Harter Fell

Had previously climbed this with the scouts from the Eskdale valley so decided to climb the other side this time from the Duddon valley. A beautiful warm spring day, we started at Hinning Ho close and walked pleasantly through the wood up to Birks. the plan was to take the direct route up to the summit but tree clearing soon blocked the direct route and after contouring around for some time, having to relocate ourselves on the map , we eventually reached a style over the fence onto the open fell. From here it was an easy climb up to the summit crags with fantastic views across to Scafell and the Wastwater Fells.
We decided to descend along the northeast ridge passed the imposing Denning Crag to the forest boundary and then back to the car picking our way through the dead wood which again had been felled.

Time 4 hrs 30mns
Grade Excellent

Memories

• Spring weather
• Felled woodland blocking paths
  
  
  Completed 93 To go 121

Souther Fell

Over 6 months since did this walk and only just got round to writing it up. A wet day, we started in Mungrisdale and walked up the Gledermakin through very boggy terrain with Bannerdale Crags on our left and our target for the day Souther Fell on our right enshrouded in mist.
Once at the head of the valley we climbed the diagonal path to the top of Mousthwaite Comb and started the delightful small ridge along the summit of Souther Fell. The mist swirled around Bannerdale Crags giving an almost Alpine feel to the steep rocks opposite
Descended directly down toward Mungrisedale but no path direct to the village so decided to contour right and cross a field (probably not public access) to the road

Time 2hrs 30mns
Grade Excellent
Memories Wet
Mini alpine feels to views from ridge



Completed 92 To go 122

Great Dodd and Clough Head

An warm very sunny day for this super trudge over moorland taking in 2 summits. We parked just beyond Dockray and High Row, a lot of mountain bikers around here, and took the old coach road to Groove beck before heading up the long path direct to Great Dodd. A long gentle climb with varying degrees of bog underfoot, in some places, from personal experience, ready to suck in any boot that tried to cross it. It was hard to believe that the sky was so clear with bright sunshine and having left my sun hat at home was thankful the suncream was still in the pack. Although quite out if the way at the end of the Helvellyn ridge there were several parties of people both ascending and descending.
It took a while to get to the top where we able to shelter from the strengthening wind to have lunch but still with crystal a clear sky and views.




An amazing contrast of vistas on this walk, initially looking back over the Ullswater hills and Place fell etc. and suddenly, on attaining the summit. the grand spectacle of all the northern hills open out to the west and Skiddaw and Blencathra majestically rising up to the north throughout the walk
From the summit we headed down to Calfhow Pike looking over the steep northern slopes, and the up to Clough Head, meeting, quite unexpectedly, a colleague coming the other way. After Clough Head the track took us down to White Pike where we left the path and headed sown the eastern slopes to joint the Old Coach Road and a nice stroll back to the car.

Time 5 hours 15 minutes

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Gorgeous weather and views
• Moorland walking

Completed 91 To go 123

The Knott, Rampsgill Head, High Raise and Kidsty Pike

We had planned to park at the car park at the top of the Hamlet of Hartsop but, as it often thw case, the car park was full so drove down to the car park under Low Wood on the A592. A straightforward walk up through Hartsop and along the track to the right of Hayeswater Gill up to the reservoir. The path on the map crossing the gill a few hundred meters below Hayeswater did not seem to exist, the obvious route was up to Hayeswater and cross the gill at its source. The forecast for the da was for clear but windy. So far, which remained all day, it was clear but not windy.
The route up to the Knott was an easy slog up the fell to the east joining the path form Satura Crag and then on to the summit of The Knott. A little more wind here so we came off the summit and sheltered behind the wall for our lunch. Next stop was Rampsgill Head. Despite the clear weather and pretty good path I decided to practice compass skills over the moorland on the top - so the conversation was a little lacking (but navigation was excellent!). From Rampsgill Head the route to High Raise was obvious as was the next leg from High Raise to Kidsty Pike. Good views all round, down to Hawswater, across to the head of the Kentmere round and of course, over to High Street.
After Kidsty Pike we kept to the south of Rampsgill Head summit eventually to joint the path coming down from High Street. We toyed with the idea of doing High Street as well, which would have been possible, but the time was drawing on and the weather looked as though it may deteriorate so we descended via the same route we had come up to get to the car, boots off etc, just as the rain started

Time 4 hours 30mns

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Sunny early autumnal day
• Quietness of Hayeswater
• Excellent visibility

Completed 89 To go 125

Great Cockup and Meal Fell

On our trip to Nepal 3 years ago we trekked half of the Annarpurna Circuit. Today not only we did the complete circuit of Great Cockup but,as an added bonus, we took in the summit of Great Cockup and Meal Fell. On top of this, we did it despite a great navigational cockup.

