Greendale Round

Walked on 28/09/2013

Start point: Greendale (NY 144 056)

Greendale – Middle Fell – Greendale Tarn – Seatallan – Cat Bields – Glade How – Buckbarrow – Joss Naylor Cairn – Greendale

Distance: 6 miles Total Ascent: 785 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 10:00

Weather: Sunny and warm. 20oC

It was a fantastic return to summer weather today with sunshine, blue skies and with the added bonus of being unexpectedly warm. Today I joined up with Skip, Smoky and fell running legend Joss Naylor for a memorable walk around Greendale.

Early morning and the classic view along Wast Water.

Buckbarrow.

Autumn colours coming through.

Joss leads the way (actually I think Dougal was doing most of the leading today - he loved it, running with the pack!) followed by Skip and Smoky.

The view out to sea from the climb to Middle Fell.

One man and his dogs.

Looking across Buckbarrow.

The magnificent view from Middle Fell.

Dougal feeling the heat today.

With Joss Naylor on Middle Fell.

Kirk Fell and Great Gable beyond Yewbarrow.

The Scafells.

Haycock, Scoat Fell and Red Pike.

The view from the steep climb to Seatallan.

Middle Fell and Greendale Tarn.

I think Joss quite liked Dougal-Doo -'Mr Dougal' as he called him!

The view from Seatallan.

The summit of Seatallan.

Looking on Stockdale Head with Caw Fell to the left, Haycock to the right.

Seatallan silhouette.

Heading for Cat Bields. You can see a haze layer out to sea and around Black Combe.

Seatallan from Cat Bields, Great Gable to the distant right.

Cairn on Glade How.

A panoramic view from Buckbarrow.

Joss at the Joss Naylor cairn - he rebuilt this cairn in 2002 to mark the interment of the Queen Mother.

Colourful Greendale.

The view from the descent.

The Screes.

Greendale Gill.

Pillar

Walked on 24/08/2013

Start point: Bowness Knott Car Park (NY 109 153)

Bowness Knott Car Park -Ennerdale Forest – Pillar Cove – Robinson’s Cairn – High Level Route – Shamrock Traverse – Pillar – Black Crag (Pillar) – Scoat Fell – Steeple – Lingmell – Bowness Knott Car Park

Distance: 11.2 miles Total Ascent: 1114 metres Time Taken: 6 hours Start Time: 07:20

Weather: Wet and warm. 17oC

After all the good weather recently I guess there had to be some bad – it just so happens that this was the only day I could get out so I had to take it as it came. Let’s just say I had some good navigation practice and needless to say, I saw no-one all day! Today’s walk will be a ‘Trail Route’ in a future edition of Trail magazine.

Early morning in Ennerdale and the clag is down low on the fells.

On the forest track. After this photo came the drizzle...and even lower clag.

Climbing Pillar the steep way.

At Robinson's Cairn.

Robinson's Cairn.

The best view I had of The Pillar today - from Pisgah.

Damp Dougal Doo.

Pillar summit.

Clearing mist over Scoat Fell.

Heading for Steeple along the arête.

Out of the mist on the descent of Steeple.

Red Pike and High Stile across Ennerdale.

Pillar and Windgap Cove.

Looking back up to Steeple from the descent.

Pillar is almost free of cloud now.

Steeple and the Long Crag ridge used in descent.

The steep way back to Ennerdale.

The weather has turned around now, Ennerdale is looking much better than in the first photo!

Blawith Knott

Walked on 01/08/2013

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: 17:25

Weather: Very warm. 25oC

I know, I know – we have not been getting out much recently, the main reason being I have a new job and that is taking up all my time at the moment; never fear, normal service will be resumed soon enough. Tonight we managed a quick evening walk up to Blawith Knott – it seemed a shame not to use the warm weather and the good news about Casper is that the incurable seemingly is (partly) curable, so he can once again join us at least on the smaller walks for now.

Firstly a holiday snap – we were in Provence in July taking in a bit of the Tour de France. We managed to see the Ventoux stage and this photo was taken two days later at the start in Vasion la Romaine. Nice to get so close to the Sky team…

L-R: Froome, Kennaugh, Porte, Thomas. On with the walk...

