Walla Crag

Walked on 01/09/2015

Start point: Love the Lakes, Keswick (NY 266 233)

Love the Lakes, Keswick – Springs Road – Springs Wood – Rakefoot – Walla Crag – Derwent Water – Love the Lakes, Keswick

Distance: 4.9 miles Total Ascent: 322 metres Time Taken: 2 hours Start Time: 10:00

Weather: Overcast but warm. 17°C

Today I took the opportunity for a relatively quick walk from Keswick (in between shop stock deliveries!) up to Walla Crag. Although dull to start with, the weather was ever improving throughout the walk. This walk will feature in a future edition of Trail magazine.

A lovely view across Windermere on the way to Keswick.

Blencathra from the climb to Walla Crag.

Skiddaw and Keswick from the plateau.

Lots of heather in bloom.

Looking towards Bassenthwaite Lake.

Dougal and Fletcher in the Ling.

Derwent Water.

Two youngsters try and work out the fells in view.

Bleaberry Fell clad in purple.

The Cat Gill descent.

Catbells.

The Millennium Stone.

Fletcher works out how he can get the two halves together.

Friar's Crag.

Clearing skies.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 17/08/2015

Start Point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes Start Time: 17:00

Weather: Warm and sunny. 18°C

Time for a late afternoon walk up to Brock Barrow after a fabulous day of sunny weather – there are great views from up there on a day such as this.

Peek-a-boo in the high bracken, Brock Barrow ahead.

...and again on the ascent.

Looking across allan Tarn at the southern end of Coniston Water.

Fletcher - feeling in the pink.

The Coniston fells from the summit cairn.

A panorama of the Coniston fells.

Brothers in arms - Dougal and Fletcher.

It\'s a beautiful evening.

The view from the secondary summit.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 03/08/2015

Start Point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 13:30

Weather: Warm but overcast. 17°C

I went with Connie and the dogs to check out our old favourite Beacon Fell – the treasure tin is still there in the cairn which was good to see. I was surprised there was no one else around up there today, the lower fells always appeal more during the school holidays. As ever, the sun came out as we reached the car at the end…

All is green - and grey - looking to the Coniston fells.

Dougal and Fletcher climb the gully.

Looking back down the gully to Coniston Water.

The same view from a little higher up.

Dougal, Fletcher and Connie on Beacon Fell. The treasure tin was still in situ!

The Coniston fells from Beacon Fell.

Coniston Water.

A panorama from the summit.

The swimmers in Beacon Tarn.

The Fletching.

The Old Man and Wetherlam.

Loweswater Fells

Walked on 09/07/2015

Start point: Maggie’s Bridge, Loweswater (NY 134 210)

Maggie’s Bridge – High Nook Farm – High Nook on Gavel Fell – Gavel Fell – Blake Fell – Burnbank Fell – Holme Wood – Watergate Farm – Maggie’s Bridge

Distance: 6.2 miles Total Ascent: 600 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 08:15

Weather: Sunny and warm. 10C

What a fantastic summer’s day for a walk over the Loweswater fells – the sun was shining, the birds were singing (the dogs were barking!) – I really enjoyed this one. It was such a great early morning I called in at a few well known beauty spots for one or two photos…

Early morning down at Derwent Water.

A panorama across calm waters.

A seat with a view at Friar's Crag.

The view from Friar's Crag.

Catbells.

The jaws of Borrowdale (with incoming duck!).

Ashness Jetty.

Skiddaw.

Asheness Jetty portrait.

Ashness Bridge.

Surprise View.

Buttermere.

The Buttermere Pines.

The Loweswater Fells route map.

Gavel Fell ahead from the track to High Nook Farm.

Climbing above High Nook Tarn.

Looking back to Low Fell across Loweswater.

Big cloud over Grasmoor and Whiteside, Mellbreak on the near right.

High over High Nook Tarn.

Dougal has found the nearest available bog to cool down!

The subsidiary summit of High Nook on Gavel Fell.

Gavel Fell summit.

Fletcher and Dougal enjoying the sunshine.

Heading for Blake Fell.

A fine view to Grasmoor from Blake Fell.

Knock Murton and Cogra Moss from Blake Fell.

