Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike

31st October 2007

Started the walk at Glenridding after a coffee at the guesthouse by the car park. Must try and get out of this habit of having a drink before the walk! (especially as it was instant Latte and disgusting!) The path looks quite clear on the OS map, heading up east of Blaes crag then contouring round and up to the col between Glenridding Dodd and Shefield Pike. However, as usual, the most difficult part of navigation for any walk is the start – finding the path! Today the route was blocked by a gate with an old notice saying ‘No Path’ but could we find another way to get on to the fell? So, over the gate we went quickly up the field to a gate in the wall above, working out excuses we would use if the farmer came following us with a shot gun. (Wainwright does say that some degree of minor trespass may be needed).
The path up was indistinct steep and difficult, not helped by moans of “This can’t be the right way” coming from behind! However we soon found the real path contouring round and up to the col. From hereon the walk was a delight. When looking down it appeared that the path up was the west of Blades Crag. On reaching the col with a gate in the wall, the way up to Glenridding Dodd was easy, following the wall a short way up to the right and as the main path headed down to Mosedale Beck, taking the right hand up to the summit.
From here the route up the south west ridge of Sheffield Pike looked steep rocky and pathless, but after a little gentle persuasion it was decided that would be the route of ascent. We lingered on the Dodd for a while, admiring the beauty and diversity of the scenery all around. The different golds, reds, browns of the trees and bracken, the dark foreboding clouds lingering over the Helvellyn range, patchy beams of sunlight lighting up the lush green in the valley and Place Fell, which today, looked dark and ominous.
Retracing our steps to the col the route up to Heron Crag on Sheffield Pike was a dream. The path was clear all the way, not what we has excepted, keeping mainly to the south side of the ridge above Glenridding Screes, at no time difficult but always with was the dark, even black, clouds over Helvellyn and Catstye Cam ahead. Looking behind, Ullswater extended into the distance like a large figure two. Perhaps the BBC could use this for their BBC2 logo.
The wind, which was quite high at the col was getting stronger and stronger and by the time we reached the summit plateau it was blowing a gale. This coincided with a dramatic change in scenery from a grass/ rocky ridge ascent, to a boggy expanse of moorland (time for gaiters) with our summit not yet in view . Struggling across the bog on a well defined path and against the ever strengthening wind the summit cairn appeared and below it a small stone shelter, a welcome place for lunch.
The route down was straight forward, west off the summit to Nick Head. We had decided to descend via Glencoyne rather than down by the old mines to Glenridding. A much recommended route, the expanse of Ullswater constantly filling the panorama ahead.


Once down to the wall we stayed high above it, heading through the woods, rather than descending to the valley floor. Yet another completely different atmosphere from that we had experience in the day. A carpet of golden fallen leaves on the path, autumnal trees and no wind. Place Fell across the valley now looked gorgeous and welcoming in the late afternoon sunlight.
Once at the road we were able to follow the path on the lake side, only requiring a short section of road walking back to the car.

Time 4hrs

Memories Problems getting on to the hill to start
Wide variety of scenery
High winds on the summit

Grading Excellent

Completed 11 To Go 203

Holme Fell

Saturday 29/9/07

Managed to park at the National Trust car park on the A593 near Yew Tree Farm with a path leading up to Tarn Hows heading east. However, crossing the small bridge to the south and across a field takes you easily to Yew Tree Farm without having to walk down the road. From Yew Tree farm the path heads to the right of the farm, through a gate and easily followed north contouring along the eastern slopes of Holme Fell. Always looking for the path which will ascend up to the left, on to the fell itself, this is reached in just under 1km, signed on a rock but not very distinctly. However the path rises pleasantly amongst trees and heather to reach the top of the col apparently known as the 'Uskdale Gap'. Wainwright says the summit, Ivy Crag, can be seen when the col is reached but you have to ascend the obvious path to the left a short way before Ivy Crag is visible. Once on the summit, although not very high, the views are, as always, tremendous. It is often said that views from the lesser peaks are just as satisfying, if not more so than those from the higher peaks. Looking across and up to Wetherlam, across to Pike O'Blisco and beyond to Harrison Stickle, the hills have a different outline and demeanour than when seen from higher aspects on the larger fells.
Holme Fell spreads northwards with undulations and tarns. We decided to head north north west heading directly for the first visible tarn (reservoir) and then trying to find the main path heading down towards Holme Ground. We had to meander south west amongst the ferns and heather on indistinct paths, until the main path down was identified. Soon down to a track just above a wall which followed the wall round the southern end of the fell, eventually joining the quiet road leading up to Hodge Close.
Headed back to Yew Tree farm via the fields with Herwick Sheep and Belted Galloway cows. The way is signposted just before the road crosses a bridge and finished a lovely walk with a bowl of hot soup at the farm (sitting ouitside at the end of September!) before returning to the car.
Time: 2 hours

