3rd August 2007

We decided that today would be a day for pushing ourselves. This was despite the fact that it was very over-cast and windy. That wasn't going to stop us! So we drove a couple of miles down the road and parked at Cow Bridge, near Hartsop. From there we followed Hayeswater Gill up to the impressive Haysewater reservoir and up onto The Knott (2423 ft). Sounds simple? Well, it would have been except for the rain. And the wind. And the cold.

However, we pushed on and used the compass to guide us onto Rampsgill Head (2581 ft). We had to use the compass and we couldn't see any further then about 10ft in front of us. Without too much ado we made it onto High Raise (2634 ft) but from there it got a bit tricky. Having already climbed Kidsty Pike, we decided to leave it out and go straight onto High Street. 10 minutes later I began to recognise a cairn that we were coming up to: Kidsty Pike (2560 ft).

Nevermind, from there we followed the ridge around to High Street (2718 ft) where we actually saw some other mad people who seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. A short wallk took us onto Thornthwaite Crag (2569) where, out of the mist, we saw the impressive beacon that you cannot miss. This was helpful as it guided us onto the Gray Crag (2286 ft) ridge which we would otherwise have struggled to find. This ridge was devilishly windy and we were continually walking into the wind and the rain which was very painful and hardwork. However, we made it to the top and then headed back over to Thornthwaite Crag.

From there it was a sharp descent and even sharper acsent onto Stony Cove Pike which knocked us for 6, but off we went and wandered about on Cauldale Moor (2502 ft) feeling, wetter, colder and more frustrated the longer it took us to find the summit. By this time visibilty was appalling and I was getting concerned about the time. However, from there it was an easy hike onto Hartsop Dodd (2018 ft) which we carried on over and down the front. It was exciting, however, when we could actually see things once we had come out of the clouds.

A walk to the car gave us a chance to stretch our legs out after the steep descent and we deposited 5 litres of water into the car before heading back to the campsite and having a top meal in the truely excellent White Lion of Patterdale.

New Fells: Rampsgill Head, High Raise, High Street, Thornthwaite Crag, Gray Crag, Caudale Moor, Hartsop Dodd