Walla Crag

Parked at the car park at Ashness Bridge just south of Keswick to the east of Derwentwater. It was a cold, gloomy with a biting wind, so not sure how far we would manage, but Walla Crag was the main aim. In full winter attire we crossed back over Ashness Bridge and immediately took the path contouring the hill north and soon bearing right following a path up towards the skyline. Easily followed quite rocky in places and patches of ice underfoot, lethal for the unwary! We soon gained height and reached the moorland above Falcon crag with Walla crag visible to the north.
The patches of ice were more evident several time necessitating a short detour off the path.

At the junction with the path up to Bleaberry fell we felt, on the return, it would make a great day to take in Bleaberry fell and High Seat before returning to the car park. Enthused we headed to Walla Crag the biting wind getting colder and stronger. Although a dull day, the views across Derwentwater to Cat Bells , Causey Pike and beyond were forever changing. Sometimes a shaft of sunlight would brighten up the fell side. At other times dull and misty with hills barely visible.

On Walla Crag the wind was strengthening and with the dark clouds and low temperatures the atmosphere was becoming less inviting. Looking back across to Bleaberry fell the scene was reminiscent of a Scottish wilderness landscape albeit on a smaller scale.

Retracing our route to the path junction her was some shelter form the wind and with plenty of daylight left we decided to head up towards Bleaberry fell fully aware that it may be the wrong decision. To our left a couple were having great fun throwing themselves on to a long sheet of ice, sliding down the hillside on their backsides then returning to the top to have another go. It wasn't long, as we reached Brown Knots, before we realised that once out of the shelter of the hillside the wind was far to strong to continue. The mist was rolling in across the moorland and we made the decision to retrace our steps back to the original path and call it a day.

As we descended with the Ashness Bridge in sight the sun broke thorough the clouds and we managed to sit to have lunch watching the changing colours of the hills opposite.

Time 2 hrs 45 minutes

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Wintry atmosphere
• Couple enjoying the ice

Completed 70 To go 144