Whinnlatter Fells 11 Oct 2014

The weather forecast was for sunshine with the occasional shower, so off I set again for another Lake District adventure.

I had checked the route I needed in advance and the forestry commission map of the forest was an excellent guide and for a lot of the day I didn’t need my OS map. I printed a PDF off from the web or you can pick one up from the visitor centre.

Parked at the visitor centre and took the green waymarked walk up to junction 53. The path out of the forest up to Lords Seat isn’t waymarked but there is only two choices form Jct 53 – waymarked trail or not , so navigation was easy.

So I was soon at the summit of Lords Seat with glorious views all around – there was only the cloud covered top of Skiddaw that I couldn’t see.

 

Grisdale Pike from top of Lords seat

Lord Seats Summit

Using Lords Seat as base camp the sequence was then Broom FellàGraystonesèBroom FellàLords SeatàBarfàLords Seat. The views from the to of Barf are spectacular.

 

Broom Fell Summit

View from the top of  Broom Fell

The walking between each of the fells was excellent –apart  some boggy patches and a downpour on the Lords Seat à Barf leg.  I could see the Irish Sea to the west and Grisdale Pike to the east. Grisdale Pike is a magnificent looking peak. I really don’t mind a there and back again walk when most of it is high level like this. The reason for returning to Lords Seat rather than back into the forest from Barf was my path dropped down to the right side of the forest to get to Whinnlatter.

 

Top of Graystones

Grasmoor Group from Graystones summit

By the time I got down to Jct 2 I was knackered with soggy boots and feet. However, after a drink and something to eat I decided I was too close not to attempt this last fell. So up the unmarked path which led onto the open fell. Up a short steep climb along the fence to the ridge line of the fell. Then simply follow the undulating path (soggy in places) leading to Whinnlatter top. Tired but please to reach my fifth Wainwright of the day. Wainwright suggests that Sour How at the far Westen end of the ridge is the true summit , but I was too tired to go any further – anyhow my OS map puts Whinnlatter top as the summit, so that is good enough for me !! I was soon back at the visitor centre, wet boots off , cup of tea ready for the long drive home.

Way back up to Broom Fell

View from the top of Barf

Barf Summit

Grisdale Pike on the way back down through the forest

Last one of the Day - Whinnlatter top

Yet another excellent day out in the Lakes.

About 11 miles OS OL 4