Criffel across the Solway Firth.

Burnbank Fell summit.

The fantastic terrace path above Loweswater.

Loweswater panorama.

A seat with a view #2.

2016 Calendar cover - coming soon.

Dougal has found a good use for it!

Holme Force.

A peek through the trees at the upper section.

Back down at Loweswater shore.

The Dodds

Walked on 23/06/2015

Start Point: Dockray (NY 393 215)

Dockray – High Row – Randerside – Great Dodd – Watson’s Dodd – Stybarrow Dodd – White Stones on Green Side – Hart Side – Birkett Fell – Brown Hills – Swineside Knott – Watermillock Common – Common Fell – Dockray

Distance: 10.3 miles Total Ascent: 732 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 10:00

Weather: Warm and hazy. 19°C

It’s not so long ago that I did this walk (back in January) but I wanted to have another walk around to check notes as this will be a featured walk soon in Trail magazine. It was really quite warm today, shorts and t-shirt all the way.

The Dodds Route Map

On the 11th June, there was a celeb visit to Love the Lakes, Keswick. Chemmy Alcott, Olympic skier, is the brand ambassador for The Lakes Distillery and was on a promotional visit to our shop. She seemed to get on well with Dougal and Fletcher!

Sing Fletcher. sing!

Promo shot - Chemmy, Louise and Katie (Lakes Distillery). If you like a drop of gin this is highly recommended!

Later that day at Bassenthwaite it was absolutely boiling so the boys were keen to get in for a dip. On with the walk...

Climbing the road out of Dockray.

Looking across to today's target.

Sheep spotting.

Great Dodd from Randerside.

A hazy view to Keswick from Great Dodd summit.

Heading for Watson's Dodd to the right then Stybarrow Dodd to the left.

Looking back to Great Dodd from Watson's Dodd.

Who's the King of the Castle on Watson's Dodd summit?

Watson's and Great from the climb to Stybarrow (Dodd!)

On Stybarrow Dodd, Catstycam and Helvellyn in the distance.

On Hart Side looking to White Stones on the left and Stybarrow Dodd to the right.

The proud cairn on Birkett Fell looking to Ullswater.

A panoramic view of Ullswater from Brown Hills.

When push comes to shove!

Looking to Patterdale and the head of Ullswater.

Birks

Walked on 09/06/2015

Start point: Patterdale (NY 394 160)

Patterdale – Thornhow End – Black Crag – Birks – Trough Head – Arnison Crag – Patterdale Hotel – Patterdale

Distance: 3.7 miles Total Ascent: 515 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 10.30

Weather: Changeable but dry. 7ºC

The weather turned out to be one of the poorer days in the middle of a stunning week this week…but you have to take your opportunities when you can so that’s what we did when we had a short walk up to two of the smaller fells at the head of Ullswater.

Birks Route Map

A brief glimmer of sunshine at the start of the walk looking to Thornhow End.

Walking through the sylvan landscape.

Looking back to Ullswater and Place fell.

St. Sunday ahead.

It's all tongues for Fletcher and Dougal.

The summit of Birks.

There is a great view across to the Far Eastern fells descending to Trough Head from Birks. Here we found a bright red tennis ball sized ball - Fletcher must have gone up and down 20 times chasing it.

The approach to Arnison Crag.

The summit of Arnison Crag.

The descent to Patterdale.

Red Screes

Walked on 27/05/2015

Start point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 1.4 miles Total Ascent: 330 metres Time Taken: 35 minutes Start Time: 10:50

Weather: Dull and cool, 14°C

Time for a quick walk this morning but the weather was not too kind…or too summery at all this morning!

Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass.

On the summit of Red Screes - 20 minutes to get here according to the camera.

Fletcher and Dougal enjoying the run out.

The summit tarn.

Looking down on the Kirkstone Pass Inn.

The steep way down - and a glimpse of Windermere.

Orrest Head

Walked on 24/05/2015

Start point: Windermere (SD 414 987)

Orrest Head (OF) from Windermere

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 105 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Warm. 18ºC

Time for a quick jaunt up to Orrest Head before lunch, ascending the back way is much better than via the usual signposted path – it was a very pleasant wander on an early summer day.