Starting from Ornthwaite the plan was to do an anticlockwise circuit to Tusmadoor , climb Meal Fell the return over the top of Great Cockup and down the western ridge.

It was a surprisingly sunny day although a little cold in the gentle breeze when the sun went behind the clouds. We started late morning just as WCOC were finishing an orienteering event on the hill. We followed the track from Ornthwaite keeping low under Brockle Crag then started to head up and contour the hill keeping just above the wall above Brocklecrag farm. The idea was to head up the hill near the end of the wall and joint the path leading east to Trusmadoor. The path heading direct up the hill was easy to follow and before we new it we were on the summit ridge,

hence the change of plan.

Great views over Over water to the Solway Firth and beyond to the north and the Skidaw range to the south.

We followed the broad ridge to Great Cockup summit then descended to Trusmadoor followed by a steepish but easy ascent of Meal Fell. Leaving Meal fell directly south we joined another path back to Trosmadoor then instead if returning on the south side of Great Cockup decided to complete the circuit winding our way on an initially easy path then, less distinct paths, seeing the orienteering controls being collected, and eventually the main path on the northern slopes of Great Cockup back to Ornthwaite.

Time 4 hrs

Grade Excellent

Memories

• Missing the initial path to Trusmadoor
• Great views across Solway Firth and to the Skidaw range
• Orienteering event

Completed 85 To go 129

Bleaberry Fell and High Seat

Took the same route up as we did for the Walla Crag walk in Jan 09. this time no ice, in fact the complete opposite hot and sultry. No wind as we gained height and we sat before the final ascent of Bleaberry fell in the warm sunshine admiring the view over to Catbells and beyond. A steepish climb soon saw us onto the summit with our next top, High Seat immediately south. A very wet path lead us across to boggy ground with large areas of cotton grass. The descent from High Seat was north west towards the Barrow Beck gully. At the top of the gully we decided, instead of taking the steep path straight down it is better to take the path heading down into the gully which then contours around out of the gully further down and then leads back to Ashness Bridge.
A nice day for cooling the feet in the stream at the end of the walk



Time 4 hrs
Grade Excellent
Memories

• Hot and humid
• Boggy ground on top

Completed 83 To go 131

Grange Fell and Castle Crag

One of the hottest days of the year, we set off from Grange over the stone bridge and a couple of hundred yards south down the main rod took the bridleway to the left and soon found ourselves in the most peaceful bracken filled meadow. Gently climbing through lovely scenery, Castle Crag, our final destination dominating the view to the south. The path descended slightly and eventually we too a right had fork to cross the stream on our right and begin quite a steep ascent up towards King’s How. As we gained height the humidity of the day attracted the most midges we had seen in the Lakes for sometime. Thankfully we were well equipped with jungle formula. We arrived above the treeline where the path forked. Initially we took the right hand fork heading up towards King’s How but the path petered out an becoming quite disorientated we descended an took the left hand fork over a style, which seemed to be heading in the right direction – which it was but were much further east and lower than anticipated. However soon we found our bearings an followed the path by a wall south then west to eventually to join our main path and be greeted by the most magnificent views of the hills to the south of the Borrowdale valley. Great Gable, the Scafells, Glaramara all majestically bathing in the hot sunshine, and so did we.

After a small stroll south we took the path eastwards up to the main summit of Grange Fell, Brund Fell. Truely in the centre of the Lake District, Sacfell Pike to the south, Helvellyn to the east and Skiddaw to the north all felt as though they were in touching distance. Lunch stop at the top with no need to shelter from any wind or rush down in case of impeding rain. The descent was to continue east passed the lovely named Jopplety How across the wall then follow this to the south to join the Watendlath, Rossthwaite path down to Rossthwaite and the Scafell Hotel for a welcomed drink.

The afternoon was to be simple, follow the Cumbria Way and Allerdale Ramble but fork off to the left to climb Castle Crag. Memories of this were of of a slate mound steep and slippery constantly worrying the children were going to fall off!. We were quite tired as we ascended form the valley the humidity was now increasing with thunder clouds and rain to the south. On reaching the ridge before the final slate mound mention was made of ‘lets not bother’ but this was overruled and an incident free push to the summit was made. The view were slightly disappointing being very hazy to the north and dark rainclouds to the south. It was still warm enough to linger for a while then descended down to the west and along the Allerdale Ramble back to Grange where we just in time to have strawberries and tea at a garden party accompanied by one of loudest crashes of thunder we have ever heard.

Time 6hours 30mns (some longish stops!)

Grade Excellent

Memories :

• Peaceful bracken meadow at the start
• Hot and Humid
• Views of the southern Borrowdale giants
• Half time refreshments at Rossthwaite

Completed 81 To go 133