Black Combe across a sea of silver bracken.

Who's that new boy? Casper of course, he's on the comeback trail!

Warm and muggy on the top of Blawith Knott.

Looking for the rest of Angus Tarn.

That's a better place for a dip.

The hazy Coniston fells from Tottlebank Height.

Beacon Fell, Coniston Water to the right.

Evening sky.

All is sunny again now.

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 10/07/2013

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: 10:50

Weather: Warm but overcast. 21oC.

After all the wonderful weather over the fells that I have been jealously eyeing from afar, today was…dull! Not to worry, I didn’t let the weather and lack of views spoil the feeling of the freedom of the fells. It was fantastic to be back up there (Dougal thinks so too!) and we followed the old favourite ‘McMahon Route’ to The Old Man, returning via Brim Fell Rake.

Foxgloves and high bracken at the foot of The Old Man.

A panorama across The Cove - Walna Scar, Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

Dougal was nearly tripping over his tongue this morning!

Now, where did all that sunshine go?

Coniston, Coniston Water and Windermere.

A silhouette of Brown Pike complete with three summiteers, Walna Scar and Black Combe beyond.

Looking down on Low Water and Levers Water from the top of the Old Man.

The cloud is moving in from the north obliterating all views in that direction.

Heading for Brim Fell.

Mono Harter Fell.

The descent of Brim Fell Rake (with the accompaniment of raindrops).

Low Water looking turquoise today.

Low Water reflections.

Straight in, no messing.

Wetherlam and reminders of the industrial past of The Old Man.

The Bell.

Walla Crag

Walked on 05/06/2013

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: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 11:15

Weather: Summer! 20oC.

Phew, what a scorcher as the run of superb weather continues in the Lakes. The day started off cloudless but soon built up after I set off from Keswick (in shorts at last!). a few weeks ago it felt like summer would never come…

Firstly, a few from the other day…

Lots of bluebells at Rannerdale.

Mellbreak across Crummock Water.

Casper and Dougal.

Rannerdale.

Buttermere.

Looking to Fleetwith Pike.

Buttermere boys.

Catbells - available as a 3:1 panormic canvas, looks fantastic as a 1.5 meter wide centrepiece in Bowness Love the Lakes!

Derwent Water panorama - 4:1 panorama also available on canvas. E-Mail me for further details. Early on today...

A perfectly clear day at Low Wood. ...and finally, the walk!

A beautiful summers day from Springs Road, Causey Pike peeping through the gap beyond Castle Head.

A Derwent Water panorama from the Castlerigg climb. From this point the clouds were building thick and fast although the heat was retained.

Blencathra and the Vale of Keswick.

Skiddaw and Keswick.

Heading for Lady's Rake.

Derwent Water.

The view from Lady's Rake.

The long tongue tells a story.

Derwent to Bassenthwaite from Walla Crag.

Clough Head and the Dodds from the summit cairn.

Sunshine and bluebells down in Great wood.

The Millennium Stone.

Lord of the Lake.

The view from Friar's Crag.

Derwent Water.

Mellbreak

Walked on 22/05/2013

Start point: Loweswater (NY 147 214)

Loweswater – North Top of Mellbreak – South Top of Mellbreak – Mosedale – Hen Comb – Little Dodd (Loweswater) – Loweswater

Distance: 6.2 miles Total Ascent: 764m metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 07:30

Weather: Sunny spells. A cool wind, 12oC.

I’m still not wearing shorts and it still doesn’t seem to be getting any warmer! The wind up on Mellbreak was mighty cold today, I did contemplate hat and gloves for a while it was that bad. Still, there are always great views from here and I did have a couple of thoughts about the climb to Hen Comb. Read on to hear more…

Mellbreak early on, with the promise of clearing skies.

Grasmoor 'around the corner' following the lane from the Kirkstile Inn.

Loweswater from the start of the climb to Mellbreak.

The steep way up.

Loweswater and the Scotland.

A panoramic view of Loweswater.

Looking down from the up.

'...a lovely peep around a corner...'

On the north top of Mellbreak.

Hen Comb from the second cairn.

Heading for the south top.