A view along Windermere from Fell Foot, taken on 13th May.

Looking across the rooftops of Windermere on the way to Orrest Head.

A similar view from higher up.

Bluebells in the wood.

Looking to the high fells from the viewpoint indicator.

The Far Eastern fells.

A fabulous view along Windermere.

Tongues out! These boys are telling you it is warm today.

Middle Fell

Walked on 01/05/2015

Start Point: Greendale (NY 144 056)

Greendale – Middle Fell – Greendale Tarn – Greendale Gill – Greendale

Distance: 2.8 miles Total ascent: 525 metres Time taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start time: 07:15

Weather: Lovely. 5°C

What a fabulous morning it was with really clear air and that ‘good to be alive’ feeling. We had time for a quick walk up to well trodden (by us) Middle Fell, the views from there of the Scafells and the head of Wasdale are simply fantastic.

Beautiful early light at Greendale.

Buckbarrow and Casper Gully.

The path and a straight up contrail.

Looking back down - the sky suddenly clouded over for a while from here.

A well earned drink on the climb. This pool always reminds me of Casper, a favourite watering hole of his.

Scafells silhouette.

...and from higher up, the sun lighting up Wast Water.

The summit of Middle Fell.

You may well be bigger than me you young pup but let's see your tongue!

Looking towards the West Cumbrian coast.

Haycock.

Down at Greendale Tarn.

Not quite warm enough for a swim today - the sunshine is deceptive as it was a cool wind.

The descent alongside Greendale Gill.

The classic view of Wasdale.

Middle Fell.

Blea Rigg via Whitegill Crag

Walked on 16/04/2015

Start point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll – Whitegill Crag (ravine) – Blea Rigg – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Thunacar Knott – Harrison Stickle – Pike Howe – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 6.4 miles Total Ascent: 778 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 15 minutes Start Time: 08:30

What a fantastic morning, the sky and light were excellent today and it was a great day to try out a scramble up to Blea Rigg using the Whitegill Crag ravine. If you like it steep and rough, then this is the way for you. Using this route I hardly saw a soul all morning (only from afar using the more popular paths) but I did bump into Striding Edge stalwarts Pat & Emrys on the way down – nice to see you both up there today.

Looking along Langdale from the path above Millbeck - what a beautiful and clear morning.

The way up today via the Whitegill Crag ravine. I'm not sure if the token on top of the rock has some significance!

Steep and rocky.

A wider view of Whitegill Crag.

Looking down, Lingmoor Fell across the valley.

The view from higher up...

...and from the top.

Looking across to the Langdales.

I had a bit of fun looking around for some of the items mentioned by Wainwright in the Blea Rigg chapter today - this is the sheepfold taken from 'small shelter on top of crag' (Blea Rigg 8).

...and this is the tarn a little further up on the map.

Blea Rigg summit.

The Shelter Stone on the top of Blea Rigg (Blea Rigg 12)

Codale and Easdale Tarns.

Looking in the opposite direction to the Langdale Pikes.

The miniature pool (Blea Rigg 11).

At least someone has found a use for it.

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn.

Sergeant Man from the east.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Sergeant Man.

A beautiful pool on High Raise.

Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake from High Raise.

Bowfell, the Scafells and Great Gable from High Raise.

Fletch and Dougal looking very regal with new haircuts.

Thunacar Knott.

Hello you two.

Windermere from Harrison Stickle.

Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn (and way beyond).

What a great view from Harrison Stickle looking in the opposite direction.

Lots of families around today which was great to see.

The view from Harrison Stickle - Crinkle Crags and Bowfell beyond Loft Crag and Pike o' Stickle.

Harrison Stickle from Pike Howe.

Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle seperated by Dungeon Ghyll.

Whitegill Crag (the lower peak). The path used at the start of the walk was below the Larch plantation.

The Langdale Pikes looking radiant.

Coniston (again!)

Walked on 07/04/2015

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Great How – Swirl Band – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 6.2 miles Total Ascent: 770 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 06:15

Weather: Bright, sunny and windy above the clouds. 7C

The same fells on a different day – the prediction was for a further temperature inversion to the south and west today, so where better than Coniston? I particularly wanted to see the sunrise across the inversion, always a special sight so I was glad I made the effort to get up early and witness this magical spectacle.

