Park Fell Head – Troutbeck Park – Troutbeck Tongue (348) – Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 10.1 miles Total Ascent: 929 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 20 minutes

Weather: Rain, heavy at times, clearing by the end. 12-15°C.

The heavens had opened when I set off this morning for the climb up to Caudale Moor on the eastern side of Kirkstone Pass. There were no views and it was quite miserable until I descended to Troutbeck where the sun came out – and of course shone on the places I had just been! This was a boggy affair due to the amount of rain and coupled with one or two tricky river crossings, it made for a very damp day.

Caudale Moor route map.

3D image of the walk route.

This view of Woundale just about sums up the first half of the walk!

Waterfall on Woundale Beck. After this it got very confusing in the mist and I ended up getting slightly off course....

...when I realised I was descending to the Kirkstone Pass Inn, seen here from St. Raven's Edge.

Angus on John Bell's Banner.

Pasture Bottom from Threshwaite Mouth, Ullswater in the distance.

Troutbeck Park and Troutbeck Tongue from Park Fell Head.

Angus gets picked on by a lamb. The lamb thought he'd found a new 'mum' when he spotted Angus and proceeded to follow us.

Windermere and the Troutbeck Valley from Troutbeck Tongue.

Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke from Troutbeck Tongue.

Slate Bridge, Trout Beck.

Woundale at the end of the walk. Compare the conditions with the first photo above.

Wetherlam

Walked on 29/04/2005

Start point: Tilberthwaite car park (NY 306 010)

Tilberthwaite – High Fell – Blake Rigg – Wetherlam Edge – Wetherlam – Steel Edge – Tilberthwaite Gill – Tilberthwaite

Distance: 4.6 miles Total Ascent: 918 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 5 minutes

Weather: Sunny with broken cloud. 12-14oC.

The sun was shining at times again this morning but many of the higher fells still had cloud lingering on their tops, fortunately for me Wetherlam remained relatively clear. This is a great little route from Tilberthwaite – it was almost reminiscent of a mini-Helvellyn ascent via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge – using Wetherlam Edge for the steep climb up and Steel Edge for the drop back down into Tilberthwaite.

Wetherlam route map.

3D image of the walk route.

Tilberthwaite.

The Langdale Pikes from High Fell. Pike O' Blisco is on the far left, Blea Tarn is to the centre right.

Wetherlam from Blake Rigg.

A panoramic view of Wetherlam.

Looking back along Wetherlam Edge with Little Langdale Tarn to the left.

Windermere.

The Old Man of Coniston from Wetherlam. The Coniston fells remained in cloud all morning.

Wetherlam summit.

Looking across Wetherlam Edge to a distant Dunmail Raise.

Coniston Water.

Steel Edge, the route used in descent.

Tilberthwaite Gill.

Mellbreak

Walked on 26/04/2005

Start point: Loweswater (NY 147 214)

Loweswater – North Top of Mellbreak (340) – South Top of Mellbreak (341) – Scale Knott (342) – Mosedale – Hen Comb(343) – Little Dodd (Loweswater) (344) – Loweswater

Distance: 8.7 miles Total Ascent: 857 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Mild, overcast. 12-14oC.

The blue skies of yesterday had gone again by this morning to be replaced by the more usual leaden, grey variety. I think I picked the brightest place in the whole Lake District for a walk today from Loweswater up to Mellbreak and back along the other side of Mosedale along the Hen Comb ridge.

I called in on Roger and Ann Hiley at Oak Cottage, Loweswater who joined me for the initial stage of the walk up to Mellbreak with their two dogs Harry and Bethan.

Mellbreak route map.

Mellbreak from Scalehill Bridge.

The north end of Mellbreak from Kirkhead.

Grasmoor across Crummock Water.

"....a lovely peep around a corner..." on the direct ascent from Loweswater.

Loweswater with Carling Knott and Burnbank Fell, left and the Loweswater Fells, right.

On the north top of Mellbreak; Ann with Angus and Roger with Bethan and Harry.

The south top and accepted summit of Mellbreak from the north top.

Rannerdale Knotts across Crummock Water from Scale Knott.

Hen Comb from Mosedale.

