Middle Fell, Seatallan and Buckbarrow

It had been a while since we had visited the Wasdale area. We stopped for our now regulation pre walk coffee at the bakery in Broughton on the way (highly recommended). The route for this walk was to start up the Greendale path, then veer off up the path to Middle Fell. the tracks were easy to follow and no problems encountered. The weather was warm and dry but very hazy looking over to the Wastwater Screes.
Dropping down off Middle Fell to the col between this and Seatallan we stopped for out lunch. The col was absolutely deserted, warm sunshine and great views. We spent some time here before starting the ascent of Seatallan head towards the Pots of Ashness col but before reaching this heading up the grassy slope to the north west ridge leading down from the summit. It was a bit of a slog up the grassy ridge but the summit was soon attained.

Seatallan from Cat Bield

The next top, Buckbarrow, seem a long way off in the distance but was soon reached descending the gentle path down the slope from Seatallan via Cat Bields and Glade How. Good views again over Wastwater and across to the Scafells.
We dropped down off Buckbarrow following the path down to Gill Beck and then back along the road to Greendale.

Time 5hrs  30mns
Grade  Excellent
Memories

• First warm sunny day of the year
• Beautiful picnic spot after descending Middle Fell

Completed 137  To go 77

Hart Side

We started from the quarry car park just SE of Dockray having stopped for a pre walk coffee at Aira Force.
The beginning and end of this walk was in very heavy rain, but thankfully cleared for the bulk of the day. So, in full waterproofs we headed up the path on the right hand side of the quarry, immediately confronted by wet slippery scrambling to get above the rocks onto a good path running by the wall under Round How and contouring round above Glencoyne Park with, despite the dull weather, grand views down to Ullswater.

The path left the wall, just after the lower path from Glencoyne joined us on the left, and headed across moorland under Brown Hills. When we met the wall running NW up the fell towards Birkett Fell we followed it to it's highest point and then across to the left tothe cairn on Birkett Fell, the only cairn I can remember which has a plaque with it's name on it. It was then an easy ascent to Hart Side summit which was clear of mist.
We had not decided on the route for descent, the possibilities being dropping down into Dockray then back along the road or to retrace our steps and descend into Glencoyne Park. Over our lunch, ont he way  back to Birkett Fell, we decided on the latter. The long path through Glencoyne was delightful despite the now incessant rain that had returned.

Time  4hrs 30mns
Grade Excellent
Memories

• Torrential rain at the start and end of the walk
• Did not meet a soul all day
• Picturesque Glencoyne

Completed 134  To go 80

Sergeant Man and Blea Rigg

Easdale Tarn

For some reason I had always wanted to do Sergeant Man from Grasmere so decided to link it in with a Traverse of Blea Rigg. A long easy walk in up Easdale to the tarn, a clump of daffodils on the far shore, Then straight on, skirting the tarn on our right and taking the well made path passing under Belles Knot. One section  involved an easy but unexpected scramble up the rocks. The peace was interrupted only by the sound of running water and the call of a shepherd to his dog rounding up the sheep higher up on the fell.

 

Langdale Pikes in the haze

After Belles Knot we ascended further with Codale Tarn coming into view on our right and soon reached the junction of paths leading to Blead Rigg, Sergeant Man and down to Stickle Tarn. A right turn at this junction led us upwards with out target soon standing out ahead of us. Views over to the Langdale Pikes were impressive but a general haze obliterated any detailed features.  The haze was a feature of the day. Over the whole country air quality was apparently poor including over the Cumbrian fells.

Having attained the first summit we considered the short trek to High Raise but weary legs and the knowledge of some distance back to Grasmere we decided to retrace our steps to the junction of paths. The shepherd was now over on the Langdale side of the fell still calling and whistling to his dog. We traversed the delightful Blea Rigg ridge before descending back to Easdale Tarn just after Blea Rigg summit. The hazey sun behind us peering over the Blea Crag. It was then the easy long trek retracing our steps to Grasmere village.

Time  6hrs 15mins

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Watching the skill of shepherd and sheep dog
• General dull haze all day
• Long walk in

Completed 133  To go 81