The Coniston Fells route map

This was the sunrise, it was a little disappointing at first as there were clouds below and above. I was surprised at how low the cloud was as I climbed above it just out of Coniston village.

That's better, as the sun shone through things certainly changed with this beautiful warm glow. The inversion clouds started to lift as it warmed, almost following me on the climb to The OId Man.

This was just fabulous to watch and it was an ever changing scene with the movement of the clouds and fog.

Wow!

I only took about 100 photos of the sunrise (!) so it has been hard to whittle them down to a handful.

The sun climbs higher and you can see the lifting cloud looking like crashing waves on the sea.

It is turning into a beautiful day now but conditions were different to yesterday. As it was earlier in the day it was a lot cooler but it was also surprisingly windy at the top...so it was jacket and gloves back on.

The view to the south west.

The Scafells from The Old Man.

Looking down on Low Water and Levers Water.

Looking across Brown Pike and Blind Tarn to Black Combe.

Coniston summit silhouette.

Dougal keeps an eye on proceedings.

I told you it was windy!

Dow Crag from Brim Fell.

Heading for Great How Crags and Swirl How across Levers Hawse

Glinting Levers Water.

Brim Fell and Dow Crag from Levers Hawse.

Old Man, Brim Fell and Dow Crag from Little How Crags.

Lingmoor Fell standing proud from Swirl How, Silver How and the vale of Grasmere beyond.

Greenburn and the Tilberthwaite Fells.

Taking a dip in Levers Water.

The Old Man and Raven Tor from the dam wall.

Brim Fell End marked the end of the clear air before the descent into the clouds.

On the edge of the lifting clouds.

Heading into Boulder Valley.

The cloud was beginning to lift further with the heat of the day and was pouring across Levers Water.

Time Lapse video of the inversion

Coniston

Walked on 06/04/2015

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 – Below Beck Fells – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.1 miles Total Ascent: 630 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 08:15

Weather: Bright, sunny and warm above the clouds. 10C

The predicted weather forecast turned out to be correct today – the low lying fog was due to stay put whilst up above there would be sunshine. It was fabulous day up there, really warm and a different world to that at valley level. I’m glad I made the effort to get up there as good weather hardly seems likely until we got there.

Coniston Old Man Route Map.

Climbing above the fog.

Wow, what a beautiful day!

A sea of cloud...

...as far as the eye can see.

Looking across The Cove to Dow Crag.

Brown Pike.

That's the Walna Scar Road below. It was really warm now - no jacket required!

Looking up the climb to The Old Man (find Dougal?).

Fab-u-lous.

A lone figure below gives some scale to the extent of the temperature inversion.

Black Combe and the Whit Fell group stand clear of the cloud beyond brown Pike.

Low Water and beyond.

All alone on the summit, not bad for a Bank Holiday Monday.

Looking across Coniston Village (below the cloud somewhere).

Fletcher and Dougal like to demonstrate how hot it is with their tongues!

Looking to the Scafells.

The Old Man of Coniston.

The trig. column.

The view to the south west.

Harter Fell.

Looking back to The Old Man from the ridge to Brim Fell.

Brim Fell ahead.

The Scafells from Brim Fell.

The Old Man from Brim Fell.

Green Crag and Harter Fell.

Skiddaw and Blencathra beyond Great Carrs and Swirl How.

The northern face of The Old Man from the descent of Brim Fell.

Wetherlam and the Black Sails ridge.

Levers Water.

Low Water.

The Old Man.

Looking down on the old mine works.

Beautiful colours in the sunshine.

Turquoise Low Water.

Low Water reflections.

Dougal and Fletch.

I think I know where the two boys will be heading shortly.

You guessed it!

Low Water panorama.

Heading back down the miners track.

I left the main path and walked through the workings where I picked up an old miners track which avoided the crowds. It was fantastic and din't look like anyone had used it for 100 years - one day I will take fix the fells up there and show them what a properly graded path looks like.

Walking the path kept me in the sunshine for a while longer too.