The Mellbreak hound.

A panorama of Crummock Water and Buttermere from the south top of Mellbreak.

Hen Comb from the descent, to the lower right is the Mosedale Holly Tree. I climbed Hen Comb alongside the gully on the left of the fell in this photo (the dark diagonal line).

The Mosedale Tree.

Looking down towards Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere from the top of the steep, steep climb to Hen Comb (note to self: don't come this way again...I'm sure I said that last time as well!).

The summit of Hen Comb.

What have we here? The predicted good weather arrives on Little Dodd.

Loweswater in sunshine.

Twin peaks - Hen Comb and Little Dodd.

Mellbreak over the wall.

Looking back from the lonnin.

Bethecar Moor

Walked on 14/05/2013

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 295 897)

High Nibthwaite – Brock Barrow (OF) – Low Light Haw (OF) – High Light Haw (OF) – Stang Hill – Arnsbarrow Hill – Top o’ Selside(OF)– High Nibthwaite

Distance: 4.1 miles Total Ascent: 347m metres Time Taken: 1 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Sunny spells. A cool 9oC.

It may be May (!) but it doesn’t particularly feel like it, the shorts and tee shirt are still not in evidence yet. Dougal (and Casper) have gone for it though having lost their winter coats ready for the long hot summer ahead. It was just me and Dougal again today for a jaunt along the east side of Coniston Water up on Bethecar Moor, a fairly relaxed walk with some great views.

Caught in a shower heading for Brock Barrow.

Lo and behold! The sun is shining on the climb.

They made me do it.

Looking back down on the climb.

The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.

A panoramic view of the Crake Valley and the foot of Coniston Water.

Very dapper Dougal!

The Old Man and Wetherlam beyond the second summit...

...and the view from it.

The rest of the tops in this walk can be spotted from Low Light Haw - directly ahead to High Light Haw, Stang and Arnsbarrow Hill to the right and Top o' Selside distant left.

Coniston Water, Beacon Fell and Caw from High Light Haw.

The route to Stang Hill.

Heading across Stang Moss.

Helvellyn to Fairfield to Red Screes to Ill Bell from Stang Hill.

Arnsbarrow Tarn, Top o' Selside beyond.

A panorama of Arnsbarrow Tarn.

A little bit of sunshine on Top o' Selside.

Looking in the opposite direction to distant Morecambe Bay and Black Comb.

A Coniston panorama on the way back to Low Nibthwaite.

Riggindale Round

Walked on 30/04/2013

Start point: Mardale Head (NY 469 107)

Mardale Head – Rough Crag (Riggindale) – Caspel Gate – Long Stile – High Street – Straits of Riggindale – The Knott – Rampsgill Head – Kidsty Pike –High Raise – Low Raise – Castle Crag (Mardale) – The Rigg – Mardale Head

Distance: 8.5 miles Total Ascent: 888m metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 07:00

Weather: Sunny spells. 11oC.

It was beautiful this morning, very still and sunny and it was pleasantly warm climbing Rough Crag but as soon as I got to the High Street plateau it was covered with cloud which made it feel a lot cooler. It was a great day for it though and we were in total solitude throughout with just deer and sheep for company.

Calm reflections on Haweswater.

Harter Fell.

Haweswater from the Rough Crag ridge.

Harter Fell from higher up.

Small Water is nestling somewhere in the combe to the left and Mardale Ill Bell.

Fabulous views today.

A glimpse of Small Water.

Blea Water from Rough Crag.

One mucky pup!

Long Stile, the climb to High Street.

Blea Water.

Long Stile over Caspel Gate.

Caspel Gate Tarn.

There were some lovely sunny spells and it was quite warm when the sun was out.

Looking down Long Stile.

On High Street though it was suddenly cloud covered and felt a lot cooler.

High Street summit looking to Helvellyn.

Hayeswater.

Looking back to High Street.

The Knott.

The Knott summit cairn.

Rest Dodd and The Nab with Ullswater catching the sun in the distance.

High Street and Thornthwaite Crag from Rampsgill Head.

Ramps Gill from Ramspgill Head.

High Street from Kidsty Pike.

High Raise.