The Mosedale Tree, a holly tree that is the only singular tree in the Lake District honoured with a symbol and named on the map.

Hen Comb from Little Dodd.

Loweswater Fell and Loweswater.

The Mosedale face of Mellbreak.

Looking back to Little Dodd with Hen Comb behind.

Glaramara

Walked on 25/04/2005

Start point: The head of Seathwaite valley (NY 236 123)

Seathwaite – Stockley Bridge – Seathwaite Fell (333) – Great Slack on Seathwaite Fell (334) – Sprinkling Tarn – Allen Crags (335) – High House on Allen Crags (336) – Lincomb Head on Glaramara (337) – Looking Stead on Glaramara(338) – Glaramara (339) – Seathwaite

Distance: 7.5 miles Total Ascent: 1092 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 40 minutes

Weather: Warm and hazy, 13-20oC.

Today’s walk is another great one along that undulating, rocky ridge of Glaramara. The walk started and finished steeply with a harsh climb up to Seathwaite Fell and a straight down descent from Glaramara.

The sun shone brightly today with temperature reaching a heady 20oC with only a slightly cool breeze reminding me that it is still early on. However, this was the first airing of the year for my Lily-white, winter conditioned legs in shorts – a nice feeling – and the whole walk was completed in shorts and tee shirt only.

Glaramara route map.

Seathwaite fell from the path to Stockley Bridge.

Glaramara from Seathwaite Fell whilst Angus finds a puddle to wallow in.

Great Gable and Green Gable across one of the many summit tarns on Seathwaite Fell. Can you spot the duck?

Seathwaite Fell main summit from Great Slack.

Lingmell from Great Slack.

Great End from Allen Crags.

Bow Fell across AW's 'a perfect mountain tarn' on High House.

High House Tarn, the Langdale Pikes in view to the right.

Looking back to High House over Lincomb Tarns from Lincomb Head.

The main summit of Glaramara from Looking Stead, where Angus takes a break...

The hazy view from Glaramara.

Looking back from Seathwaite, the Glaramara ridge to the left, Seathwaite Fell on the right.

Cold Pike

Walked on 20/04/2005

Start point: Three Shire Stone (NY 277 027)

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

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 500 metres Time Taken: 1 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Cool, slightly hazy, 6oC.

Today’s walk is a relatively easy ascent of Cold Pike and Pike O’ Blisco from the Three Shire Stone at the top of Wrynose Pass between Coniston and Langdale. Unfortunately, the sunshine and clarity of yesterday are gone again today but there were still great views over to the Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell and across Wrynose to the Coniston fells; the snow is still lingering on the higher tops.

Cold Pike route map.

3D image of the walk route.

The Three Shire Stone. It marks the old county boundaries of Lancashire, Westmorland and Cumberland.

Looking down Wrynose to Harter Fell.

Wet Side Edge and Grey Friar from the ascent to Cold Pike.

Pike O' Blisco from Cold Pike.

Across Red Tarn to the Coniston fells.

Bow Fell from Pike O' Blisco, the deep chasm of Hell Gill below.

The Coniston Fells from Pike O' Blisco.

A windswept Angus on Pike O' Blisco.

Looking across the Langdale Valley to the Langdale Pikes with a snowy Helvellyn beyond.

Cold Pike and Little Stand from Pike O' Blisco.

Upper Eskdale Round

Walked on 15/04/2005

Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)

Hardknott Pass – Border End (326) – Hard Knott (327) – Eskdale Needle – Yew Bank (328) – Throstlehow Crag (329) –Scar Lathing (330) – High Scarth (331) – Silverybield (332) – Scale Bridge – Taw House – Brotherilkeld – Hardknott Castle Roman Fort – Hardknott Pass

Distance: 9.7 miles Total Ascent: 1940 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 35 minutes

Weather: Snow, rain, sleet, wind! 5oC.

Today’s walk is a round of Upper Eskdale, one of the wildest and best valleys in the Lake District. At the head of Eskdale lie the ‘heads of state’ of English mountains, namely Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, Esk Pike and Bow Fell and this area offers some of the finest views anywhere.

Once again, it seems winter has returned with snow showers present throughout the walk and fresh snow on top of the high fells.

Upper Eskdale route map.