The distant view was to the Welsh mountains - the Glyders and Carneddau - almost 100 miles distant as the crow flies.

Come on boys, we are going in...

Blawith Knott

Walked on 03/04/2015

Start point: Woodland Fell road (SD 256 879)

Blawith Knott (OF) from the Woodland Fell road

Start Time: 16:30 Weather: Sunny spells. 7C

There was a chance of a quick walk with the boys to Blawith Knott on this Good Friday afternoon, thankfully the weather cleared a little after a completely miserable day. Although still quite overcast, there was the odd glimmer light…

Black Combe from Giant's Grave.

Brighter skies over Millom.

Dougal and Fletcher.

A hole in the sky.

Dark and brooding sky looking across to the Coniston fells.

Snuggling up on the summit.

Blawith Knott.

Piercing shafts of light.

The Duddon Estuary.

Gummer’s How

Walked on 01/04/2015

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: 20 minutes Start Time: 15:00

Weather: Very windy, 5°C

It was pretty windy today even at valley level, of course this was even worse higher up (which I was expecting) but I took the dogs up to Gummer’s How which is an easy walk at any time. Of course it turned into a quick sprint complete with snatched photos – at least the fresh air was refreshing!

Blue skies at the start of the walk, but they were fleeting...very fleeting!

Looking down on Lakeside and the foot of Windermere.

The wind was gale force now at the summit column of Gummer's How.

Snow, hail, sleet - we had it all!

I lost my face!

Hanging on for dear life - come on, run.

This was the 'view' on the way down.

Kirk Fell

Walked on 18/03/2015

Start point: Wasdale Head (NY 186 084)

Wasdale Head – Gavel Neese -Beck Head – North Top of Kirk Fell – Kirk Fell – Wasdale Head

Distance: 4.4 miles Total Ascent: 747 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 15 minutes

Weather: Sunny but hazy, warming nicely but cold on tops. 10C in valleys.

Today I ended up on a fell I hadn’t set out to climb – I had in mind to climb Great Gable but when I climbed to Beck Head I remembered that Kirk Fell was one of the ones that Dougal hasn’t yet done (there aren’t many!) so as it was so near I decided to go for it. The sun was quite warm at times but the views were hazy – can’t grumble though, I think winter is over now and we will soon be in shorts. I walked part of the way to the foot of Gavel Neese with StridingEdge fan John – a Lord no less!

Kirk Fell from the track past St Olaf's Church.

Great Gable, like a smoking gun!

It looks like she will erupt, taken from Gavel Neese.

Kirk Fell across Beck Head and Beachhead Tarn - here I changed my mind and decided to climb Kirk Fell.

Great Gable from the climb.

There were some lingering patches of snow, here on the North Top of Kirk Fell.

Looking across Kirkfell Tarn to the main summit.

Hazy Pillar.

Kirkfell Tarn was still frozen.

Sunny but hazy looking across to the Scafells.

Looking back to the North Top and Great Gable.

Great and Green beyond North.

Mono Scafells.

Close up on Gable.

Dougal and Fletcher on Kirk Fell.

The Mosedale fells, from Red Pike to Pillar.

Yes Dougal, that is the way down.

Mosedale.

Yewbarrow.

It's that fell again - Great Gable from the steep descent.

Blah!

Looking down on Wasdale Head.

Looking back up the steep, steep path.

Kirk Fell from the bottom.

The packhorse bridge at Wasdale Head.

Tarn Crag

Walked on 04/03/2015

Start point: Sadgill Bridge, Longsleddale (NY 483 057Sadgill Bridge, Longsleddale – Grey Crag(Longsleddale) – Tarn Crag (Longsleddale) – Brownhowe Bottom – Sadgill Bridge, Longsleddale

Distance: 5.8 miles Total Ascent: 767 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 20 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Cold with long sunny spells. 4&c;C

Today I had a meeting with Clive Hutchby who has edited Wainwright Book 1, The Eastern Fells (more of that below) so we decided on a walk on the Far Eastern Fells which is the book under revision at the moment. When we arrived at Sadgill the weather was looking very promising and stayed pleasingly wintry pretty much all of the way round apart from a couple of heavy hail showers. The snow ceratinly lit up the scenery today showing this area in its best light. The only downside to that was the deep snow hid the worst of the boggy bits so on the odd occasion we were past boot depth in snow and mud.

