Beacon Fell

Walked on 26/06/2014

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: 50 minutes Start Time: 09:30

Weather: Grey. 15°C

It was completely different weather today to that of Monday – gone was the lovely sunshine to be replaced with general murk and dreariness. Early on it was drizzling too but that soon cleared as we headed up to Beacon Fell for a bit of fresh air.

Parkamoor Jetty (in the drizzle) looking across to Beacon Fell.

Side view of the jetty.

Beacon Fell ahead as Dougal negotiates the long grass and bracken.

Climbing the gully to the top.

Coniston Water from Beacon Fell. The treasure tin is still there.

Dougal in a thoughtful pose.

Descending to Beacon Tarn, Wool Knott at the head of it.

Walking on water.

The only view of the Coniston fells this morning through the grey murkiness.

Yewbarrow

Walked on 23/06/2014

Start Point: Overbeck Bridge (NY 168 068)

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

Distance: 3.9 miles Total Ascent: 580 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 08:30

Weather: Boiling, 21°C

Summer is here in a big way and today it was really warm early on and beautiful conditions for a walk up to Yewbarrow. Today I took out my new camera for the first time to give it a whirl, hopefully I can do it justice when I get used to it (it is a Nikon D610 with a 24-85 lens for those that are interested in such things).

Early morning in Wasdale.

Looking up to Bell Rib on the south end of Yewbarrow.

Great Door.

Looking over to Seatallan (yours truly, bottom!).

The Scafells.

Walking the ridge along Yewbarrow, Red Pike to the left.

Stalwart of the fells in classic pose.

Looking down on Wast Water and The Screes.

Burnmoor Tarn.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable from Yewbarrow summit.

Swirling skies.

Dougal was tripping over his tongue in this heat.

Pillar across Dore Head.

Red Pike and Pillar from the north top.

Kirk Fell.

Dougal checks the way down Stirrup Crag - the simple answer is...it is straight down.

Looking back up from the bottom.

Pillar from Dore Head.

Middle Fell from Over Beck.

Looking back on the descent.

Portrait of Dougal.

Dropping Crag and Bell Rib on the return.

The Scafells in full sunshine now.

A final view of Yewbarrow.

Scafell Pike via Pen

Walked on 11/06/2014

Start Point: Jubilee Bridge (NY 213 011)

Brotherilkeld Farm – Lingcove Bridge – Great Moss – Pen – Scafell Pike – Mickledore – Lord’s Rake – Scafell – Slight Side – Catcove Beck – Brotherilkeld Farm

Distance: 10 miles Total Ascent: 1178 metres Time Taken: 7 hours Start Time: 10:50

Weather: Murky, 16°C

I had a full day available today so I wanted to do a good long walk – I did think the weather would turn out better than it did but it was still good to be out and walking in mist has its own merits of complete solitude, even on the popular fells such as this.

Heading into Upper Eskdale and the mist was lying quite low on the fells. I was hopeful of it getting out later.

Walking alongside the River Esk. This is a lovely and peaceful part of the lakes in any weather.

Cascades on the Esk.

Lingcove Bridge.

...and a view of the bridge from a little higher up the path to Great Moss.

On the climb to Pen - the briefest glimpse of Scafell.

Esk Buttress - and that was it for views for a good while. I climbed the steep path to Pen (the top took a bit of finding as I could hardly see my hand in front of me!) then over to Scafell Pike.

Heading down to Mickledore.

Looking back to Scafell Pike - the blue sky did appear (if only fleetingly).

Pulpit Rock from the foot of Lord's Rake. I was surprised to see how much the path from Mickledore to Lord's Rake has eroded recently.

Lord's Rake.

The chock stone is still standing although there seems to be more large boulders around it. Up on Scafell it was as misty as it was on the Pike - I chatted for a while to a couple who were completing their 214 up there, congratulations to both.

Dougal, my ever faithful friend.

Looking back to Scafell from Long Green. There were lots of Brocken Spectres to see along here with the sun trying to shine through.

Slight Side summit.

Slight Side from the descent.

Amazing how I can see Pen from here yet couldn't earlier when I was stood next to it!