Low Raise...back in the sunshine!

Haweswater from the south-east ridge.

Descending the south-east ridge. If you find a lens cap along here it could well be mine!

The British Fort on the south-east ridge with Haweswater beyond.

The view from The British Fort.

Riggindale.

On the way home, the head of Haweswater. Select on the image to see a larger version. This photo will be available as a premium canvas print, e-mail me if you are interested for sizes etc.

Sty Head Round

Walked on 23/04/2013

Start point: Seathwaite (NY 235 122)

Seathwaite – Hanging Stone – Base Brown – Blackmoor Pols – Green Gable – Windy Gap – Styhead Tarn – Sty Head – Sprinkling Tarn – Great Slack on Seathwaite Fell – Seathwaite Fell – Taylorgill Force – Seathwaite

Distance: 6.2 miles Total Ascent: 925 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 07:00

Weather: Changeable, windy. 11oC.

It’s a while since I have done these fells and it was nice to get back there for a visit. The weather was constantly changing and the summits were very windy with the clouds constantly blowing in and off. There was quite a number of dead sheep around today, a grizzly consequence of the heavy snowfall not so long ago.

Base Brown from Seathwaite.

High above Seathwaite Farm.

Seathwaite Fell and Base Brown.

Seathwaite Fell.

Sourmilk Gill.

Borrowdale and fallen branch.

Sunburst over Borrowdale.

Early morning light at the top of Sour Milk Gill.

Base Brown.

Borrowdale from the northern slopes of Base Brown.

The Hanging Stone.

Great and Green Gable from Base Brown.

Heading for Green Gable across Blackmoor Pols - it looks like Dougal has already been!

Looking back to Base Brown.

Ennerdale from Green Gable.

Great from Green.

Great End and Skew Gill from the descent.

Dougal in traditional pose on the stretcher box.

Lingmell and Piers Gill.

Windswept Dougal on Great Slack.

The Wainwright summit of Seathwaite Fell from Great Slack, the highest point.

It was very windy along here but there is blue sky over Keswick way.

The steep descent.

Taylorgill Force.

Blake Fell

Walked on 19/04/2013

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: 2 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 10:50

Weather: Sunny spells, warm in the sunshine. 10oC.

What a beautiful day today, a welcome change after a couple of blustery ones. It really did feel like spring walking along the tops with the Meadow Pipits in full voice and the warm sun on my back.

On the way…

The view from Low Wood and clearing weather promised a good day.

Carling Knott on the way to High Nook Farm.

A pastoral scene.

Fresh snow over on Whiteside and Grasmoor.

Smoking Grasmoor.

Blake Fell across Highnook Tarn.

Mellbreak and beyond.

Lorton Vale.

Blimey, I thought I'd bumped into old AW himself on Gavel Fell...again!

Heading for Blake Fell.

A panoramic view.

Fleetwith Pike, High Stile and Pillar, to name a few, from Blake Fell.

An airy view over Cogra Moss and Knock Murton.

'The Surveyor' finds the route to Burnbank Fell.

Burnbank Fell summit.

A view to Criffel across the Solway Firth.

Burnbank Fell panoramic, the top marked by the straining post.

Descending towards Loweswater.

Scale Beck.

Darling Fell and Low Fell.

High and Dry looking to Grasmoor (the snow has disappeared in the warm sunshine now).

Beacon Fell

Walked on 15/04/2013

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 Start Time: 14:10

Weather: Warmer then of late with a strong wind. 14oC

The Easter holidays seem to be going on forever this year, but this is it Connie – back to school tomorrow. It was quite pleasant up on Beacon Fell today and very quiet as you would expect. The strong wind made the top a place not to hang around though…

The call of the wild; Casper-is-back!

Looking brighter at the start of the climb.

Beacon Fell.

It was a little breezy today.

The gully.

Coniston Water and brightening weather.

Nibthwaite and the foot of Coniston.

Drama over the Coniston fells.

Beacon Fell summit.

Coniston Water from the cairn.

The wind was strong enough to take Dougal's tongue away! There was no treasure tin in evidence today for Connie.

Looking along the top of Beacon Fell.

Beautiful down at Beacon Tarn but too cold for a dip today.