On Saturday 4th April the Eastern Fells will be launched in Keswick Love the Lakes with the same happening on Sunday 5th April at Love the Lakes Bowness on Windermere. We would love to see you there – Clive Hutchby will be signing and the furry fiends Fletcher and Dougal will both be in attendance. If you cannot make it, you can pre-order a signed copy complete with the launch weekend stamp (shown above the book in the photo) here

Tarn Crag Route Map

Looking good at the start of the day at Sadgill.

Longsleddale.

Looking across Sadgill and Longsleddale.

The easy gully - slippery today.

Climbing higher - looking back down the gully.

The head of Longsleddale from Great Howe.

The lights went out for a while and there was a sleety-haily shower.

Looking back to Great Howe as the clouds pass over.

Grey Crag ahead.

The view from the climb.

Shipman Knotts, Kentmere Pike and Harter Fell from the fence crossing.

The summit of Grey Crag.

looking back to Grey Crag from the climb to Tarn Crag. I managed to get a bootful of water on that bit!

Fletcher spots Lee (who we chatted to on the climb) heading for Tarn Crag. He just wants to round us all up!

The summit of Tarn Crag.

The survey column on Tarn Crag.

...and looking the other way.

Blazing a trail.

Kentmere Pike across Longsleddale.

Harter Fell.

Rough Crag and Kidsty Pike through the gap..

High and mighty - Fletcher and Dougal.

Kentmere Pike.

The rugged eastern face of Kentmere Pike.

Fabulous winter conditions on the fells, looking from Brownhowe Bottom.

Brownhowe Bottom, looking back along the path used in descent.

Back on the main track it was really warm now - a very Spring like 9C.

The view back into Longsleddale.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 02/03/2015

Start Point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes Start Time: 10:15

Weather: Heavy snow showers, 1°C

Everywhere I went this morning there were heavy snow showers with it settling on the roads in many places. I ended up deciding on a short walk to somewhere that was not too high given the wind strength down at valley level and ended up getting a pleasant surprise with the way the weather turned out. Given the earlier conditions I don’t think I could have asked for any more.

An open invitation to StridingEdge fans - what are you doing at Easter? It would be great to see you at the launch of the latest Wainwright book update.

I didn't hold out much hope for this short walk, this is what it was like most of the morning and it continued as I set off towards Brock Barrow.

Lo and behold - 5 minutes later the wind had blown away the snow shower and there was a blue sky up there!

The Crake Valley from the climb.

Near the top now and there is a wintry view to High Bethecar to the east.

At least I can almost see the snow clad Coniston fells from the top now.

Looking down on High Nibthwaite and Allan Tarn.

The two of them - ready to pounce.

The summit cairn.

Heading for the secondary summit, The Old Man and Wetherlam beyond.

Coniston Water.

Look into the eyes...

Yes, I can smile.

Looking across to Caw and leaden skies.

The eastern side of Coniston Water on the way down.

The Gormley statue is now imprisoned.

Beacon Fell from a full Coniston Water.

Haystacks

Walked on 04/02/2015

Start point: Gatesgarth (NY 195 150)

Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere – Warnscale Bottom – Haystacks – Scarth Gap – Scarth Gap Pass – Warnscale -Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere

Distance: 4.74 miles Total Ascent: 575 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 15 minutes Start Time: 10:15

Weather: Cold and mainly clear. 2°C

What a gorgeous morning it was today – the sunrise was perfect and I timed it just right to get some fantastic reflection shots on Derwent Water. After clicking away for a good while at different locations I went over to Buttermere for a climb to Haystacks. It was amazingly quiet, there wasn’t a soul around and I only passed one person on the descent – another great winter walk.

Skiddaw at dawn.

Ashness Jetty.

Looking across the jetty to Skiddaw.

Coledale fell reflected.

Derwent Water has a mirror finish today.

At the landings.

Catbells panorama.

A seat with a view. This one is in our shops on canvas now.

Catbells...again.

