The Lakes - September 2008

This was a week spent in the Lake District with walking friends Peter Patten, Ian Brooke and Mike Smith. We went there to walk and were blessed with a full week without a drop of rain. It was certainly cloudy on some days, which accounts for less photos taken on some days, and the tops usually had a cold wind blowing, but the opportunities for taking photos were good. Look out for the two movies, the rest are stills. The photos are shown in the order they were taken.

Click on any picture to enlarge to full screen. Click again for the full detail.

Sept 21 - Blencathra

Blencathra is approached from Threlkeld. There are several ascents; we go by Hall's Fell Ridge up to the saddle (Blencathra is also called Saddleback). We then descend down to Scales Tarn from which we ascend back to the saddleback via Sharp Edge. To lengthen the walk a bit we finally go down by the easterly path over Scales fell, leaving us to traverse the base back to Threlkeld.

Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).

This is Hall's Fell Ridge by which we ascended, taken from the ridge just before we went down to Scales Tarn. When fully expanded you can see the several walkers along the top of the ridge.
Having descended to Scales Tarn, we now see directly across to Sharp Edge.

It's easy work up to the shoulder just before Sharp Edge.
On the Edge, Ian ahead of Mike.

Mike looking pleased and relaxed.
Ian, Mike and I ascend the last stage of Sharp Edge.

The steep drop down to Scales Tarn from Sharp Edge.
Mike, Peter and Ian enjoy the view from the top, before we descend by Scales Fell.

Sept 22 - Helvelyn

Only a few photos from Helvelyn. The day was dry, but it was cloudy, and all the tops were in the clouds. We went up by Glenridding Beck, went off piste to get to the base of Catstye Cam, then straight up the Catstye to its summit, to join the main paths. We use the last and steep section of Swirral Edge to get to Helvelyn summit. We continue on past Nethermost Pike, and to the side of Dollywagon Pike, to clear the clouds near Grisedale Tarn. Then we take the long valley walk through Grisedale Forest, by the side of Grisedale Beck, past Lanty's Tarn, to return to Glenridding.

Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).

A pleasant start, from Glenridding, following Glenridding Beck.
Ian, Peter, and Mike.

It's on the way down, in Grisedale valley.
This is Glenridding and Ullswater, taken from near Lanty's Tarn as we near the end.

Sept 23 - The Old man of Coniston

Our first really sunny day, with good views in all directions. We do the Old Man of Coniston, and take him on straight up his steepest side. The walk starts leisurely along Walna Scar Road, previously used to access the many mines in the area. Then we break off the main track and head straight up the breast! of the Old Man. We follow the broad flat top ridge north to Great How Crags and to Swirl How, before retracing to Great How Crags, and passing west of Goat's Water to Dow Crag, Buck Pike, and Brown Pike, to enable us to return the full length of Walna Scar Road. This group includes the two movies.

Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).

We follow Walna Scar Road, a track leading up to disused mines.
We have many good views of Coniston and Coniston Water.

As we gain hight we easily see down to Morecambe Bay.
Atop the Old Man, this is the flat ridge we will follow to Great How Crags.

From the Old Man we also see the nuclear plant at Sellafield.
This one's a movie, just to show the panaramic views we had in all directions. But be patient, the 18 sec movie requires 16 MB to be downloaded.

This is Swirl How top, and we get our picture taken.
Mike takes one of me.

.. and another.
And I took one of Mike earlier on.

More views from Swirl How, which the others can name.
A view down to the green pastures below.

More distant peaks the others can name.
This short movie actually shows the flattish ridge we walked from the Old Man to Great How Crags and Swirl How. Quite a stretch. This 8 second movie requires 6MB of download.

As we look across to the Old Man we see again the path by which we ascended, and then went off piste to go straight up the side of the Old Man. From here it looks a challenge.
On the way down we pass by the beautifully formed Blind Tarn, nestling below Brown Pike. We go over Brown Pike to meet Walna Scar Road, to make our way back where we started.

Sept 24 - Grasmoor and Crag Hill

We do well to be in the western Lakes, as this is where it is clearest, and we get very fine views to the west over Crummock Water. We start from Rannerdale on Crummock Water, and ascend by Lad Hows straight up Grasmoor. On the level ridge we then reach Crag Hill before descending by Whiteless Edge, returning back along the bottom to Rannerdale. Peter was not with us today.

Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).

The walk starts by Cinderdale Beck and a small waterfall.
We get beautiful views looking west over Crummock Water.

As we ascend we also see Loweswater behind Crummock Water, and on the coast a wind farm can also be seen.
A preview of our descent. This is Whiteless Edge that we used for our descent.

The views from the top eastwards are somewhat grey. These mountains are Great Gable to the fore, with Glaramara, Allen Crags, Great End, Scafell Pike, and Scafell behind.
As we head down Buttermere lake also comes into view.

