Great Dodd and Clough Head

An warm very sunny day for this super trudge over moorland taking in 2 summits. We parked just beyond Dockray and High Row, a lot of mountain bikers around here, and took the old coach road to Groove beck before heading up the long path direct to Great Dodd. A long gentle climb with varying degrees of bog underfoot, in some places, from personal experience, ready to suck in any boot that tried to cross it. It was hard to believe that the sky was so clear with bright sunshine and having left my sun hat at home was thankful the suncream was still in the pack. Although quite out if the way at the end of the Helvellyn ridge there were several parties of people both ascending and descending.
It took a while to get to the top where we able to shelter from the strengthening wind to have lunch but still with crystal a clear sky and views.




An amazing contrast of vistas on this walk, initially looking back over the Ullswater hills and Place fell etc. and suddenly, on attaining the summit. the grand spectacle of all the northern hills open out to the west and Skiddaw and Blencathra majestically rising up to the north throughout the walk
From the summit we headed down to Calfhow Pike looking over the steep northern slopes, and the up to Clough Head, meeting, quite unexpectedly, a colleague coming the other way. After Clough Head the track took us down to White Pike where we left the path and headed sown the eastern slopes to joint the Old Coach Road and a nice stroll back to the car.

Time 5 hours 15 minutes

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Gorgeous weather and views
• Moorland walking

Completed 91 To go 123

The Knott, Rampsgill Head, High Raise and Kidsty Pike

We had planned to park at the car park at the top of the Hamlet of Hartsop but, as it often thw case, the car park was full so drove down to the car park under Low Wood on the A592. A straightforward walk up through Hartsop and along the track to the right of Hayeswater Gill up to the reservoir. The path on the map crossing the gill a few hundred meters below Hayeswater did not seem to exist, the obvious route was up to Hayeswater and cross the gill at its source. The forecast for the da was for clear but windy. So far, which remained all day, it was clear but not windy.
The route up to the Knott was an easy slog up the fell to the east joining the path form Satura Crag and then on to the summit of The Knott. A little more wind here so we came off the summit and sheltered behind the wall for our lunch. Next stop was Rampsgill Head. Despite the clear weather and pretty good path I decided to practice compass skills over the moorland on the top - so the conversation was a little lacking (but navigation was excellent!). From Rampsgill Head the route to High Raise was obvious as was the next leg from High Raise to Kidsty Pike. Good views all round, down to Hawswater, across to the head of the Kentmere round and of course, over to High Street.
After Kidsty Pike we kept to the south of Rampsgill Head summit eventually to joint the path coming down from High Street. We toyed with the idea of doing High Street as well, which would have been possible, but the time was drawing on and the weather looked as though it may deteriorate so we descended via the same route we had come up to get to the car, boots off etc, just as the rain started

Time 4 hours 30mns

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Sunny early autumnal day
• Quietness of Hayeswater
• Excellent visibility

Completed 89 To go 125

Great Cockup and Meal Fell

On our trip to Nepal 3 years ago we trekked half of the Annarpurna Circuit. Today not only we did the complete circuit of Great Cockup but,as an added bonus, we took in the summit of Great Cockup and Meal Fell. On top of this, we did it despite a great navigational cockup.

Starting from Ornthwaite the plan was to do an anticlockwise circuit to Tusmadoor , climb Meal Fell the return over the top of Great Cockup and down the western ridge.

It was a surprisingly sunny day although a little cold in the gentle breeze when the sun went behind the clouds. We started late morning just as WCOC were finishing an orienteering event on the hill. We followed the track from Ornthwaite keeping low under Brockle Crag then started to head up and contour the hill keeping just above the wall above Brocklecrag farm. The idea was to head up the hill near the end of the wall and joint the path leading east to Trusmadoor. The path heading direct up the hill was easy to follow and before we new it we were on the summit ridge,

hence the change of plan.

Great views over Over water to the Solway Firth and beyond to the north and the Skidaw range to the south.

We followed the broad ridge to Great Cockup summit then descended to Trusmadoor followed by a steepish but easy ascent of Meal Fell. Leaving Meal fell directly south we joined another path back to Trosmadoor then instead if returning on the south side of Great Cockup decided to complete the circuit winding our way on an initially easy path then, less distinct paths, seeing the orienteering controls being collected, and eventually the main path on the northern slopes of Great Cockup back to Ornthwaite.

Time 4 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Missing the initial path to Trusmadoor
• Great views across Solway Firth and to the Skidaw range
• Orienteering event

Completed 85 To go 129