From our base, Meadow Cottage in Staveley, it took us the best part of two hours to reach the start point at Woodhow Farm at the southern end of Wastwater. However the incredible views as we drove from Broughton, over Ulpha Fell to Eskdale more than made up for the length of the journey. The sky was clear and the panorama of the southern Lakeland fells was breathtaking.
Not being familiar with the Wastwater fells we decided to explore the tops above the Wastwater Screes. The walk starts through an old iron kissing gate immediately opposite Woodhow farm. The path descends to the river and after a short distance crosses a delightful stone bridge. Now following the south bank of the river we were bathed in glorious sunshine and decided to stop for lunch (only 10 minutes into the walk). Such a peaceful sunny spot we could have spent all afternoon relaxing, but there were some hills to be climbed. Taking the path towards the fell we headed for the left bank of Greathall Gill, up across a meadow and then over a stile in the wall.
Here the main ascent begins through the bracken on a good path, steep but at all time incredibly
satisfying as Wastwater and the surrounding hills gradually come into view. From the valley was sound of tree felling in the background with the buzz of chainsaw followed by the creak and clunk of the trees as they fell. We soon gained the ridge, after a couple of stops on the way up and our first summit was now not far heading north east along the ridge. There are 2 possible cairns on Whinn Rigg indicating the summit. We had already decided to return by the same route so bagged the western top an the way up and the eastern top on the way back. The route to Illgill Head along western edge of the summit ridge was spectacular with all the exhilaration of shear drops down to Watwater on your left and the safety of flat moorland on your right. On the top of Illgill Head, it is imperative to follow Wainwright's advice and walk 35 yards eastwards form the cairn (no more or you are over the edge!) an admire the stunning scenery. We could see what wonderful walks we had in sroe over the Mosedale horseshoe an other tops to the northwest of Wastwater.
We took the more direct path back to Whinn Rig, this time the views were different, over the
Furness fells and the Irish Sea, but no less spectacular. Descending back to the valley, clouds were beginning to form over western hills making Yewbarrow, Gable and Pillar ,which on the way up were sunny and inviting, now much more menacing.
Not being familiar with the Wastwater fells we decided to explore the tops above the Wastwater Screes. The walk starts through an old iron kissing gate immediately opposite Woodhow farm. The path descends to the river and after a short distance crosses a delightful stone bridge. Now following the south bank of the river we were bathed in glorious sunshine and decided to stop for lunch (only 10 minutes into the walk). Such a peaceful sunny spot we could have spent all afternoon relaxing, but there were some hills to be climbed. Taking the path towards the fell we headed for the left bank of Greathall Gill, up across a meadow and then over a stile in the wall.
Here the main ascent begins through the bracken on a good path, steep but at all time incredibly
satisfying as Wastwater and the surrounding hills gradually come into view. From the valley was sound of tree felling in the background with the buzz of chainsaw followed by the creak and clunk of the trees as they fell. We soon gained the ridge, after a couple of stops on the way up and our first summit was now not far heading north east along the ridge. There are 2 possible cairns on Whinn Rigg indicating the summit. We had already decided to return by the same route so bagged the western top an the way up and the eastern top on the way back. The route to Illgill Head along western edge of the summit ridge was spectacular with all the exhilaration of shear drops down to Watwater on your left and the safety of flat moorland on your right. On the top of Illgill Head, it is imperative to follow Wainwright's advice and walk 35 yards eastwards form the cairn (no more or you are over the edge!) an admire the stunning scenery. We could see what wonderful walks we had in sroe over the Mosedale horseshoe an other tops to the northwest of Wastwater.We took the more direct path back to Whinn Rig, this time the views were different, over the
Furness fells and the Irish Sea, but no less spectacular. Descending back to the valley, clouds were beginning to form over western hills making Yewbarrow, Gable and Pillar ,which on the way up were sunny and inviting, now much more menacing.Time 4 hrs 30 mns
Memories
Memories
- Wonderful weather for late September
- Spectacular Wastwater fells
Grade Excellent
Completed 55 To Go 159
No comments:
Post a Comment