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

Arnison Crag, Birks and St Sunday Crag

A very wet drive to Patterdale with thoughts that our planned walk may have to be altered. However things improved as we started, despite leaving the maps at home and the expense of (yet another) OS map from the local store. Our route took us round the back of the Patterdale Hotel and then, on reaching a wall heading up towards Arnison crag reaching the rocky summit in sunshine. A nice stoll then, parallel to but high above the wall to our right reachin Tongue Head and then the ascent up to Birks and on to St Sunday Crag. By now the weather had changed, very windy in the mist so not a place to linger. We descended direct to Paterdale folowing the track on the north flank of the ridge we had ascended with views back across to Arnison Crag

Time 5 hrs 30mns

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Sunny, rocky top of Arnison Crag


• Windy and misty on Summit of St Sunday Crag

Completed 106 to go 108

Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag

A beautiful autumn day we set off from the Fish Inn and, a last minute decision, decided instead of ascending Red Pike directly we would go via Scales Falls avoiding the scree up the eastern ridge near the summit. Beautiful views in warm sunshine as we headed north by Crummock Water but underfoot was hard going with bog and boulders for a good part of the way. We had underestimated the time it would take us to get to the waterfall, just over one hour. The path up the side of Scale Beck was initially good but very little in the way of views of the Force, much hidden by trees. As the steep section ended the path became very bouldery again and a walking rhythm was difficult to establish until we bared left and headed up the track to the summit ridge. From here Red Pike impressively towered above us and although already tired we followed the path along the ridge, which kept very close to the sheer drops on the west, and the up to the summit. Still glorious weather but like yesterday quite a strong and cold wind. High Stile beckoned to the south the path again keeping very close to the edge. We stopped for lunch just before the final ascent to the summit. Initially the lower High Crag was not visible but a quick compass reading soon put us right, the top we were on was marked at 806m the actual summit was 807m slightly north west. From here the long undulating ridge to High Crag was now obvious. The sky still clear, the details of the rock Pillar to our right were completely silhouetted out as the strong sun beamed from behind the bulk of the mountain. The views across to the Scafells were awesome. We knew from previous walks that the descent of High Crag down Gamlin End was steep scree. However the laid path to the left side of the scree made things much easier and we were soon down at Scarth Gap then Buttermere. This time although tired we had a lovely walk back to the Fish Inn along the shore of the lake.

Time 7 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Long walk in


• Excellent ridge walk


• Glorious autumn day

Completed 103 To go 111

Fleetwith Pike and Hay Stacks (100)

Who could go to Buttermere without aspiring to climb the North Ridge of Fleetwith Pike rising sharply form Gatesgarth at the southern end of the lake? Many years ago we climbed this ridge with our children in the mist. a few hundred feet from the top we met a party coming down, not sure where they heading. They asked my son (aged about 8) where we had started from. Informatively he answered "down there" pointing down the path disappearing onto the mist! Today there was no mist, good visibility but a gusty wind. The ascent involves some mild scrambling but is at no tome difficult. After a couple of 'false tops' we eventually reached the summit. Instead of heading straight down towards Hay Stacks we carried along the cliff edge to the top of Honister crag where there is talk of put a zip wire down to Honister path. Not sure if a decision has been made yet but if it gets the go ahead I hope it is done very sensitively without scarring the views of the crag from afar. Evidence of workings in the Honister slate mine soon became apparent as we descended to Dubs Quarry, a bright yellow digger perched on top of a mound of slate, which could obviously been seen for miles around. Crossing the stream was not as easy as expected but soon we we heading up passed Blackbeck tarn, with superb views down Blackbeck along the Buttermere Valley, to the famous Innominate tarn, where we had a late lunch stop. Finally we climbed up onto the summit of Hay Stacks a milestone in our quest, the 100th summit. The wind was now quite blustery and we took care picking our way down, again with some mild scrambling, north towards Scarth Gap and then down the main path to Buttermere and Gatesgarth

Time 6 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories

• 100th Summit


• Fleetwith Pike ridge ascent


• Crossing Warnscale beck!


• Views cross to Gables, Scafell and across Ennerdale

Completed 100 To go 114