The way back.

Little dog and girl, big country.

Brock Barrow

Walked on 05/04/2013

Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 294 897)

Brock Barrow (OF) from High Nibthwaite

Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 175 metres Time Taken: 40 minutes Start Time: 17:25

Weather: Cool. 5oC

Casper enjoyed it so much the other day I thought I’d give him the opportunity of another jaunt to a small fell, it was good to have him back although nothing has changed – he is still officially retired unfortunately.

High Nibthwaite and Beacon Fell.

Over Allan Tarn to Blawith Knott.

Brock Barrow.

There's still life in the old dog yet.

The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.

A burst of sunshine over the Crake Valley.

Coniston Water and fells.

Old pals.

Brock Barrow.

The second summit ahead, Wetherlam beyond.

The call of the wild.

Time for a swim (for Casper and Dougal, not me I hasten to add!) down at Nibthwaite.

The Old Man at the head of Coniston Water.

He's keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

Blawith Knott

Walked on 03/04/2013

Start point: Woodland Fell road (SD 256 879)

Blawith Knott (OF) from the Woodland Fell road

Start Time: 13:40 Weather: Cold wind but sunny. 8oC

Time for a quick walk up to Blawith Knott with Connie, Casper and Dougal today. The wind was biting up there but it was nice to have the company and a fellwalking reunion.

Giant's Grave and snowdrift.

On the climb.

A panoramic view from Blawith Knott.

StridingEdge.net reunion - Connie, Dougal and Casper.

The view over Beacon Fell to the north east.

The Coniston fells HDR.

Casper - good to be back.

The Duddon Estuary.

Black Combe from Blawith Knott.

It was quite windy up here today and that made it feel pretty cold.

Blawith Knott from the bottom.

The Langdales

Walked on 25/03/2013

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

New Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn –Harrison Stickle – Dungeon Ghyll – New Dungeon Ghyll

Distance: 2.8 miles Total Ascent: 635 metres Time Taken: 3 hours Start Time: 09:50

Weather: Freezing cold wind, deep snow drifts. 2oC

The snow in Cumbria has been well documented with plenty being dumped on the coast – inland there is still a lot around but the roads are mainly clear. Up on high, the strong winds have made the snow drifts very deep – waist deep in many places today.

It was cold in Great Langdale first thing this morning.

At the foot of the climb to Stickle Tarn, at least there was a glimmer of blue sky.

On the frozen path.

Looking back down and across to Lingmoor Fell with frequent snow showers blowing in.

Crossing Stickle Ghyll...under the snow somewhere!

Harrison Stickle across part frozen Stickle Tarn.

Looking across Lingmoor and the Coniston fells.

I had in mind to climb Pavey Ark by the North Rake but you can see here how much snow is around the tarn where the path normally is. All that lovely white snow was knee to waist deep so I headed up to the higher ground (to the right in this photo) but even that was tough going along the undulations so I gave it up as a bad job thinking the North Rake would be full of snow as well. One chap and then a couple went that way - fair play to them, they did make it across as I could see them later on from up on high but for me the risks outweighed the benefits of going that way today.

Fell and sky.

Plan B was to climb Harrison Stickle up the west face - you can see the path heading diagonally right upwards, below the crags. As it turned out, I didn't follow that path either as it was also deep with snow! I climbed the gully directly to the right of the smaller second dark area.

The snow picks out the line of Jack's Rake on Pavey Ark running from bottom right diagonally across to the left.

A view of Easy Gully on Pavey Ark.

Stickle Tarn from the climb.

Climbing the gully and the equipment required to get there. There was a fierce wind blowing as I reached the top.

A change of tack was required here - the usual path goes through the gap below the summit which is full of snow in this photo so I ended up climbing the north face instead - straight up to the right in this photo.

Great Langdale from Harrison Stickle.

Dougal, aka the windometer, accurately reflects conditions on the top.

A fabulous view over Lingmoor Fell and Blea Tarn but there was a wild, wild wind up here.

The Coniston fells.

Big Pike o' Stickle and Little Pike o' Dougal from the descent.

A splash of colour looking back up.

Loft Crag.

