Steel Knotts (Pikeawassa)

Ullswater

It was great to have both our son and daughter with us on this walk. Our son in law unfortunately had to be at work. The rendezvous point was Pooley Bridge from where we got the steamer across to Howtown for the start of the walk. A day with intermittent sun and clouds and a coolish breeze especially on the lake. Our route from Howtown was  to walk up through the village towards Fusedale. On entering the open access land we turned right, heading towards Martindale, then found the path up the north ridge of Steel Knotts, not easy to locate with the high bracken. However there was a definite path to follow and a steepish ascent soon got us up above the bracken onto the open fell and the first summit. The view north to Ullswater with the sailing dingies was stunning,

Steel Knott Ridge

It was then an easy ridge walk along to Pikeawassa with good view all around, in particular across to where we had been the previous week on Raise and Stybarrow Dodd. A peaceful relaxing lunch at the top was interrupted only by Stephen arranging a golfing event for his friends over his mobile phone. This was the second walk in succession one of my companions, not mentioning any other names, had been in conversation on their phones when on the hill. I will have to discourage this in the future. From the summit we carried on the path southeasterly to Brownthwaite crag and then to the head of Fusedale before the track to the right headed up to Wether Hill. We descended form here, down Fusedale back to Howtown and a cup of tea in the sunshine at |the Howtown Hotel before getting the steamer back to Pooley Bridge.

Time  2hrs 45mns
Grade Excellent
Memoreis

• A day out with out daughter and son 
• Easy but very rewarding walk.

Completed 128 To go 86

Stybarrow Dodd, Watsons Dodd, Raise, White Side

We started the walk, leaving the hustle and bustle of Grenridding car park, and were soon by ourselves, with only the noise of the beck to our left,  walking along the track to the YHA. A well signed track then took us  zig-zagging easily and pleasantly upwards, despite the fact we were climbing through the old mineworks, and in no time at all we were entering the flat basin looking west towards Sticks Pass and east to Sheffield Pike.

The weather was excellent, a high cloud cover, not too warm and a coolish breeze. Excellent views opened out across to Striding Edge, Catstye Cam and the Helvellyn range.  The purple heather was just beginning to carpet the hillside. Having stopped for lunch just before Sticks Pass we discussed the route once on the ridge. Our original plan was to walk over Raise and Whiteside then back down. On attaining the pass the view  across the western lakeland fells was breathtaking. The clarity made each mountain range to the west easily identifiable. From Blencathra and Skidaw in the north then, working south, to Grisedale Pike and the Grasmoor hills, onto the Buttermere hills with Pillar glistening in a ray of sunshine, on further to the unmistakeable Gable then a clear view of Scafell  Pike,  sweeping south to Bow Fell, Crinkle Crags and the Coniston fells.


White Side and Lower Man from Raise

It was such an superb feeling on the ridge that we decided to extend the route and take in the tops of Stybarrow Dodd and Watsons Dodd. So, we headed north  to the former, the summit being just right of the main path, then down and across marshy ground to Watsons Dodd looking down over the lowly High Rigg over to Keswick. Retracing our steps to Sticks Pass it was a simple haul up to Raise and then on to White Side. Lower Man and Helvellyn looked temptingly close as did the small specks of people traversing Striding Edge. However, it was time to descend the easy path down, passing Kepple Cove down to the right, to the YHA  and then back to Glenridding for a welcomed cup of tea.


Time 6hrs 30 mns

Grade  Excellent

Memories

• Excellent visability and views
• Perfect walking weather

Completed 127  To go 87