Camping trip to Wasdale Head 22 - 24 August 2017

Brilliant visit to Wasdale Head staying at the NT campsite. This is a special place even by Lake District standards. The end of the road , mountains all around and a beautiful lake.

By the end of the visit I had climbed a modest 5 fells , but this took into account losing Wednesday morning due to low lying cloud all around.

Tuesday 22nd August Hardknott, Illgill Head, Whin Rigg

We (Meg joined me on this trip) set off around 5 AM, and because I couldn't get on the campsite until mid day, decided to get one fell in before. I turned off towards Eskdale from the A595 and headed up the scary Hardknott pass....definitely first gear for some of the hair pin bends!!. At the pass summit there is a small area to pull off and park up. The walk to Hardknott was a simple there and back again.

Hardknott summit

It was nice to get a quick win after a few fails recently. So back to the car and onto the campsite at Wasdale Head.

Base Camp

After setting up camp and brewing a cup of tea, we set out on the main event of the day - the ridge walk along the top of the screes with the return along the road (everything I have read about the screes lakeside path put me off that return route) This was an eventful walk. On the way up I had to stop for a rest, felt dizzy and the next thing I knew I was waking up on the ground. I am not too alarmed about this - apart from the cup of tea the last time I had eaten was seven hours ago, and in thta time I had done a long tiring drive and a walk up Harknott....probably low blood sugar. Meg was waiting next to me when I woke up. I had a bite to eat and set off again.

Illgill Head summit

The path then continued on across a boggy depression to Whin Rigg.

Whin Rigg Summit

The way down was as eventful as the way up. At the head of Greathall Gill I couldn't find the path so opted for descending the gully - big mistake.

Top of the gully

ouch

After my very quick trip down a waterfall I decided this was a bad route, and managed to scramble up the side of the gully to a fence at the top and was lucky enough to find a sheep trod which took me to the foot of the valley. The rest of the walk was an easy stroll along the southern tip of Wast Water and then back along the road. The trip along the road is not as bad as it seems. It is single track so cars are moving slowly and there are fabulous views of the screes on the opposite shore.

Wednesday 23rd August Yewbarrow

I had to wait until midday for the low cloud to clear before setting of on this climb. I was really looking forward to this one due to the reputation of Yewbarrow. Only 2000 feet but steep on all sides.

We reached a point on the scramble (near dropping crag avoiding Bell Rib) where Meg couldn't go any further. Fortunately a family of four who had been below me appeared above me !!. After a shouted conversation they explained they had found an easier line, so all we had to do was drop down a bit and find the alternative line just to the left of the one we had been on. Soon we were at Great Door and the summit ridge.

Bell Rib

Great Door

South Summit

North Summit

24th August Lingmell

Last day. Weather was overcast and forecast for rain , so I decided on a there and back attempt on Lingmell using the main route up to Scafell Pike as far as Lingmell Col. Quite proud I managed to find the summit in the thick clag and rain ....with help from my Garmin.

Lingmell Summit

Scafell Crags

I think Meg has had enough of Mountains for now

Wasdale Head- What a magical place. I'll have to come back - there are a feww more walks I can launch from here.

Monsal Dale + Millers Dale 20/07/2017

The original plan was to get up at stupid o clock and drive to Cumbria. However, I didn't fancy the drive and opted for a local walk. I had to wait until mid day for the rain to clear, but it was worth the wait. This was a new walk for me the first leg being the familiar walk along the river Wye in Monsal Dale.

Before the path crosses the A6 I took the signposted right hand turn to Brushfield. This was a lovely climb through the woods up the side of the valley. From there the path winds past a farm at the top of the valley, and then turns left on a good path that leads to the hamlet of Brushfield. At the end of the hamlet is a signposted right hand turn to Millers Dale. At Top farm it isn't clear which side of the farm the footpath goes....after trial and error it turns out to be the right hand side.

The path from there is a lovely high level walk along the top of High Dale with some fantastic views. I came across a troop of Duke of Edinburgh award youngsters looking for directions. It turns out they were heading in exactly the opposite direction they needed (Tideswell).

From there the path descends to the Monsal Trail cycle track, and then down to Litton Mill. The last leg of the walk was a delightful walk along Miller's Dale, Cressbrook Mill, back onto the cycle track and then back to the Viaduct and Monsal Head. 

A lovely walk which I will definitely do again

OS OL 24 about 6.5 miles

Gowbarrow Fell, Hartsop above How 1st July 2017

Arrived at Aira Force NT car park around mid day. Weather clear and hot.

I decided on a there and back route to allow Meg maximum opportunity to cool down in the beck on the way up and down.

We were soon at the top enjoying a bite to eat and the glorious views.

Ullswater

Gowbarrow top

Helvellyn

A lovely short walk to start the weekend. About 4 miles.

I then drove int Glenridding and booked a pitch at Gillside campsite. After setting up camp and a brew, we jumped back into the car and drove the short distance to Bridgend (Deepdale Bridge). There was room for a few cars in the car park near the start of the walk. 

We then had a lovely there and back again walk along the ridge to Hartsop above How

On the way up

Hartsop above How summit

Angletarn Pikes

Kirkstone Pass

Wet Dog

An excellent end to the day. About 6 Miles OS OL5 (Wainwright # 148)