Approaching Hard Knott. The many electric fences in this area (one can be seen to the right) certainly made Angus squeak when he 'got it wrong'.

Harter Fell through a snow storm from the summit of Hard Knott.

The Eskdale Needle from the south.

The Eskdale Needle.

It was very windy on the summit of Yew Bank!

Across Lingcove Beck - the wall runs up to Throstlehow Crag, the next port of call with Scar Lathing the crag to the right. In the background are the Sca Fells complete with fresh snow.

Esk Pike and Bow Fell in cloud.

Looking along Eskdale to Harter Fell from Throstlehow Crag. Can you spot the Eskdale Needle?

Upper Eskdale - Panorama3_annotated_small

The view across Great Moss from Scar Lathing.

Crossing the River Esk.

Great Moss.

Slight Side from High Scarth.

Slight Side and High Scarth from Silverybield.

The impressive Yew Crags on the east face of Border End.

Scale Gill waterfall.

Brotherilkeld Farm.

Mediobogdum - Hardknott Roman Fort. The fort walls are to the left and to the right is the parade ground.

Muncaster Fell

Walked on 14/04/2005

Start point: Muncaster Castle car park (SD 097 967)

Muncaster Fell (Hooker Crag) (OF) from Muncaster Castle

Distance: 7.25 miles Total Ascent: 388 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 25 minutes

Weather: Rain, 7oC.

This morning’s walk was up to Muncaster Fell, a long fell with a lowly height which lies between Miterdale and Eskdale. It made a pleasant, if boggy, traverse and also marked the return to fell walking of Calston Midnight Serenade (better known as Angus!).

This walk follows Wainwright’s Muncaster Fell chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 186.

Muncaster Fell route map.

Fell Lane walking towards Muncaster Tarn.

Muncaster Tarn.

Heading for Hooker Crag.

Hooker Crag, the summit of Muncaster Fell.

Good to be back!

The Sca Fells ahead in cloud with Whin Rigg and Illgill Head to the left from Ross's Camp, a Victorian curiosity - a dining table for a shooting party...

...and the inscription on the top.

The Lower Eskdale valley from Ross's Camp.

A distant Harter Fell.

Muncaster Castle. John Ruskin described it as 'the gateway to Paradise'.

Fairfield

Walked on 12/04/2005

Start point: Cow Bridge, Hartsop (NY 403 134)

Cow Bridge – Gale Crag (322) – Hartsop Above How (323) – Hart Crag – Fairfield – Cofa Pike – Saint Sunday Crag –Gavel Pike – Birks (324) – Arnison Crag (325) – Cow Bridge

Distance: 9.7 miles Total Ascent: 1385 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Sunny with a strong breeze. 8oC in the valley rising to 12oC. Icy cold on the tops.

I had a great high level ridge walk today along the Hartsop above How ridge, up to Hart Crag and Fairfield and then back down along the Saint Sunday ridge. It was a pleasant surprise to see the sunshine, but it was deceptively cold on the tops with a bitter wind blowing. With hindsight I would have been better off starting and finishing at Deepdale Bridge and walking the full Hartsop above How ridge.

Fairfield route map.

Elevation profile of the route.

3D image of the walk route.

Caudale Moor, Kirkstone Pass and Red Screes in early sunlight from the steep ascent to the Hartsop Above How ridge.

Hartsop Dodd over Brothers Water. To the left are Gray Crag and High Street.

Place Fell from Gale Crag summit. Great Mell Fell can be seen to the left.

The view along the ridge from the summit of Hartsop above How.

Dove Crag.

Looking back along Hartsop above How from Hart Crag.

The view from Rydal Head. Windermere, Esthwaite Water and Coniston Water are all visible.

Fairfield summit.

Cofa Pike to the left and Saint Sunday Crag.

Grisedale Tarn and the Dollywagon Pike - Nethermost Pike - Helvellyn ridge.

Striding Edge and Helvellyn from Saint Sunday Crag. The peak of Catstycam is to the right, then Raise and the Dodd's.

Gavel Pike and Saint Sunday Crag from Birks.

Ullswater from Arnison Crag.

Arnison Crag.

Latrigg

Walked on 11/04/2005

Start point: Gale Road End (NY 281 253)

Latrigg (321) from Gale Road

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 90 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes

Weather: Overcast, but brightening 12oC.