Now turning north west we again see beautiful Crummock Water.
Ian and Mike, with Crummock Water behind.

In the late afternoon the screes of Grasmoor have a lovely rosy glow.
A further view as we approach Crummock Water.

Mike gives Ian a helping hand,
as they pose with Grasmoor behind.

That's Ian and me happy with the day's walking.
A view south to Red Pike and the southern end of Crummock Water.

Afternoon tranquility as Mike and Ian near the end of our walk ...
.. and they both lived happily until the next day.

Sept 25 - Wetherlam and Tilberthwaite Fells

Only a few photos today. The weather was cloudy. We choose to walk the Tilberthwaite Fells just north of Coniston. We start by ascending Wetherlam, and walk the horseshoe through Swirl How, Great Carrs and Little Carrs, then Wet Side Edge as we circle round Greenburn reservoir.

Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).

It's a bit grey, but a view from the summit of Wetherlam.
As we walk the ridge to Great Carrs we see the monument erected in memory of the crew members of Halifax LL505 who lost their lives here on 22/10/1944.

The commemoration plaque.
We descend by the grassy ridge of Wet Side Edge.

A view back up Wet Side Edge to the horseshoe, with the main peaks of Great Carrs and Little Carrs.
One for the sheep, very comfortable in their beautiful environment.

Sept 26 - Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike is the big one; at 3209 feet it is the highest peak in England. We take a traditional route starting from Seathwaite, by Stockley Bridge towards the massive Great End. We skirt round behind Great End, over Broad Crag, and on to Scafell Pike. While the lower parts were clear and sunny, the top was windswept cold and cloudy. We returned by the interesting Corridor Route, past Styhead Tarn, then stayed left of Styhead Gill to return to Seathwaite.

Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).

We are now about to skirt round Great End. This view is north west to Great Gable.
Peter, Ian and Mike with Great Gable behind.

Peter, Ian and Mike.
We look back to Broad Cragg, which is a scramble over many boulders. Scafell Pike is next.

Scafell was in the clouds. This is half way down. We have taken the Corridor Route leading to Styhead Tarn.
This is looking back from Styhead Tarn towards Scafell Pike, still in the clouds. Great End dominates, and behind it is Broad Crag, then Scafell Pike in the distance.

We continue on the little used path to the left of Styhead Gill. It starts very pretty,
and gets progressively precipitous and challenging.

The path continues down.
A little further down is Taylorgill Force.

Then the valley opens up as we approach Seathwaite.
The farm is the end of our walk, where we celebrate with tea and scones.