Dungeon Ghyll. From here, things got more than a little interesting and great care and caution was required. I would not recommend going this way until conditions abate - there were deep drifts of snow and great layered slabs along the path and I must admit the thought of an avalanche focussed my mind on the descent.

Past the worst bit and descending towards Pike Howe.

Still windy looking up to blue skies above Harrison Stickle.

Lingmoor Fell.

Great Langdale.

Side Pike.

Winter Langdale Pikes.

Catbells

Walked on 13/03/2013

Start point: Hawes End (NY 247 212)

Hawes End – Skelgill Bank – Catbells – Hause Gate – Allerdale Ramble – Hawes End

Distance: 3.7 miles Total Ascent: 451 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 10:00

Weather: Cold and clear. 2oC

What a beautiful day for a short walk up to Catbells, I would love to have continued and done the Newlands Round today but any walk is better than none. There were views for miles today which was accompanied by a sometimes bracing wind.

There was a fine view across Windermere to the Langdales today.

Close up.

Blencathra across Derwent Water at the foot of the climb to Catbells.

A panoramic view.

Causey Pike.

What a beautiful morning looking across Derwent Water.

Yes Dougal, I am hurrying up.

Skiddaw.

A panoramic view. Select on the image to see a larger version.

The twin peaks of Skelgill Bank and Catbells.

A panoramic of the Newlands Valley. Select on the image to see a larger version.

Bass Lake and Swinside.

The Vale of Keswick.

The path to Catbells from Skelgill Bank.

A grand climb.

The view from the top.

Newlands from the summit.

A panoramic view from Catbells. Select on the image to see a larger version.

Hindscarth and Robinson.

Little Town below.

The lion has moved from Trafalgar Square.

At Hause Gate.

Blencathra looming large.

A panorama from the Allerdale Ramble path - it is starting to cloud over now.

I like the way Keswick is picked out in the sunlight in this mono shot. Talking of mono shots...I have had this photo printed on to some huge 1500mm x 500mm top quality canvases and it looks fantastic. E-mail me if you fancy one (select on it to see a larger version)...

Silver How, Grasmere

Walked on 04/03/2013

Start point: Grasmere Church (NY 336 073)

Grasmere – Allan Bank – Silver How – Kelbarrow – Grasmere

Distance: 2.75 miles Total Ascent: 325 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 10:50

Weather: Murky and misty. 4oC

It was a murky morning, the sun was ever threatening and did indeed come out much later (i.e. when I went home!). This is a nice enough walk though and there seemed to be one or two out and about enjoying the fresh air.

A Grasmere panorama, from Allan Bank.

Helm Crag.

Murky and misty looking across to Heron Pike.

Climbing higher.

Grasmere and Loughrigg.

Caught in the act!

The path to Silver How.

No Langdales view from Silver How summit.

Dougal, the fell dog.

Grasmere and Rydal Water.

Dougal waits for me, surveying his kingdom.

The Monarch of the Glen.

Blencathra via Sharp Edge

Walked on 27/02/2013

Start point: Scales (NY 349 272)

Scales – Sharp Edge – Blencathra (Atkinson Pike – Hallsfell Top – Scales Fell) – Scales

Distance: 4.5 miles Total Ascent: 642 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 45 minutes Start Time: 08:10

Weather: Sunny, warm in the sunshine. 8°C

Yet another beautiful day here with sunny blue skies all around. Today we climbed Sharp Edge up to Blencathra, the reminder that it was still winter was on the north face of the edge where the ice was treacherous to the unwary.

Warning: Do not attempt Sharp Edge in winter conditions unless you know what you are doing. Never take a dog that way.

Moon setting over the north western fells.

Derwent Water at dawn...it was so cold down here, -7C, my fingers were really numb even with gloves on.

Catbells. Onwards and upwards...

Mousthwaite Comb.

Looking back down and across to Clough Head on a gorgeous day.

Sharp Edge ahead.

Scales Tarn.

Climbing towards Sharp Edge.

At the foot of the climb.

On Sharp Edge. The north face (to the right in this photo) was icy and treacherous.

A panoramic view climbing the edge.

The 'awkward place'.

Looking down Razor Edge.

