Ulldale fells - Lake District - 20th March 2016

Finally , after a crappy winter and lots of other distractions my first visit to the Lakes of 2016.

These Northern fells are not typical Lakeland fells - they have grassy paths and are generally easier to walk - my creaky , rusty frame was especially grateful for this !!

Up at 4 AM , driving from the East Midlands, I arrived at my start point around 8.30. The road (north of Bassenthwaite) was 'off the scale'  - single track for most of the way (around 5 miles) with pot holes and farmers bombing along on quad bikes.

The start point was Longlands (shown on the map , but no indication from road signs).

Through the gate onto the field and turn right along the wall. Using Mark Richards guide I followed the path across the valley and up to the high valley / ravine of Trusmadoor

Approaching Trusmadoor

From the valley floor turn right up the path to the top of the wonderfully named Great Cockup.
Back down to Trusmnadoor and then straight up the next fell - Meal Fell

Top of Great Cockup

Top of Great Sca Fell with Knott in the background

Dodgy Bloke

Top of Brae Fell from Longlands Fell

Top of Meal Fell

From Meal Fell it was a straightforward path down to the col between Meal Fell and Great Sca Fell. I chose the steep path rather than the one one up to the col between Great and Little Sca Fell - it didn;t look hard but it was !!

As the weather was wonderful and  clear it was an easy navigation past the top of Little Sca Fell and then over the ridge to Brae Fell.

 View from the top of Brae Fell

From Brae fell it was another easy navigation , dropping down and up a gully to the slopes of  Lowthwaite Fell and then onto the ridge leading to Longlands Fell.

Brae Fell Summit

Over Water from the top of Longlands Fell

Top of Longlands Fell

An excellent days walking , which didn't kill me - I need to get some tougher walks in for the coming Months

OS OL  4    North Lakes . About 8 Miles

Catch up - Monsal Dale , Curbar Edge , Derwent Edge (February / March 2016)

I haven't posted for a long time and towards the end of last year and the start of this one have not done any significant walks. This was mainly due to all the building work we had done at home and the crappy , wet weather over the winter.

However , I am slowly getting back up to speed.

Monsal Dale - February 2016

With Richard. Same route as previously - Monsal Head - Monsal Dale - Great Shacklow Wood - Ashford in the Water - Monsal Head

OL24 - White Peak - about 8 miles


Curbar Edge - March 2016

Another favorite walk - great for getting some miles on my legs without any navigation issues.
Park at the NT car park and then a anticlockwise circuit of the edges - Baslow Edge - White Edge - Froggat Edge - Curbar Edge. As usual , a lovely walk. At the start for about 10 minutes it was blowing a blizzard - nearly chickened out and turned back. However, it soon blew over and the weather really became quite mild.




OL24 White Peak - about 8 miles


Derwent Edge - March 2016

With Richard

Parked up at one of the layby's near Fairholmes. No signal so I wondered down to the main car park and Richard was waiting there. This was a repeat of last time I met with Richard around here, Along the shores of Ladybower - a short stroll over the bridge on the A57 and then up to Whinstone Lee Tor - along the glorious Derwent Edge - Back Tor - Lost Lad - Back down to the shores of Ladybower - short stroll arond the southern end of Derwent res - back to the car.

Brilliant walk - as usual !!





OL1 Dark Peak - About 9 Miles