Slight Side again, from further down.

I spy!

Harter Fell across Brotherilkeld and it turned into a lovely evening.

Raven Crag

Walked on 16/05/2014

Start Point: Thirlmere (NY 307 190)

Raven Crag from Thirlmere

Distance: 1.2 miles Total Ascent: 255 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 17:30

Weather: Warm with sunny spells, 18°C

On to the second walk of the day up Raven Crag and the sun was shining over Thirlmere when I got there to make conditions just about perfect.

Watson's Dodd above the tree tops.

Skiddaw, resplendent in the evening sunshine - from the final section of the climb to Raven Crag.

Looking down on Thirlmere and across to the Dodds.

Dougal on a lofty perch.

Helvellyn across Thirlmere.

That completes my fourth recorded round of the Wainwright's so time for a celebratory selfie!

Blencathra across High Rigg.

A panorama of the two giants, The Benn in the foreground.

Handy of someone to drag this sign up to the summit so I know where I am now.

Beda Fell

Walked on 16/05/2014

Start Point: Martindale Old Church (NY 434 184)

Beda Fell from Martindale

Distance: 2.4 miles Total Ascent: 346 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 15:30

Weather: Warm with sunny spells. 18oC

Today I was due to have a short walk to complete a round of the Wainwright’s…until I double checked and realised I actually had two to complete, unfortunately not in the same vicinity. The first one to visit was Beda Fell before a drive round to Raven Crag.

Beda Fell from Christy Bridge.

Howegrain Beck.

Looking back towards Hallin Fell from the ascent.

Ullswater from Beda Fell.

The Mell Fells through the gap.

Beda Head, the summit of Beda Fell.

Dougal puts his best foot forward.

The Nab in mono.

A panorama of the High Street ridge.

On the descent.

Illgill Head

Walked on 13/05/2014

Start Point: Miterdale (NY 146 011)

Miterdale – Irton Fell – Whin Rigg – Illgill Head – Robin Gill – Miterdale

Distance: 8.7 miles Total Ascent: 728 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Overcast, clearing slowly, 15°C

Today’s walk was across the top of ‘The Screes’ over Whin Rigg and Illgill Head. There are great views from the edge of the screes across Wasdale but the valley walk on the return leg isn’t that great, it being very enclosed and the way I went was quite boggy. All the better for testing new boots then…

Han Wag Tatra's from Alex at The Keswick Boot Company (opposite Love the Lakes in Keswick). Top service from the main man - I will report back on their performance after a bit of use.

Fletcher will be with us soon, here he is playing with his sister (the brown one). He already looks full of mischief!

Sign at the start of the walk. The answer to the question is 'lots' by the look of it...

Miterdale Forest from the Irton Fell ridge. Lots of tree felling here, the photo below shows how it was in 2011 with the trees to the right of the photo. The photo above was taken at the middle point of the three tree sections.

Miterdale Forest in 2011

Whin Rigg from Irton Fell.

Greathall Gill.

Looking back to Muncaster Fell and the Ravenglass Estuary.

Whin Rigg.

Seatallan and Middle Fell across Wast Water.

Great Gully on Whin Rigg.

Standing on the edge.

A panorama of the way ahead.

Dougal decides the best way to get to the tarns with the clear path leading to Illgill Head.

Looking back to Whin Rigg, the mist swirling on and off the ridge.

Middle Fell.

Red Pike, Pillar, Yewbarrow, Kirk Fell and Great Gable all in view now.

Illgill Head summit.

Mono Wasdale.

Yewbarrow.

Dougal the sheep spotter.

Burnmoor Tarn, Eskdale Fell beyond. I descended via Robin Gill which turned out not to be the best way with hindsight - it is easier to descend to the east of Tongue Moor.

Crossing Little Grain Gill.

Looking back along Robin Gill.

This place will look different in a year or two with the amount of trees planted.

All around were carpets of Bluebells, a lovely sight.