Made it! The view from the top.

Skiddaw from Atkinson Pike.

A beautiful day up on the top of Blencathra.

The White Cross looking to the Coledale fells.

The frozen summit tarn.

Dougal - walking on water?

Blencathra.

Dougal on the summit of Blencathra.

The Vale of Keswick and beyond.

Looking across Derwent Water and down on Love the Lakes, Keswick.

The Coledale fells across Gategill Fell.

Looking back from the descent.

Sharp Edge in profile.

Blencathra with the saddle in view from Scales Fell.

Fabulous.

Castlerigg Stone Circle panoramic, Blencathra beyond.

Hard Knott

Walked on 25/02/2013

Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)

Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass

Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 14:40

Weather: Sunny. 8°C

Sunshine was all around today and it was really quite warm and pleasant too. Today I was with Dougal alone, even on this relatively short and easy walk, as I have retired Casper from fell walking. His age has caught up with him now and he can no longer manage to wander the fells with us – sad but true. He will be retiring in comfort though with the knowledge he has led a great life getting to places other dogs can only dream of; we have spent many happy hours together. In the future I think he will be joining the Love the Lakes team as Chief Shop Dog so I think he will be regaling all and sundry with his tales from the fells should he be asked!

Wrynose Pass.

A wider view looking across the Duddon Valley to the Coniston fells.

Border End.

What a beautiful day and warm enough for shirt sleeves (for a while anyway as once over the top of Border End there was an icy wind blowing down the valley so fleece, hat and gloves were required!).

The head of Eskdale from frozen Border End.

...and again, from further along.

Looking along the Eskdale Valley into the bright sunshine.

Dougal checks out the fabulous view...or is he looking for Casper?

A panoramic view of the Scafells from Border End. Select on the image to see a larger version.

Esk Pike and Bowfell, Eskdale Needle at the bottom of the photo.

A wider panorama.

Slight Side and Scafell.

The approach to Eskdale Needle.

The Needle is in a fantastic situation overlooking Upper Eskdale and The Scafells.

Eskdale Needle from the south.

The Steeple.

Climbing to Hard Knott.

Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Ill Crag with the lower subsidiary summit of Scafell Pike, Pen, foremost.

Esk Pike.

I think those clouds look great but have a look at the photos to see how quickly they change, they are different in every one!

Hard Knott summit.

As above, so below looking to Grey Friar across a frozen pool.

Ulpha Fell (Little Stand) along the Duddon Valley.

Spring has sprung in Dunnerdale.

Middle Fell

Walked on 22/02/2013

Start point: Greendale (NY 144 056)

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

Distance: 3.2 miles Total Ascent: 525 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 45 minutes Start Time: 09:15

Weather: Cold and overcast. 2°C

It was so cold up there today – to the bone in fact – and not a day for hanging around for too long. Wasdale though, as ever, was beautiful.

Wasdale.

A mono version.

The Scafells from Greendale.

Greendale Gill.

Buckbarrow.

The summit of Middle Fell.

The Scafells.

Kirk Fell, Great Gable and the Scafells over Yewbarrow.

Dougal and Casper on Middle Fell.

It was cold and icy up here.

The fell dog in his natural environment, Haycock beyond.

Seatallan and part frozen Greendale Tarn.

I can hear voices down below.

Greendale Tarn.

Icy Greendale Gill.

I took a wander over by Joss's cairn on the side of Buckbarrow, here looking to Middle Fell.

The Screes and Wast Water.

Heading back down to Greendale.

The Screes panoramic.

Greendale Gill.

Skiddaw

Walked on 19/02/2013

Start point: Gale Road End (NY 281 253)

Gale Road End – Skiddaw Lesser Man – Skiddaw Little Man – Skiddaw – Jenkin Hill – Lonscale Fell – Lonscale Pike – Latrigg – Gale Road End

Distance: 8.5 miles Total Ascent: 860 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 07:00

Weather: Beautiful sunshine above the haze. 5°C

I was up early again today to catch the sunrise and it was well worth it to see the beautiful rising sun across a temperature inversion. Once above the haze layer the air was very clear – a fantastic and memorable day to be out on the fells.