...and again. This one is in our shops on canvas now.

Buttermere reflections.

Haystacks.

High Crag and High Stile.

High Crag and High Stile at the start of the walk.

A room with a view - Warnscale Bothy.

Out of the climb and on to the path to Haystacks. Someone has turned the sun off and replaced with cloud.

Great Gable across Blackbeck Tarn.

Fleetwith Pike.

What's to do Fletcheroo?

Pillar across Innominate Tarn.

A panoramic view of Innominate Tarn.

Great Gable.

Climbing towards the summit.

The view from the summit of Haystacks.

Pensive Dougal.

High Crag from Haystacks.

The monarch of the glen.

The frozen summit tarn.

Pillar across Ennerdale.

Striations in the snow.

A gorgeous view of Seat and High Crag.

The path (!) on the way down.

Langdale Circuit

Walked on 02/02/2015

Start Point: New Dungeon Ghyll Car Park (NY 295 064)

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Harrison Stickle – Thunacar Knott – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Stickle Tarn – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 5.6 miles Total Ascent: 723 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 08:00

Weather: Cold with high cloud, 2°C

The Langdales were oh so cold today but it was great to be out in winter conditions again. The freeze thaw cycle had made some places quite treacherous, the path to Stickle Tarn was especially so and required spikes to safely climb. These were swapped for crampons to climb up to Harrison Stickle on the eastern face. Once on the tops there was an icy chill and surprisingly for this area I never saw a single soul until I was back to lower reaches.

Sunrise over Great Langdale.

Looking ahead up the climb to Stickle Tarn.

Looking down from higher up - the path was treacherous sheet ice, microspikes were required for the rest of the climb to Stickle Tarn.

Climbing higher.

Pavey Ark across frozen Stickle Tarn.

Winter sky.

Pavey Ark from the dam.

Heading for Harrison Stickle.

Stickle Tarn from the climb to Harrison.

Looking across to the western face of Pavey Ark.

The climb was icy.

The view to the east.

Nearly there.

Harrison Stickle.

Looking across Pike o' Stickle and Rossett Pike to the Scafells and Great Gable.

Bowfell and The Band.

The Coniston fells.

The view from Thunacar Knott.

Bowfell.

Langstrath from High Raise.

Distant Skiddaw and Blencathra.

The summit of High Raise.

Looking south.

Dougal checks which fells he has ticked off - all of them in this photo I think!

Esk Pike, Scafell Pike and Great End.

Sergeant Fletcher and Sergeant Dougal.

Sergeant Man.

The way down.

Inquisitive Fletcher.

Mono Pavey Ark.

Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark from the descent.

Looking back to Sergeant Man and the ridge descended. There is a touch of blue in the sky now.

Pavey Ark, Jack's Rake running diagonally right to left across the face.

Harrison Stickle and the route climbed.

The Langdale Pikes.

Blencathra via Hall’s Fell Ridge

Walked on 22/01/2015

Start Point: Threlkeld (NY 318 256)

Threlkeld – Hall’s Fell Ridge – Blencathra (Hallsfell Top – Gategill Top – Blease Fell) – Threlkeld

Distance: 4.8 miles Total Ascent: 734 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 10 minutes Start Time: 10:30

Weather: Cold and clear, 0°C

I really wanted to climb Blencathra in these conditions after I spotted it in the sunshine when passing the other afternoon. This was a day on the fell to remember and the sort that doesn’t come around too often. Wainwright said that the climb to Blencathra via Hall’s Fell Ridge is the finest way to any mountain top in the Lake District and I have to say I agree with him, especially on a day like today.

I couldn't resist this shot on my way past, the sunrise was looking so good over the Leven Estuary that I had to turn around and get this photo.

Likewise, I paid a visit to Derwent Water to see this sight - it was very cold but worth it for this view.

Following the wall above Threlkeld on the way to Hall's Fell.

Looking across to Clough Head.

Hall's fell ahead, the path can just about be made out snaking up the fell.

Crossing Gate Gill.

Knott Halloo on Gategill Fell from the climb.

The skies were a changing as I climbed. Looking across to Great Gable in the distance (towards the right of the photo) it looked as though there was a cloud inversion.