Selside Pike

Walked on 29/04/2014

Start Point: Roadside parking near the head of Haweswater (NY 479 119)

Mardale – Old Corpse Road – Selside Pike – Captain Whelter Bog – High Howes (Mardale) – Artle Crag – Branstree – North Ridge – Hollow Stone – Mardale

Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 506 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 08:20

Weather: Sunny and warm, 17°C

What a gorgeous day it turned out to be today – there was an early mist but once the sun burned through it was really warm so I was down to shirt sleeves and it really did feel like a summer’s day. It was just about perfect and the sort of day I have been dreaming about for the last 12 months!

A misty start to the day over Haweswater.

The mist was quickly burning off as the sun rose higher.

Panorama from the start of the climb of the Old Corpse Road.

Haweswater.

Looking back along the Old Corpse Road - the nearest ridge is the one used in descent.

Selside Pike summit.

Descending from Selside Pike - High Howes is straight ahead and Branstree central.

Looking back to Selside Pike.

Nothing to see on High Howes apart from two old grey monuments.

Passing between the two small tarns with the survey pillar central.

Haweswater Aqueduct survey pillar.

Looking back to Selside Pike and High Howes from Artle Crag - you can see the survey pillar and one of the small tarns centre right.

One of the cairns on Artle Crag.

Dougal puts the thoughtfully provided Branstree drinking bowl to good use.

The summit of Branstree - nothing much to see here either!

High Street and Blea Water.

The impressive north eastern face of Harter Fell.

Surveying the scene.

Dougal loving the warm sunshine.

A panorama from Branstree.

Haweswater.

Giant eagle shadow over Riggindale?

Rough Crag, High Street beyond.

How it ended up at the head of Haweswater when all the mist was gone.

Helm Crag

Walked on 28/04/2014

Start Point: Roadside parking near to Helmside (NY 332 096)

Helmside – Greenburn – Pike of Carrs – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Bracken Hause – Greenburn – Helmside

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 442 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 10:45

Weather: Calm but dull, 13°C

The weather wasn’t too great again this morning, in fact the sky was leaden but it was perfectly still. Most of the higher (and the lower!) tops were lost in mist but we didn’t fare too badly up on the Helm Crag ridge.

Helm Crag

A panoramic view of Grasmere to start.

Greenburn.

Helm Crag and Green Burn.

Greenburn Bottom looking a bit murky.

Gibson Knott, looking to Helm Crag.

Dougal checks out what is down in Far Easedale.

The climb to Helm Crag.

Looking back to Gibson Knott.

The Howitzer.

The Dog, the Lamb and the Lion.

The Lion and the Lamb.

Looking down on Grasmere.

Steel Fell from the descent back to Greenburn.

Caw

Walked on 27/04/2014

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Park Head Road – Long Mire – Caw (OF) – Park Head Road – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 3.5 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes Start Time: 10:15

Weather: Overcast, windy on top, 13°C

We had a short walk up to Caw this morning – a great little fell with views all around yet you hardly ever see anyone up there. Also, there is news of a new member of the StridingEdge.net team…

At just four weeks old, this little Beardie puppy will soon be joining our household. His name will be Fletcher.

Scafell and Harter Fell from the Park Head Road.

Dougal seems interested in the goings-on further along the track.

The Duddon Valley.

Caw.

The track across Long Mire, heading up to the right in this photo.

Long Mire = Long Tongue.

HDR shot from the climb.

A panorama from the summit of Caw.

Dougal checks out the Coniston fells.

The Scafells, Esk Pike and Bowfell from Caw.

Black Combe from Caw.

...and looking in the opposite direction.

The Duddon Estuary from the descent.

Stickle Pike and Black Combe.

Crossing Old Park Beck.

Ancient wall, ancient track.

Robinson

Walked on 14/04/2014

Start Point: Buttermere (NY 176 170)

Buttermere – Hassness – Robinson – High Snockrigg – Buttermere

Distance: 4.3 miles Total Ascent: 700 metres Time Taken: 3 hours Start Time: 08:30

Weather: Long sunny spells, 11°C

Today’s walk was from Buttermere up to Robinson the steep way from Hassness. The weather was changeable though there were long sunny spells. Once on the top of Robinson the cloud closed in and it was back to hat and gloves in the cold wind.

Buttermere was very quiet this early in the morning.

No cars and no people around by the church.