Another easy walk this lunchtime for me and Connie up to another family favourite, Latrigg. It was quite warm but there was a strong, cool breeze on the top.

Latrigg route map.

Nothing to do with Latrigg the first two photo's, this inversion on Black Combe was taking place as I was walking Angus early this morning, and the Scafells...

Lonscale Fell from the start of the walk to Latrigg.

Skiddaw from the ascent.

It's windy up here! Connie on the summit of Latrigg.

The Vale of Keswick from Latrigg.

Keswick and Derwent Water from Latrigg.

Great Mell Fell

Walked on 07/04/2005

Start point: Brownrigg Farm (NY 407 247)

Great Mell Fell (320) from Brownrigg Farm

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 250 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: A mixed bag, sunny with a fierce hailstorm at the end. The temperature was 8oC when we set off, 4oC when we got back to the car dropping to 2oC and then back up to 11oC on the way home!

The sun started shining by the time we reached Ullswater at lunchtime. We stopped off near Glencoyne Bridge to see Wordsworth’s daffodils before ascending Great Mell Fell, that great pudding basin, in the sunshine. We had good views from the top with plenty of snow visible on the higher fells. On the way down we could see a band of hailstones coming from the east which caught us just before we got to the car. Great Mell Fell and all views were completely obliterated when the storm reached us.

Great Mell Fell route map.

On the way past Ullswater, we stopped off near Glencoyne Bridge to admire Wordsworth's daffodils.

An extra treat for Connie - a lamb less than an hour old.

Blencathra.

Blencathra from the summit of Great Mell Fell.

The Vale of Keswick.

Great Mell Fell - Panorama2_small_annotated_1

The south westerly view from Great Mell Fell.

The High Street ridge from Great Mell Fell.

Little Mell Fell.

Black Fell

Walked on 05/04/2005

Start point: Glen Mary Bridge, Yewdale (NY 321 999)

Glen Mary Bridge – Tarn Hows – Black Crag on Black Fell – Tarn Hows – Glen Mary Bridge

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Cloudy with showers, 9oC.

It was a bit grim this morning, so we decided on an outing to the popular tourist destination of Tarn Hows. Connie was in good spirits so we extended it to take in Black Fell, a great achievement for a 4 year old. Back at the ranch, Angus continues his recuperation and looked longingly as we left..

Black Fell route map.

Tom Gill waterfall.

The Tarns, Tarn Hows.

Well done Connie! Black Fell summit, Black Crag - her first 'proper' mountain and first Wainwright!

Ambleside and the full length of Windermere.

Coniston Water and Tarn Hows from Black Fell.

Wetherlam.

Looking to Dunmail Raise. The snow has returned to the tops of Dollywagon Pike and Fairfield to the right of Dunmail Raise and it's an icy cold wind on the top of Black Fell.

The Langdale Pikes, Lingmoor Fell in the foreground.

All that walking deserved a special treat - chocolate cake and blackcurrant juice in the tea room at Yew Tree Farm - yum!

Beacon Fell

Walked on 04/04/2005

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: 1 hour 20 minutes

Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells, 12oC.

As the sun was shining this afternoon, I thought it worth a visit up to Beacon Fell at the Southern end of Coniston Water. Angus is out of action for a little while as he had an operation on his leg today.

There are unrivalled views of the Coniston Fells from here and as Wainwright said, ‘Beacon Fell ranks amongst the most delectable of the lesser heights of Lakeland.’

This walk follows Wainwright’s Beacon Fell chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 98.

Coniston Water (formerly Thurstonmere) from Beacon Fell "A grove there is whose boughs Stretch from the western marge of Thurstonmere With length of shade so thick, that whoso glides Along the line of low-roofed water, moves As in a cloister." William Wordsworth - The Prelude, 1888

The Coniston fells from Beacon Fell.

The Dunnerdale Fells and Caw from Beacon Fell.

Beacon Tarn.

The Old Man of Coniston and Wetherlam across an un-named tarn on the path that is part of 'The Cumbria Way' from Ulverston to Carlisle.

Waterfall, Blawith Fell.

