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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
Not a fell walk on this warm and sunny afternoon but a lovely stroll around the ruins of Furness Abbey. Set in the Vale of Deadly Nightshade, the abbey was founded in 1123 by Stephen, Count of Blois, later King Stephen. It has long been perceived as a very romantic building, Wordsworth visited the abbey on several occasions and referred to it in his Prelude of 1805….
For any cautious man, a Structure famed
Beyond its neighbourhood, the antique Walls
Of that large Abbey which within the vale
Of Nightshade, to St. Mary’s honour built,
Stands yet, a mouldering Pile, with fractured Arch,
Belfry, and Images, and living Trees….
As it was a bit brighter this afternoon, we had another short walk up to Stickle Pike above Broughton Mills. We were joined by Connie after she was sprung from school for Easter at lunchtime – much better than sitting in a classroom I think!
Stickle Pike is described in Wainwright’s Stickle Pike chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 126.
Today’s walk visits the little frequented Woodland Valley which lies between the Duddon Estuary and Coniston. It was grey and overcast with no views to the high fells; at least the temperature is getting warmer – it felt like Spring today.
This walk follows the one described in Wainwright’s Blawith Knott chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 108.
We had a walk following in Wordsworth’s footsteps today, up to that family favourite Loughrigg Fell. The clouds hung over the higher fells today whilst Loughrigg retained relative clarity. This walk was good for a swim (for some!) if not for views…
New Dungeon Ghyll – Thorn Crag – Loft Crag – Pike O’Stickle – Thunacar Knott – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Pavey Ark – Harrison Stickle – New Dungeon Ghyll [8.2 miles, 1017m ascent]
The day started off brightly for today’s long Kentmere Horseshoe walk with the grey clouds gathering by lunchtime and taking the edge off the fine views. There is still plenty of snow on the tops although it was warmer than of late. This is a fine round with great views in all directions.
There was a mixed bag of weather this morning for the gentle walk from Boot in Eskdale, out to Burnmoor Tarn for a view of the high fells, and back to Boot via Boat How. There were frequent snow showers with plenty of snow in evidence above 500m.
This walk follows the one described in Wainwright’s Boat How chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 178.
The sun was shining on the Coniston fells this morning so I couldn’t resist another snowy walk up to The Old Man. We were the first up that way this morning and blazed a trail through the newly fallen snow; a great feeling.