Walking the lakeshore path.

High Stile.

The rock tunnel.

Climbing above Hassness, looking across to Pike.

High Stile feels close enough to touch from here.

A lovely view.

Similar, but higher up.

Goat Gills.

The clouds were on and off the western fells.

This path is steep!

From Wainwright's The North Western Fells, Robinson 8: 'A young rowan has secured a precarious foothold on this crag. Can it survive? Will some kind reader write to the author in 1970 and say it is still alive and well?'. In the 2008 Jesty updated version, it was stated as still there and now known as 'Wainwright's Rowan'.

Fleetwith Pike in black and white.

Haystacks.

High Crag and Stile.

Flatter ground on the way to the summit.

Sunshine on Honister Pass.

There wasn't much of a view when I got to the summit!

Mountain dog views Crummock Water and Loweswater.

Knott Rigg in the sunshine.

Robinson from High Snockrigg.

Dougal, ready for action!

Whiteless Pike.

The sun is out...now!

Bannerdale Crags

Walked on 04/04/2014

Start Point: Mungrisdale (NY 361 303)

Mungrisdale – East Ridge – Bannerdale Crags – Bowscale Fell – Bowscale Tarn – Bowscale – Mungrisdale

Distance: 6.7 miles Total Ascent: 560 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 07:45

Weather: Overcast, 10°C

Today we had a walk up the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags. The views weren’t so great and neither are the photos but the fresh air and the silence was. This route will feature in Trail magazine in the August edition.

A dull morning at Mungrisdale.

Souther Fell across the River Glenderamackin.

A (sort of) view to Bannerdale Crags - there wasn't much to see through the murk today but it was far better than being in the office!

Looking back along the valley from the start of the climb of the east ridge.

Bright eyed and not so bushy tailed - a new haircut for Dougal.

A glimpse of Bannerdale.

Looking back down the east ridge.

Living on a razor's edge, balancing on a ledge...

Climbing the east ridge.

The view from higher up.

The Wainwright summit cairn on Bannerdale Crags. I don't know who that cheery old chappie was - he no speak and he no move!

On the highest point - has he gone yet?

Bowscale Tarn.

Colourful sheep.

Lingmoor Fell

Walked on 23/03/2014

Start Point: Blea Tarn Car Park (NY 296 043)

Blea Tarn – Bleatarn House – Lingmoor Fell – Lingmoor Tarn – Side Pike – Blea Tarn

Distance: 3.2 miles Total ascent: 390 metres Time taken: 2 hours Start Time: 08:00

Weather: Cold wind, clear spells, 6°C

It was nice to be out early on such a morning for a walk up to Lingmoor Fell, the views were lovely and the wind was a cold one. Although I haven’t been on the fells as much as I would like for almost a year, things are about to change in April when stridingedge.net returns to the fells properly with a bit of luck. Thanks to all for bearing with me so far, needs must and all that…

A bit of early sunshine lights up the Langdale Pikes

Bowfell beyond Blea Tran House

...and the view from higher up the path

Wetherlam, Swirl How and Great Carrs plus a full view of Wet Side Edge

Dougal, bright eyed and bushy tailed

A bit of sunshine and clearing sky from the summit of Lingmoor Fell

Heading down to Lingmoor Tarn looking across to the Langdales

Lingmoor Tarn

The Grey Wader

Love the contrast of the Coniston fells with the nearer view

Side Pike

The Coniston fells across Blea Tarn

Dougal has already found the way through The Squeeze - it looks almost impossible from here but you can see the path leading to it on the bottom right

On the other side, my able assistant demonstrates how to get through

The Langdale Pikes from Side Pike

A panoramic view of Oxendale and Mickleden

Dougal + Langdales = Great view

Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and The Band from the descent

Mickleden

Side Pike from Blea Tarn

Red Screes

Walked on 03/03/2014

Start Point: Kirkstone Pass (NY 401 080)

Red Screes via Kilnshaw Chimney from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 1.3 miles Total Ascent: 342 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 16:40

Weather: Sunny, 6°C

You have to seize the opportunity when you can…so I did. A bit of a lung buster, but could I make it to the top of Red Screes before sunset? Well, I gave it a go climbing via Kilnshaw Chimney which is just about the most direct route you can get to any summit. This will be a Trail route in the June edition of the magazine.

