Shipman Knotts

9 months since our last Wainwright top it was great to get out for a short walk on a wintry Sunday in December. Te forecast was for wintry showers and there had been quite a bit of snow further north. We drove along Longsleddale down to Sadgill ( which always seems most inappropriately named) and set off having out on all our waterproofs. As we climbed gently as though heading for Kentmere, above the farm we were soon aware of group of people on the path and as we approached, realised there was a convoy of 6 Landrovers heading over the track to Kentmere , "Off Roading" Unfortunately, for one of them, the track was too rocky and steep and we stood to witness this group of people watching on of the 4x4's attempting to get over this hurdle, wheels skidding and engine revving. it was all to no avail, the section could not be passed so, as the toe ropes were being organised, we walked passed glad we were on two feet. Soon, at the col, as the main track heeded towards the Kentmere valley, we took the obvious track heading north towards our summit, Shipman Knotts. Quite rocky in place and very boggy we headed up always keeping to the left hand side of the wall. As we reached the first hump the View over to the Kentmere Horseshoe open up before us, covered with snow, a fantastic wintry vista. Even better, beyond Yoke and Ill Bell were thick dark clouds depositing their snowy contents over the fells. This was inevitably heading for us. Not deterred we headed on on and soon found ourselves in an exhilarating snowstorm with visibility down to less than 50 meters. Navigation was no problem as the path was clear and the wall was always to our left. However the ground, which was slippery before with the rain was now even more slippery when covered with a thin layer of snow. After about 5 minute the storm passed, the view returned and we climbed our way to the summit.

Feeling fresh we though it would be good to proceed to Kentmere Pike but a few hundred yard after setting off the wind got the clouds again looked menacing and the ground underfoot was extremely boggy. We made the decision to return the way we had ascended, this time keeping to the right of the wall being careful not to drop into Kentemere.

Once out of the wind we stopped for a sandwich and welcome flask of coffee.

On returning to Sadgill the rain came down but the tops maintained their snowy blanket ending a truly great December outing

Time 2 hrs 45mins

Grade Excellent

Memories

• The 4x4 stuck trying to drive over to Kentmere
• An exhilarating snow storm
• Good to start ticking off the Wainwrights again

Completed 113 To go 101

High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells

A great circular walk form Grange, starting along the Allerdale Ramble heading south towards Seatoller, passing the base of Castle Crag. The whether was dull and the peaks to our right enshrouded in mist. On reaching Tongue Gill we crossed it and headed up the left hand bank through the disused quarries with several mine entrances leading deep into the hillside. (This is actually an assumption because we did not explore them and it is possible they only extended 100m or so.) At the top of the quarries instead of crossing the style and heading for Dalehead tarn, we aimed for aniother style at the corner of the wall junction and headed toward Wilson Bield. We were now in thick mist and with an indistinct path took a bearing on our first summit, High Spy which we was reached without difficulty. It was now a matter of a long gentle up and down ridge walk to our next to summits of Maiden Moor and the Cat Bells. The mist was now lifting an the ridge opened before us into the distance, some wisps of cloud lingering in the Borrowdale valley below. There were impressive views across to Causey Pike and Ard Crags (where we had been the previous day) and the steep drop on the western side towards Hindscarth. From Maiden Moor we descended to Hause Gate then a quick ascent of Cat Bells and back down to Hause Gate before returning to Grange. Only two or three people on Cat Bells this time - not the usual throngs of folk in the the summer. Despite it's size the views from the summit are tremendous.

Time 5hrs 30mns
Grade Excellent
Memories

• Varying degrees of visibilty form thick mist to clear views


• Long but gentle ridge walk

Completed 112 To go 102

Knott Rigg, Ard Crags

A fine small round from Keskadale farm. Previously we had head straight up the ridge of Knot Rigg from the farm but his decided to take the path on the western flank amongst the heather, indistinct at times but with no difficulties (apart from getting of the road initially; you need to climb the side of the hill from the lowest bend in the road, as there is no access from the farm buildings opposite the main farm). On reaching the main path the dreaded double beep of a text message arrived. There followed a discussion of whether this should be deal with immediately or ignored. Should the phone even be switched on when out on the fells? Fortunately this time we decided to look at the message, which turned out to be very important - but meant the phone was in and out of the rucksack like a yo-yo for the rest of the walk. The weather was cloudy on the main tops but clear for us with an almost serene but sultry feel despite not being too warm. This little ridge can be classed as one of the Lake District's mini mountains. It has that feel walking between Knot Rigg and Ard Crags, its larger brother CauseyPike and Crag Hill looming above on the left with a group of walkers traversing the ridge like a line of ants. The descent from Knot Rigg was down the steepish ridge heading for the Newlands valley and then we turned back on ourselves following the the wall to reach a gate and access back onto the road. Time 3hrs Grade Excellent Memories

• Excellent mini ridge walk

Completed 109 To go 105

Lonscale fell

Spring has arrived! We started this pleasant walk from the car park between Latrigg and Skidaw and set off up the Skiddaw motorway taking the second exit to reach our summit. The first exit from the motorway was the Cumbrian Way, our intended return route, the second exit, , was keeping to the path heading along above the left flank of Whit beck, following the wall as the pain path veered right. This led to the broad saddle between Lonscale fell and Little Man. Deep bright blue skies were above us and few people around, a perfect walk to get half way in our mission to complete all the Wainwrights. After lingering for lunch at the col, the slight breeze became a little chilly we continued right along the fence and broken wall were soon on the summit admiring the clear views across the whole of the lake district fells. A paraglider gracefully swung back and to above us. The descent was along the top of Lonscale Crags. A short detour to look over into Glenderaterra Beck was well worth while with stunning views of the softer side of Blencathra. Out of the wind on the descent the warmth of the early spring sunshine beckoned a rest sitting on the moorland admiring the vista. It took no time to reach the Cumbrian Way and head back to the car park. Time 2hrs 30ms Grade Excellent Memories

• Deep blue skies contrasting the brown hillside


• Lovely early spring walk to complete half of our summits

Completed 107 To go 107