Sale Fell and Whinlatter (Two seperate walks)

5th November 2007

Two separate walks today.

Set off from our base in Staveley with low cloud rain and wind. As we headed north up the A591 the showers became heavier and more prolonged. A short walk up Sale Fell seemed ideal then to a cosy tea shop in Kewick.
Parked near the small St Margarets Church on the road between the Pheasant Inn and Wythop Mill. The rain stopped as we got out of the car but we donned full waterproofs in preparation. Left the butties in the car as we weren’t planning being out in the rain for too long. Took the path signposted to Kelswick up to a wall on the fell then turned left to contour round. Best to keep to the lower paths rather than heading up too soon into the disused Quarry. The weather brightened as we turned south by the woods and soon we were stripping off our layers wondering where the rain had gone. On reaching a gate in a wall we headed upwards keeping the wall on out left until noticing a direct grassy path up to the summit. Still sunny but no clear views in the distance. However looking down into Wythop Beck and across to Ling Fell was a peaceful unspoilt valley, an area of the Lake District new to us and probably one we would not have visited but for our decision to walk the Wainwright summits.
Took the obvious grassy track south off the summit back to the wall we had previously left and followed it down to Kelswick farm with the beautiful valley below us. A contour round Dodd crag soon took us back to the car, unbelievably still in fine weather. As soon as we opened our sandwiches in the car, the rain came lashing down again – couldn’t believe our luck.

The weather improved again as we started to head south back to Keswick. A decision to be made; either another walk in the afternoon to Whinlatter, or a visit to Keswick to browse more ‘crap shops’. Here I have to explain the terminology ‘crap shop’. This is a name we have given to all the shops around the tourist centres of the Lakes and elsewhere, bulging with items labelled as' crafts', which are of absolutely no use to anyone and are obviously mass produced as they appear time and time again. They are sold in shops which also sell soaps, candles etc the smell of which overpower anyone who enters the shop.
Fortunately, the former option won the day and we drove up to the top of Whinlatter pass and followed Wainwrght’s route, very well illustrated, through the forest taking the second turning on the left from the initial forest path to the forest boundary. Then over a stile and steeply right up the hill then left along the top to the summit. Walking up the forest road we were fortunate to see a Roe deer bound across the track a few yards in front of us.
Wonderful views across to Grisedale Pike, the distinctive Causey Pike and the peaks extending from it. The weather now fine with most of the tops out of the mist.
Returned by the same route and treated ourselves to tea at the Whinlatter centre.

Time Sale Fell One hour 15 minutes
Whinlatter One hour 30 minutes

Grade Excellent for both short walks

Memories Extremely lucky with the weather

Completed 16 To Go 198