Note: Kilnshaw Chimney requires a couple of climbs so be aware plus it is usually running with water so expect to get wet and of course it is slippery. Don’t bother in winter unless you have all the necessary gear.

The eastern face of Red Screes is into the shadows already

Kirkstone Pass from the scree

A steep climb

Red Scree

Looking from the base of Kilnshaw Chimney

Onwards and upwards

Windermere from the chimney exit - the actual climb of the chimney took 15 minutes

Just made it - Red Screes summit

Wow, it was just gorgeous and well worth the effort to see the dying embers of the day, alone on Red Screes

Long shadows across Middle Dodd and Patterdale

The north-west face of Red Screes doesn't get much sun in winter

Setting sun - the cloud capped fell is Coniston Old Man, the central pyramid is Harter Fell

Mono Ill Bell and the end of the day

Loughrigg Fell

Walked on 16/02/2014

Start Point: Tarn Foot, Skelwith Bridge (NY 345 039)

Tarn Foot – Ivy Crag – Loughrigg Fell – The How – Loughrigg Tarn – Tarn Foot

Distance: 2.7 miles Total Ascent: 270 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 11:40

Weather: Clearing, 5°C

A break in the weather? Let’s hope so, it seems to have been raining endlessly for weeks and even more so further south – I think everyone could do with a bit of respite. It was May 2012 the last time I was up here…but it feels like yesterday, I had to do a double take when I checked the site!

The Coniston fells across Loughrigg Tarn - and a welcome appearance from the blue sky!

The Langdale Pikes

This was a popular place today - and why not? It was lovely, here looking to Windermere

The summit of Loughrigg Fell

Dougal-star

Bowfell and the Langdales

Grasmere

Looking back to the busy summit

Dougal surveys his kingdom

Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes in mono

The Langdale Pikes across Loughrigg Tarn

Loughrigg Tarn panoramic

You can never have too many Langdale shots!

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 09/02/2014

Start Point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 647 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 13:40

Weather: Windy and overcast, 8°C

Today’s walk was done with a little sadness as I went with Dougal to scatter Casper’s ashes up on The Old Man with Angus – now they can both look down on us and we, of course, can look up to them and remember the good times. If you remember, spare our two boys a little thought next time you are up there…

Differing light, looking across to Wetherlam

It looks quite bright over towards Coniston Water...but up to The Old Man, not so clever

Sheep spotting on the climb

Poser!

Not much to see from the summit today and it was more than a little windy. The reason we were here was to scatter Casper's ashes in the same place as Angus, just below the summit where the plaque used to be - now they are reunited forever. I had many thoughts of the walks we had all done together over the years and there were more smiles than tears.

There wasn't much to see on the walk along to Brim Fell and then the descent of the upper part of Brim Fell Rake down to Low Water. I did have to hang on to my hat though (and Dougal!). This photo was taken when I got below the clouds at Low Water Beck looking down on Coniston.

Wainwright marked this simply as 'cave' on Brim Fell 3...an old copper mine level I'll wager.

The bottom section of Brim Fell Rake from the level

The view across Boulder Valley from the same place

The Pudding Stone - Brim Fell Rake is quite conspicuous from here running diagonally right to left from the centre of the photo

Looking across to Wetherlam over the Copper Mines

Coppermines Valley below Levers Water

Stickle Pike

Walked on 18/01/2014

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Stickle Pike – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 1 mile Total Ascent: 105 metres Time Taken: 30 minutes Start Time: 14:15

Weather: Breezy with showers, 8°C

Today me and Dougal had a quick sprint up to Stickle Pike and we made the best of a bad job regarding the weather, it certainly put a bit of colour in our cheeks.

Hesk Fell from Kiln Bank Cross

Typical Stickle Pike scenery looking towards Caw

The summit of Stickle Pike

Stickle Tarn - it looks a bit brighter to the south

Caw

Great Stickle and the Duddon Estuary

The cloud of doom over Black Combe

A mono shot looking across Stickle Pike summit to the head of the Duddon Valley

Dougal - he misses Casper as much as the rest of us

The view from the top

How green is my (Duddon) valley?

