Great Borne and Starling Dodd

 Our initial plan today was to climb Haycock and Caw Fell. However we arrived at the Bowness car park to find it shut due to forestry work. Luckily we managed to find a parking spot on the road right opposite the start of the walk up Great Borne so we decided this would be an ideal alternative. 

The path started up Rake Beck the soon we took a left hand fork crossed the beck contoured round a short way and then started the climb up to the western ridge of Herdus. A good path all the way with no difficulties. It was quite a haul up to Herdus with an unexpected strong wind blowing however once the steep section was over the walking became easier, the wimd lessened and the sun shone. Perfect weather.

From Herdus we continued the path down then up to Great Borne. The views across to the Grasmoor fells were fantastic, indeed all around the views were amazing, the hill to the south and east silhouetted aginst the blue sky, light clouds and haze.

    

Starling Dodd looked some distance away but following the path by the fence from Great Borne and then cutting across the moorland,  we were soon standing on the summit. We dropped down slightly to a sheltered spot for lunch and distinctly hear sheep dogs and shepherds in the valley below.

The way down was to follow the path towards Red Pike but leave it for the summit of  Little Dodd then contour round  the top of Gilflinter Beck to join the path down from Red Pike. We were fortunate to find a path not marked on the OS map.

The drop down to the valley was enhanced by the wonderful views up the Ennerdale Valley with Gable at its head, Pillar, Steeple and Scout Fell on the opposite side and for the icing on the cake, an opportunity to soak my feet in the crystal clear water as the path down crossed the beck.

It was a longish walk back to the car along the forest track but well worth it after a fantastic day on the hills

Time  7 hrs 

Memories

• Fantastic weather again , mid to late September
• View up Ennerdale valley
• Soaking my feet in the cold clear water on the way down

Completed 192 To go 22

Dale Head

A lovely quick up and down form Hosister pass.  Previously we have been up Brandereth directly from Honister so this time we thought we would ascend the hillside opposite. A very warm day for mid September. The route is easy, the path follows the fence up the hillside then continues in the same direction after the fence comes to a halt. It was good to see the Honister slate mine so busy and we soon lost the noise from it as we ascended.

A long lunch on top in  the sun with welcoming soft breeze and great views across to the high hills to the south , albeit slightly hazy and down  the Newlands valley to the north. I suggest a stroll along to Hindscarth but was overruled as our time schedule would not allow it.

Dale Head summit

View across Honister

Newlands Valley

Time 2 hrs 30mns

Memories 

• Hot sunny day - mid September
• Busy including the summit of Dale Head
• Views across the fells mentally following routes of future walks

Grade  Excellent

Completed 190  To go 24

Crinkle Crags

We  managed to get a space a t the Old Dungeon Ghyll NT car park  at 8.30 am with no problem, despite all the campervans being there. We were aim to follow the route we have previously taken up Crinkle Crags via Oxendale and Red Tarn. We were not prepared for the fact there was no bridge over Oxendale beck and although the beck, which was quite full of water, was potentially crossable over the boulders, the though of spending the rest of the with wet feet was not very appealing so a change of plan and we decided on the route up Hell Gill.  

It is a fantastic route with great views of the waterfall with plunge pool and further up looking into Hell Gill itself. There were no real problems although the path was eroded in places.

                                            

Once above the the menacing looking Hell Gill it was a straightforward walk  up to the top of The Band and the Three Tarns The weather  up to now was just right for walking , coolish, sheltered from the wind and mist coming and going but the tops remaining clear.

As we traverse the Crinkles from the three tarns and the wind got up and the temperature dropped dramatically.  However once on the summit at Long Top we found a sheltered spot for lunch. The same as last time we were up here, the views across to the Scafells was awe-inspiring.

The route back was by retracing our steps towards Bowfell then down The Band back to the valley floor.

Time  7hrs 30mns

Memories

• No bridge over Oxendale led to a great route
• View across to the Scafells
• Windchill of 1deg C on top

Grade     Excellent

Completed 189  To go 25