Black Fell

This was another walk on the lower fells which surpassed expectations. We decided to take in Tarn Hows and parked at the southern end in the National Trust car park. Another sunny but windy day we walked with the masses around the western side of the tarn. An outdoor art exhibition (FRED) was being held in throughout Cumbria and one of the exhibits, a large floating feather, "Feather Flotsam", was at Tarn Hows. It really looked so natural floating on the water. Not at all out of place and at different times looking like a feather or a swan. It certainly was stimulating much comment from the passers by.

We left the main path at its northern end over a style following the Cumbria Way (we were on this in the north lakes yesterday) to meet the main track heading between Oxen Fell and Borwick Lodge. We turned right on the track for a short spell and then left it heading left trough the Iron Keld plantation, most of which had been cleared. Once leaving the boundary wall of the plantation a path (no marked on our map) immediately headed up the hill to the right and proceeded effortlessly to the summit.
The vista across to the western hill along this path was dramatic. Crystal clear lighting showed off the dramatic Wetherlam, Crinkles, Bow Fell and Langdales etc to their magnificent best. From the summit the contrasting picture to the east was of the softer lakeland hills of the Kentmere and Fairfield ranges (from this angle) the distant Pennine hills and the lakes of Windermere and Esthwaite water. To the south Tarn Hows and it's feather was in view. We spent the best part of an hour up here, visiting both cairns and relaxing in the sun before retracing our steps and completing the circuit of Tarn Hows.

Time 3 hours
Memories

• FRED (the white feather)
• Mountain views

Grade Excellent

Completed 64 To Go 150