WWW.KARLSWALKS.CO.UK
PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
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E-mail - karl@karlswalks.co.uk |
II had a around a mile to walk on the road before I started up the forest track through Wythop Woods. There is another car park nearer the start of the track but that would have meant a longer walk when I came down off the fell on Saturday.
After a pleasant climb up through the trees the view opens up over to Skiddaw Dodd, the Ullock Pike ridge and Skidddaw itself.
From the end of the trees to the track under Rivings it was lovely walking in the afternoon sunshine over the fields with soft grass underfoot.
Once you reach the track you have to double back and find the narrow slanting path up through the gorse and heather. The path is very narrow and I'm glad I was wearing long trousers but even so my legs were getting pricked and poked by the sharp gorse.
After escaping the painful gorse it's back to lovely soft grass on the climb past Rivings. The top of Sale Fell comes into sight in the gap ahead.
Scotland just about visible from Sale Fell.
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Looking across to Ling Fell where I'm headed next. I can also see Wythop Moss which I need to cross to reach Greystones where I hope to camp.
Sale Fell from the steep direct ascent of Ling Fell. I could have used the corpse road which takes an easier line to the top but I felt fairly fit so took the harder route ( but I have to say that I didn't feel quite as fit when I reached the top ).
Greystones in the foreground with the Grisedale Pike / Hopegill Head group of fells in the background.
Last time I came this way I followed the fence directly across the moss but today I found a path which took me more to the east and I could see what looked like a quad bike track heading in the right direction so I followed that. Although the moss was quite wet it was only feet wetting bog rather than the sinking up to your knees bog.
It still seemed to take a while to cross but eventually I reached the drier higher ground and started the climb to Greystones.
On to the top which Wainwright decided to choose as his summit. Lovely view down to the Vale of Lorton and Mellbreak..
The actual highest point of Graystones is a a bit further on and a good view of Broom Fell and Lord's Seat with Skiddaw behind in the distance.
My pitch just below the top looking in the same direction.
Today's route.
It started raining around six but was dry when it came to pack up and it was quite a pleasant morning as I walked past the felled plantation below Widow Hause. A new stile has been provided at the top of the path down to the valley.
The large cairn on Broom Fell comes into view. Lord's Seat in the background.
Skiddaw has a little cloud cap.
On to Lord's Seat looking down to what will be my final fell of the day, Barf.
The weather has closed in over Grisedale Pike and the fells around it.
Zooming in on Causey Pike.
I now had to lose nearly seven hundred feet of height following the fence down by Aiken. Whinlatter, my destination is the high ground ahead.
There is a path and the going although steep wasn't too bad apart from the last few yards up to the forest track across some felled trees . This is looking back to Lord's Seat.
I followed the forest track back towards Darling How keeping an eye out for the narrow path heading into the trees. I'd not noticed this rusty old tank next to the start of the path when I'd come this way previously.
The path comes up between the wall and the wire fence. You have to cross the fence to start the final climb to Brown How. Lord's Seat and my route down can be seen across the valley.
The path winds its way through the heather taking a bit of a roundabout route so is never very steep.
Graystones from the path.
Approaching Brown How which in Wainwrights day was the accepted top of the fell, although the man himself had doubts and was proved right when later measurments proved that the highest point was further along to the east. It's now clear over Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head and Hobcarton. As I was having a break in the summit wind shelter it started to rain and quite heavily as well. So the climb to Whinlatter Top and over Tarbarrel Moss was a bit of a soggy affair.
Typically it stopped raining just as I reached the shelter of the forest. This is the gate into the forest situated in the top corner of the moss.
Lord's Seat again this time from Ullister Hill.
Zooming in on Grisedale Pike.
After taking the very muddy path which cuts the corner I'm on the path downhill to Barf.
And looking back from the climb to Barf.
Barf is well known for its views and here is Bassenthwaite Lake and Binsey.
And the Ullock Pike ridge and Skiddaw.
Zooming in on Skiddaw Dodd.
The view southwards to Derwentwater and the central fells.
A welcome bit of sunshine over Catbells and the Maiden Moor / High Spy ridge. Helvellyn to the left and I think that must be Pike'O Stickle poking up in the distance.
I made my way back to the valley by way of the Beckstones Gill path which was very tricky with lots of water running down over the slippery rocks and tree roots and I'm not sure if I missed an alternative path but I had a dodgy down climb over these slabs.
Looking to my left I spotted the Bishop of Barf..
Eventually the path improved and I crossed the beck and came out of the trees virtually straight at my car.
My route on Saturday.
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