24th August 2007

Having taken a couple of days off to rest the blisters, do some cycling and watch the fell runner come 3rd for Keswick AC in the round Latrigg fell race, myself and My Blogwalker decided to go for it and do the Kentmere horseshoe.

We were at the church at Kentmere nice and early and the weather had turned around completely and it was a beautiful day. We took a track to Stile End and then headed up the steep path onto Shipman Knotts (1926 ft) which was a fun and sweaty climb. There was then a clear path up to Kentmere Pike (2397 ft) and the sun was beating down on us as we sped up to the top. Unfortunately, the sun had also brought out the midges and horse flies which meant that we were always on the look out for marauding insects.

From there we followed the same path up to Harter Fell (2539 ft) from where there were fantastic views. An exciting stride along Nan Bield Pass took us up to Mardale Ill Bell (2496 ft) but we did stop on the pass itself to take in the views which were amazing. We decided to avoid the crowds by avoiding High Street and Thornthwaite Crag and instead take a more direct route up onto Froswick (2359 ft). The climb was very exciting and the whole walk over Ill Bell (2476 ft) and Yoke (2309 ft) was very impressive. It was quite steep but brilliant all the same.

From Yoke we then took a long walk back down to Garburn Pass and back to the car. Even though it was a tough walk, it was a brilliant one. The views were incredible and it was pretty exciting from Harter Fell onwards. We were also incredibly lucky with the weather. Most exciting, however, was the fact that this left me with just 6 Wainwrights left to do.

New Fells: Shipman Knott, Kentmere Pike, Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell, Froswick, Ill Bell, Yoke.

21st August 2007

As the aged parent had another free day today, we decided to head all the way to the far east again and do the four most eastern Wainwrights. Therefore, we set off early and parked at the most Southern point of Haweswater with lots of other people. It is always a sad place to be since the village of Mardale was flooded by the Manchester Water Authority in order to create the reservoir.

We them took a tough path up to Gatescarth Pass and headed left on to the top of Branstree (2333 ft). It wasn't long before we were in the clouds but it was a clear path on to Selside Pike (2142 ft). On the way we stopped at the marvellous Artlecrag Pike cairn which was very exciting.

Unfortunately we then had to retrace our steps over Branstree and it was a long descent and then ascent on to Tarn Crag (2176 ft) where there was another fantastic cairn. We navigated back to the wall and then headed up to Grey Crag (2093 ft) which was a quick climb but our legs were already beginning to ache.

We had to go back over Tarn Crag and down a path back to Gatescarth Pass. It was quite a long walk but quite pretty, if a little wet. Imagine our surprise when we realised that we had come down the wrong side of the pass and so had to walk back up it and down the other side to get on to the right path. It was a hard climb and it took us high enough to get back into the clouds but we set our minds to it and it was soon done.

It seemed like a long descent down to the car but we felt as though we had done very well and were pleased with the walk.

New Fells: Branstree, Selside Pike, Tarn Crag, Grey Crag.

20th August 2007

I was joined by the aged parent today and we decided to do some tidying up of some smaller fells in the far east. We chose to begin with Sour Howes (1568 ft) which we tackled from Kentmere where we were lucky enough to find a parking space by the beautiful church.

We headed up along the Garburn Pass (where we saw some nutters carrying bikes up just to cycle back down again) and took a stile which led us along a ridge and onto the summit. It was clear but blustery and we didn't hang around but headed quickly across to Sallows (1691 ft) from where there were some cracking views. Again it was very cold but we had a quick lunch and then headed back to the car.

We then drove over to Troutbeck and took a stomach crunching walk up Nanny Lane and along a wall for a while until we found the wall which took us up onto Wansfell (1597 ft). We found a much better path, which was more direct, on the way down and so we were back at the car in no time at all.

There was then lengthy discussions about going on to do Troutbeck Tongue but we decided that we just didn't have the time and so we headed back home.

New Fells: Sour Hows, Sallows, Wansfell.

19th August 2007

Having been a bit over-keen with the running the week before, I was suffering badly with enormous blisters. Having administered extensive first aid to them I felt ready to give the feet a trial walk; therefore, the fellrunner and I decided to do a quick walk up Hart Side (2481 ft) which would also mean that the Eastern Fells book would be completed.

We parked near Aira Force and headed up a very muddy path which made for some fun squelching and sliding: the path had clearly suffered after the days of heavy rain. After some excellent map reading we found the higher path which took us through a copse and onto the open fell. Unfortunately, the cloud came down and the fell runner did some outstanding navigating to get us onto the right summit.

Having reached the top, we decided that it was too cold to hang around so we made a quick descent and were back down in no time at all. The blisters had survived very well despite the fact that we both had wet feet.

New Fell: Hart Side