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PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
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E-mail - karl@karlswalks.co.uk |
A linear walk this week making use of the bus. Climbing up to the Helvellyn range by way of Fisher's Wife's Rake which I've been meaning to do for a few years and walking back over the fells to Grisedale Tarn and the down to the road by Raise Beck.
I parked my car in the lay-by next to the AA box on Dunmail Raise, crossed the road and waited for the 8am 555. Around twenty minutes later I alighted at the stop opposite the Dale Bottom road and made my way along the quiet lanes towards St. John's in the Vale. The weather was a lot nicer than the forecast which was mainly dry but overcast. This is looking over to the Glenderaterra gap between Lonscale Fell on the left and Blease Fell on the right.
As the lane swung to the south the full range of the Helvellyn fells comes into sight. I thought that it looks a long way and I have to get up there yet!
I followed the road across the Naddle valley bottom until I came to the track heading up to the youth centre and church. Across the valley are the rugged tops of the fells above Shoulthwaite.
After passing the church I descended across St. John's in the Vale until I reached the Old Coach Road which I followed for a short way to the quarries at Wanthwaite from where I made my way to the open fell and followed the wall heading for Fisher's Wife's Rake.
Just about to reach the start of the rake.
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Looking up.
And looking down. I really enjoyed the climb and although very steep I encountered no tricky bits as there was enough grass to climb up to divert around any rocky sections that you might not fancy.
After passing the rough stuff there is a clear path up the grassy but still very steep hillside. I had a breather on a little grassy outcrop ( next to the "i" in Wife's according to my gps ) which had great views down over the Naddle valley and north to the Skiddaw and Whinlatter fells.
And south over High Rigg to the central fells. The prow of Raven Crag is prominent on the left and in the distance behind I think is Scafell Pike.
The steep but good path deteriorates into wet and boggy ground and the next few minutes where quite hard going as I made my way uphill to the main ridgeline path. Great Dodd is waiting for me.
The view back over to the north western fells is good though.
Eventually I reached the main path which was still quite wet and followed it up the long slope to Great Dodd.
I always enjoy the easy walking down from Great Dodd heading for Watson's Dodd but unfortunately I must have been enjoying it a little too much as I was day dreaming away and walked right past the turn to Watson's Dodd. Well never mind I'm not religiously bagging summits and also I realised that I'd never walked this lower path from where there is a nice view of Browndale Beck, Deepdale and Hart Side.
It's back up again to Stybarrow Dodd from where the big fells of western Lakeland are well seen. From the left we have Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike,Ill Crag and Scafell Pike then Lingmell, Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Scoat Fell and Pillar.
Down again on the roller coaster to Sticks Pass before climbing again to Raise.
Looking back to Stybarrow Dodd and Great Dodd, the unvisited Watson's Dodd is on the left.
On to Raise now and Helvellyn is ( slowly ) drawing ever closer.
Reception party waiting for my on Whiteside. Skiddaw in the background.
Looking over to the rugged Browncove Crags with Thirlmere below. The skies are clouding over to the west but it's still a perfect day for walking.
Still plenty of blue sky to the east though and nice afternoon sunshine on Keppel Cove and Catstyecam.
The steep pull up to Helvellyn Lower man is my final steep climb of today, Helvellyn is a short easy stroll away now.
Swirral Edge and Red Tarn.
And Red Tarn and Striding Edge.
The often photographed side view of Striding Edge with a little bit of Red Tarn.
St. Sunday Crag to the east.
And the Wythburn valley to the west..
Anther gentle climb gets me to Nethermost Pike The green fields of Grisedale are far below with the east ridge of Nethermost Pike leading down to the valley.
My final fell of the day, Dollywagon Pike is not far now.
Compulsory picture of Hard Tarn from near High Crag.
Ullswater from Dollywagon Pike. I had a rest here and the sun was so warm and the grass so comfy think I might have nodded off for a while.
Grisedale Tarn from the zig-zag path from Dollywagon. Usually I come the more direct way straight down by the wall but I don't think my knees would have thanked me.
Only the path down by Raise Beck to do now.
Steel Fell and the road over Dunmail Raise comes into view and although it's still quite a way down to my car I know a great days walking is is nearly over.
Previous walk -- Bannisdale