Memories

Lovely shortish walk with magnificant views

Delicious leg of Heardwick lamb purchased at the Yew Tree Farm cafe / shop

Overall Rating Excellent

Completed 9 To Go 205

Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell and Swirl How

Thursday 27/9/07


Started from the village car park, milling with coach loads of school children being organised into groups, no doubt to make an ascent of the mountain. Took the standard path up the Eastern aspect of the Old Man through the old slight quarries. A quick, direct but not very beautiful ascent until reaching Low Water above the quarries, when the walk becomes more more like a hill climb than a slate museum. I expect very interesting for industrial archaeologists, we saw two taking photos of the old workings and mine entrances.

Once above Low Water the ascent up to the final short ridge is steep but once on the ridge, as a lady remarked in a very broad Geordie accent 'You feel like you're on top of the world.' Despite the number of people on top it is obvious why the old man is a popular climb. Views; South, over to Morcambe Bay, West to Sellafield and the sea, North to the central lakeland fells and East over to the Pennines and Yorkshire hills.

North the broad ridge extends majestically north to Brim Fell and in the distance to Swirl How (our next two objectives). West we had good view of Dow Crag where had been a few weeks earlier and had seen nothing!

Despite the clear weather, a biting strong wind cut through us as we traversed the ridge with full windproof clothing, hats and gloves to Swirl How and descended Prison Band. Instead of heading for Wetherlam we continued our descent to Levers Water. The path loof excellent from Prison Band but soon becomes very indistinct, boggy and difficult to follow. However Levers Water is the target.


From Levers Water the road down back on the old mining road which although are easy to follow, are not particularly interesting. Perhaps we should have finished off with Wetherlam, but an excellent day.

Total Time for the walk 5hrs 30mns (by the way I include all stops in my timings)

Memories:

"It's like being on top of the World"

Overall rating Excellent

Completed 8 To Go 206

Place Fell

Tuesday 25/9/07

Parked in Patterdale and had a quick take a way coffee from the general store before setting off across the beck to the base of Place fell. Decided to ascend the western side of the fell initially contouring round on the upper of two parallel paths along Ullswater's east bank. After approx 1km (the Ullswater Hotel is now directly across on the opposite shore ofthe lake) a path ascends diagonally up the hill to the right, initially a little indistinct but soon, obvious to follow. Quite steep in places but, because of this, height is gained very quickly with great views over Ullswater to Glenridding and the hills beyond (Helvellyn in mist).



Lost the path near the top of the steep section but soon found it again following a small stream (which may actually have been the the original path!).
Once levelled out the path divides and we took the right hand path leading up to the west of The Knight and heading directly for the summit. The summit itself is not visible until overcomming at least 2 false summits.

Having not met a sole on the ascent there were a few walkers on the top. The sun came out and we we able sat out the wind for lunch with Wainwright's book number two picking out all the tops we will need to conquer.
Descended on the main path heading south form the summit. No problems down to Boredale Hause and then a sharp right, back down to Patterdale. Thought about taking in Angletarn Pikes but with sun now out on Boredale Hause a sit down and contemlpation of the view was a far better option.


Total time for walk 4hrs 30mns


Memories :

• View from summit seeing veils of rain to the east and west with dark clouds but keeping dry ourselves.
• 2 RAF Tornadoes heading for us over Brothers Water the suddenly splitting one heading over Ullswater and the other, almost in touching distance, down Boredale
• Sitting in sunshine on Boredale Hause

Overall rating: Excellent



Completed 5 To Go 209