Brant Fell

Walked on 01/04/2005

Start point: Brantfell Road, Bowness-on-Windermere (SD 406 967)

Bowness-on-Windermere – Post Knott – Brant Fell (OF) – Bowness-on-Windermere

Distance: 1.2 miles Total Ascent: 110 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Grey with drizzle, 11oC.

It was a damp and dreary day today, but still nice to get away from the crowds in Bowness up to Brant Fell after a half-term visit to ‘The World of Beatrix Potter’; the fresh air more than made up for the lack of views.

This walk follows Wainwright’s Brant Fell chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 34.

Brant Fell route map.

The start of the path to Brant Fell is also the start of the Dalesway between Ilkley and Bowness. That was the last time we saw the dog lead, so if you find it up there..

The lower reaches of Windermere from Brant Fell.

Orrest Head and Windermere through the murk.

A quick swim.

Brant Fell.

Hesk Fell

Walked on 29/03/2005

Start point: Woodend Bridge on the Birker Fell road. (SD 179 963)

Woodend Bridge, Birker Fell road – Hesk Fell (OF) – The Pike (OF) – Woodend Bridge, Birker Fell road

Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 392 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Hazy and overcast, 11oC.

Now that is BST, I had a late evening walk up to Hesk Fell, which is a featureless pudding basin between the Duddon and Esk valleys, and then to The Pike which is more interesting due to the views of the Duddon Valley lying steeply below.

This walk is the one described in Wainwright’s Hesk Fell chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 140 with the addition of lots of electric fences!

Hesk Fell route map.

Elevation profile of the route.

3D image of the walk route.

Green Crag and Harter Fell from the ascent of Hesk Fell.

Devoke Water.

Black Combe, Buck Barrow and Whitfell from Hesk Fell summit.

The Pike.

Looking back to Hesk Fell from The Pike.

'The Grand National' on The Pike summit.

Looking along the Duddon Valley to the Duddon Estuary from The Pike.

A few fells that have been mentioned in recent walks.

Caw and Stickle Pike along Crosby Gill.

Woodend Bridge, the Scafells in the distance.

Hampsfell

Walked on 29/03/2005

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: Warm and sunny, 11°C.

Lying between Grange-over-Sands and Cartmel, Hampsfell is an elevated ridge of Limestone overlooking the Kent Estuary and Morecambe Bay. It was an easy and pleasant stroll this morning in the sunshine from the Grange Fell road up to the crowning glory on the summit – a tower called The Hospice.

Hampsfell is described in Wainwright’s Hampsfell chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 58.

Morecambe Bay from the ascent to Hampsfell.

Angus and Connie at the beacon on Fell End.

Looking down to Cartmel.

Limestone pavement on Hampsfell.

The approach to Hampsfell with The Hospice in view.

The Hospice, provided for "the shelter and entertainment of travellers over the fell".

One of the poetry panels inside The Hospice.

The Kent Estuary.

Walney Island

Walked on 28/03/2005

Weather: Overcast, warm with some sunny spells, 13oC.

Golden sands, mountain views, far from the madding crowds….sounds idyllic and it was on this remote northern tip of Walney Island, just off Barrow-in-Furness where we ventured for a relaxed family outing.

Sea dog!

The beautiful Walney shoreline.

Across the golden sands with the tide advancing. There are great views to Black Combe across Duddon Sands.

The view. On a clearer day, all the western fells are in view from here including the Scafells and Coniston.

Disturbing the Oyster Catchers.

North End Haws, the northern tip of Walney Island.

Surf's up.

The Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 25/03/2005

Start point: Stonestar (SD 202 912)

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

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 502 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 35 minutes

Weather: Warm, becoming sunny at the end of the walk, 13oC.

We had a walk around the Dunnerdale Fells starting from Stonestar on the Duddon Valley road this warm afternoon. This is a lovely and quiet area – hard to find on a Good Friday afternoon I think! It also took in Stickle Pike and Stickle Tarn, the area we walked on Wednesday from the Lickle Valley side.

The walk was a hybrid of two Wainwright Outlying Fell walks. Stickle Pike is described in Wainwright’s Stickle Pike chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 126 and The Dunnerdale Fells are described in the Dunnerdale Fells chapter on page 132.