Sept 21 - Blencathra
Blencathra is approached from Threlkeld. There are several ascents; we go by Hall's Fell Ridge up to the saddle (Blencathra is also called Saddleback). We then descend down to Scales Tarn from which we ascend back to the saddleback via Sharp Edge. To lengthen the walk a bit we finally go down by the easterly path over Scales fell, leaving us to traverse the base back to Threlkeld.
Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).
This is Hall's Fell Ridge by which we ascended, taken from the ridge just before we went down to Scales Tarn. When fully expanded you can see the several walkers along the top of the ridge.			Having descended to Scales Tarn, we now see directly across to Sharp Edge.
It's easy work up to the shoulder just before Sharp Edge.			On the Edge, Ian ahead of Mike.
Mike looking pleased and relaxed.			Ian, Mike and I ascend the last stage of Sharp Edge.
The steep drop down to Scales Tarn from Sharp Edge.			Mike, Peter and Ian enjoy the view from the top, before we descend by Scales Fell.
Sept 22 - Helvelyn
Only a few photos from Helvelyn. The day was dry, but it was cloudy, and all the tops were in the clouds. We went up by Glenridding Beck, went off piste to get to the base of Catstye Cam, then straight up the Catstye to its summit, to join the main paths. We use the last and steep section of Swirral Edge to get to Helvelyn summit. We continue on past Nethermost Pike, and to the side of Dollywagon Pike, to clear the clouds near Grisedale Tarn. Then we take the long valley walk through Grisedale Forest, by the side of Grisedale Beck, past Lanty's Tarn, to return to Glenridding.
Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).
A pleasant start, from Glenridding, following Glenridding Beck.			Ian, Peter, and Mike.
It's on the way down, in Grisedale valley.			This is Glenridding and Ullswater, taken from near Lanty's Tarn as we near the end.
Sept 23 - The Old man of Coniston
Our first really sunny day, with good views in all directions. We do the Old Man of Coniston, and take him on straight up his steepest side. The walk starts leisurely along Walna Scar Road, previously used to access the many mines in the area. Then we break off the main track and head straight up the breast! of the Old Man. We follow the broad flat top ridge north to Great How Crags and to Swirl How, before retracing to Great How Crags, and passing west of Goat's Water to Dow Crag, Buck Pike, and Brown Pike, to enable us to return the full length of Walna Scar Road. This group includes the two movies.
Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).
We follow Walna Scar Road, a track leading up to disused mines.			We have many good views of Coniston and Coniston Water.
As we gain hight we easily see down to Morecambe Bay.			Atop the Old Man, this is the flat ridge we will follow to Great How Crags.
From the Old Man we also see the nuclear plant at Sellafield.			This one's a movie, just to show the panaramic views we had in all directions. But be patient, the 18 sec movie requires 16 MB to be downloaded.
This is Swirl How top, and we get our picture taken.			Mike takes one of me.
.. and another.			And I took one of Mike earlier on.
More views from Swirl How, which the others can name.			A view down to the green pastures below.
More distant peaks the others can name.			This short movie actually shows the flattish ridge we walked from the Old Man to Great How Crags and Swirl How. Quite a stretch. This 8 second movie requires 6MB of download.
As we look across to the Old Man we see again the path by which we ascended, and then went off piste to go straight up the side of the Old Man. From here it looks a challenge.			On the way down we pass by the beautifully formed Blind Tarn, nestling below Brown Pike. We go over Brown Pike to meet Walna Scar Road, to make our way back where we started.
Sept 24 - Grasmoor and Crag Hill
We do well to be in the western Lakes, as this is where it is clearest, and we get very fine views to the west over Crummock Water. We start from Rannerdale on Crummock Water, and ascend by Lad Hows straight up Grasmoor. On the level ridge we then reach Crag Hill before descending by Whiteless Edge, returning back along the bottom to Rannerdale. Peter was not with us today.
Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).
The walk starts by Cinderdale Beck and a small waterfall.			We get beautiful views looking west over Crummock Water.
As we ascend we also see Loweswater behind Crummock Water, and on the coast a wind farm can also be seen.			A preview of our descent. This is Whiteless Edge that we used for our descent.
The views from the top eastwards are somewhat grey. These mountains are Great Gable to the fore, with Glaramara, Allen Crags, Great End, Scafell Pike, and Scafell behind.			As we head down Buttermere lake also comes into view.
Now turning north west we again see beautiful Crummock Water.			Ian and Mike, with Crummock Water behind.
In the late afternoon the screes of Grasmoor have a lovely rosy glow.			A further view as we approach Crummock Water.
Mike gives Ian a helping hand,			as they pose with Grasmoor behind.
That's Ian and me happy with the day's walking.			A view south to Red Pike and the southern end of Crummock Water.
Afternoon tranquility as Mike and Ian near the end of our walk ...			.. and they both lived happily until the next day.
Sept 25 - Wetherlam and Tilberthwaite Fells
Only a few photos today. The weather was cloudy. We choose to walk the Tilberthwaite Fells just north of Coniston. We start by ascending Wetherlam, and walk the horseshoe through Swirl How, Great Carrs and Little Carrs, then Wet Side Edge as we circle round Greenburn reservoir.
Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).
It's a bit grey, but a view from the summit of Wetherlam.			As we walk the ridge to Great Carrs we see the monument erected in memory of the crew members of Halifax LL505 who lost their lives here on 22/10/1944.
The commemoration plaque.			We descend by the grassy ridge of Wet Side Edge.
A view back up Wet Side Edge to the horseshoe, with the main peaks of Great Carrs and Little Carrs.			One for the sheep, very comfortable in their beautiful environment.
Sept 26 - Scafell Pike
Scafell Pike is the big one; at 3209 feet it is the highest peak in England. We take a traditional route starting from Seathwaite, by Stockley Bridge towards the massive Great End. We skirt round behind Great End, over Broad Crag, and on to Scafell Pike. While the lower parts were clear and sunny, the top was windswept cold and cloudy. We returned by the interesting Corridor Route, past Styhead Tarn, then stayed left of Styhead Gill to return to Seathwaite.
Map of the route. (Click full picture to see the detail).
We are now about to skirt round Great End. This view is north west to Great Gable.			Peter, Ian and Mike with Great Gable behind.
Peter, Ian and Mike.			We look back to Broad Cragg, which is a scramble over many boulders. Scafell Pike is next.
Scafell was in the clouds. This is half way down. We have taken the Corridor Route leading to Styhead Tarn.			This is looking back from Styhead Tarn towards Scafell Pike, still in the clouds. Great End dominates, and behind it is Broad Crag, then Scafell Pike in the distance.
We continue on the little used path to the left of Styhead Gill. It starts very pretty,			and gets progressively precipitous and challenging.
The path continues down.			A little further down is Taylorgill Force.
Then the valley opens up as we approach Seathwaite.			The farm is the end of our walk, where we celebrate with tea and scones.