Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick

We just managed to get a parking place at Troutbeck church. Our route was to ascend to Garburn Pass via the Garburn road, an easy gentle ascent. The we took the track bearing left onto the open fell and headed north for our first summit of Yoke. After a gentle descent then steeper climb we were on Ill Bell. The descent off Ill Bell towards Froswick is very eroded much more so that I remember from last time I was here (many years ago). However we were soon down on the col and a short climb to the top of Froswick.

The weather was ideal for walking. Initially the tops were in cloud but by the time we had ascended the cloud had lifted and there was a refreshing breeze. 

We descended form the col between Froswick and Thornthwaite Crag. down to the track of the old Roman Road when we were caught by a heavy shower. We followed Hagg Gill on our right with Troutbeck Tongue on our left, crossed Ing Bridge to Town Head and then crossed the main road to take the path across the fields back to the church.

Time 6hrs

Looking back near end of walk

Memories                                                                             

•     Long but leisurely walk
•     Eroded descent form Ill Bell
•     Views of the Kentemere Valley and the full horseshoe

Grade Excellent

Completed 125  To Go  29

(High Street and) Mardale Ill Bell

Staying alert we arrived at Mardale Head car park at 9.00am to find it full apart form one space. The forecast was excellent for the day which had, understandably, attracted walkers to get out early.
We set off after a quick coffee at the car, no more 'coffee shops on the way'.
Skirting round the head of the reservoir towards The Rigg the path took us up to the crest of the ridge, just above the small wood and then we headed  due west straight up the ridge with Riggindale to the north and Blea Water to the south. Gorgeous views of Hawsewater appeared across the wall as we ascended. The ridge walk is excellent, a mixture undulating grassy knolls and steeper rocky outcrops, but never difficult. The pleasant breeze became stronger and cooler nearer the summit requiring us to shelter for an early lunch just before the final push to the summit of High Street with its vista across to the other Lakeland fells. From here an easy walk across to Mardale Ill Bell then a stony descent on a good path from Nan Bield  back to the car passing Small Water on the right with wild swimmers in the wtaer and on sunbathers on the shore.


Time 6 hrs

Memories

• Gorgeous weather with a stiff breeze on top
• Good to get a change from the confines of lockdown
• Excellent ridge walk

Grade  Excellent

Completed 182 Go go 32

Loadpot Hill and Wether Hill

After another long spell away from our aim to complete all the Wainwrights we finally had got back on track, just before the coronavirus lockdown.

Loadpot Hill

This walk started at Martindale church. We took the path behind the church and skirted the base of Steel Knotts to commence the walk up Fusedale. It was a lovely sunny day but rather a fresh wind. A nice easy walk up by Fusedale beck the after crossing Grove Gill heading up to the shallow coll between our two summits. First a left turn up the easy path to Loadpot Hill. A featureless summit but gorgeous views on a very clear day. Then a retrace of our steps down to the col and then the short ascent up to Wether Hill summit.

From here we carried on south for a short spell then headed down west then north west, eventually finding the path heading for the ruins noted by Wainwright. We then took the path skirting the west slopes of Steel Knotts, rather than retracing our steps down Fusedale, down to the road at Martindale then a short way up to the church and the car.

Time   4hr 30mns

Memories: 

First new Wainwright walk for 30 months

Last for a while whist in lockdown

Sunny but cold wind

Very few people out

Grade Excellent

Completed 181 To go 33

Arthurs Pike, Bonscale Pike

Parked at Roehead just outside Pooley Bridge. An easy track to follow on the Ullswater way, via the Cockpit stone circle across to Aik Beck the up the track directly to Arthurs Pike. The summit is just to the right of the main path. From here we tromped over to Bonscale Pike and retraced our steps to Arthurs Pike cairn stopping for lunch at Swarth Beck. We then headed down the hill to the west to the lower cairn with great views over Ullswater and then turned north on the track over White Knott to meet the path we came up on at Aik Beck.
Weather was warm at lower levels but quite a breeze higher up.

Time 4 hrs

Memories

Back on Wainwright challenge after nearly a year off
Gentle ascent
Good views down to Ullswater

Completed 179 To go 35

Hen Combe

Parked outside Loweswater by the telephone kiosk which now houses a Community Heartbeat Trust Community Public Access Defibrillator. The first park of the walk followed the same route as our walk up Mellbreak. We had no problem crossing Mosedale Beck.

Mosedale Beck

Having gained the ridge by following the wall on our left, we walked up to the summit. Descent was by retracing our steps. A lovely walk for my 60th birthday and to put icing on the cake we saw a red squirrel scuttling across the road and up a tree on out way back to the car


Time 3 hrs

Memories

60th Birthday Walk
Red Squirrel on way back to car
Gentle afternoon walk



Completed 177 To go 37

Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike (Shipman Knotts)

Time 5 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Flock of Rough Fell sheep 
• Views down Haweswater from Harter Gully
• Cloud free summits and clear views to the West

Completed 176 To go 38

Haweswater from Harter Gully

Herdwick

High Raise, Sergeant's Crag, Eagle Crag

Fleetwith Pike from Eagle Crag

View down Greenup Gill from Lining Crag

Time 7 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Long walk
• Pathless descent from High Raise
• Good clear views across all the fells
• Completed Central Fells

Completed  174 To go 40