Dow Crag

Walked on 10/01/2014

Start Point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – The Cove – Goat’s Water – South Rake – Dow Crag – Goat’s Hawse – Goat’s Water – Walna Scar Road

Distance: 5.3 miles Total Ascent: 590 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:30

Weather: Cold wind, overcast, 7°C

First walk of the year…first walk for ages! Great to be back out even though the weather wasn’t really playing today so there are not many photos to speak of. Me and Dougal had a scramble up to Dow Crag via the South Rake, a great way up and this one will be a future walk in Trail magazine.

Dougal at Charmer's Grave - the photo is out of sequence and it's whereabouts remain unrevealed!

Boo Tarn is a bit more visible than the summer version

The Cove, heading for Goat's Water. The sky looks a bit ominous!

Well look at this amazing photo - Dougal has managed to stay still for a whole 1/5 second!

Goat's Water

We're going up there...somewhere

Dougal finds an alternative way up the South Rake

At the top looking down

Descending to Goat's Water from Goat's Hawse - Dougal's ears helpfully show how strong the wind was

The Bell and the Coniston fells from the Walna Scar Road

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 10/11/2013

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: 4.3 miles Total Ascent: 630 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 06:30

Weather: Cold and windy. 3oC.

It was predicted to be a clear day today so I set off early to catch the sunrise from The Old Man – I wasn’t disappointed and the early start was well worth the effort. Nice to bump into a group of StridingEdge fans on the way down – the only people I saw all morning.

Pre-dawn, looking across to Brown and Buck Pike.

Sunrise.

The dawn of a beautiful day.

Looking to distant Black Combe, the fells aglow.

The sun climbs higher, as do I!

Summit approach.

What a fabulous view from the top looking down on Low Water.

A panorama from the summit looking to the Scafells. Select on the image to see a larger version.

Sunrise on Dougal.

From The Old Man.

Dow Crag and beyond.

Heading for Brim Fell

The South Rake on Dow Crag.

Looking back to The Old Man.

Brim Fell.

Harter Fell.

Swirl How.

Swirl How from Raven Tor.

Down at Low Water.

Wetherlam from the ruins.

Black Sail and Wetherlam.

Mind the gap.

The Old Man in the sunshine.

The Coniston fells from Torver.

Colourful reflections down at Lake Bank.

A perfect view of Coniston.

Into the sun, the mist rising from the polished lake.

Mono Jetty.

Coniston Water.

Blawith Knott

Walked on 03/11/2013

Start point: Woodland Fell road (SD 256 879)

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

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 156 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 14:50

Weather: Cool. 7oC

The weather was surprisingly good this afternoon – it felt windy at valley level, yet up on the fells not so bad! This is a lovely little walk, another of our favourites and not a soul to be seen around here.

Firstly, a few shots taken of Friday from Castlerigg Stone Circle…

Clough Head to Helvellyn.

Skiddaw and Blencathra.

A mono view of the circle. On with the walk...

Sunshine on the Giant's Grave.

Blawith Knott.

Dog - sheep, sheep - dog.

Nuclear explosion in the Duddon Estuary.

Connie and Dougal at the top.

The view from Blawith Knott.

The way ahead with Angus Tarn centre left and Tottlebank Heights beyond.

Black Combe.

The Coniston fells from Blawith Knott.

Close up on the Coniston fells.

The snaking path to Angus Tarn.

Dougal has a dip.

Wool Knott and Beacon Fell. Up to the left you can just about make out Fairfield, complete with a snow covering - the first of the winter.

Tottlebank Height.

Setting sun.

Gummer’s How

Walked on 31/10/2013

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 hour Start Time: 14:35

Weather: Breezy. 12oC

You have to take your opportunities where you can and they have been few and far between for the past few months but it was a great feeling to be out and about up on Gummer’s How with Connie and Dougal. The weather was fairly kind to us – it was dry at least and there were some decent sunny spells. Poor old Casper was left at home with his feet up, he is not so good at all these days.