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

5th August 2007

We were joined today by the Fellrunner who was looking to do a recovery walk after doing a 14 mile fell race the day before - the question was whether he would be able to keep up with us!


We parked at the same place as before, near Hartsop, but headed west rather than east. It was a steady, but long, walk up onto Hartsop Above How (1870 ft) but the weather was significantly improved! We reached the top in good time and then headed onto Hart Crag (2698 ft) which had previously been conquered as part of the Fairfield Horseshoe. There was then a quick step onto Dove Crag (2603 ft) from where we headed down to Little Hart Crag (2091 ft) where we had a very tasty lunch.

Then we quickly headed down to High Hartsop Dodd (1702 ft) and then back up again. By now it was actually warm and we were in good spirits. The final challenge was the 900ft of ascent to get onto Red Screes (2541 ft) which was actually really enjoyable and the views at the top were fantastic. It was very busy on the top and we were pleased to head down onto Middle Dodd (2106 ft) which seemed to me much less popular.

We went down the front of Middle Dodd, which was very steep, and through some beautiful countryside back to the car.

New Fells: Hartsop Above How, Little Hart Crag, High Hartsop Dodd, Red Screes, Middle Dodd.

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

2nd August 2007

We decided to have an easier day today - it is a holiday after all! So we chose to follow a route suggested by Trail magazine.

It was a lovely warm day as we took the same route up the side of Place Fell and onto Boredale Hause. This time, however, we took a left and headed up onto Place Fell (2154 ft) whose summit is much further back then you would imagine! However, we perservered and soon reached the very impressive top.

We then carried on over the fell and down the other side. There was then a long walk through some beautiful countryside to the edge of Ullswater around Hallin Fell. The route took us along the Lake's edge where we, to our great surprise, had to overtake about 50 very slow, small children who were using the same narrow path as us. We overcame this obstacle and made it to the pier where we caught a steamer along the lake to Glenridding. It was fun but very cold.

Upon arriving at Glenridding, it was then a short walk along the road to Patterdale.

New Fell: Place Fell.

1st August 2007

Having decided to camp at a site in Patterdale, we were nice and close to many Eastern and Far-Eastern fells which I had out-standing.

So, on the first day of the holiday, we decided to do a walk right from the campsite which would save us from having to drive anywhere. We left the campsite and headed up the side of Place Fell onto Boredale Hause. This is also the route that you would take for the Coast-to-Coast Path and so it was packed full of people. We made good time and, with a little difficulty, located the summit of Angletarn Pikes (1857 ft). We took a very brief break to appreciate Angle Tarn and then took a superb Cowboy-Roy route onto Brock Crags (1842 ft) which gave the legs a good work out.

Having crossed mire and marsh, we then followed a wall over to Rest Dodd (2278 ft) where we sat and had a good old rest before heading down to The Nab (1887 ft).

Now was the difficult bit. To get back to the campsite we could either take a long walk around the valley or head over Beda Fell (1664 ft), thereby collecting another Wainwright and cutting the time down dramatically. Off we went up the fell which was an easy path to follow but tiring for the weary legs. It was worth it, however, when we got to the top, walked along for a good way and then back again. The views were fantastic, but we were tired.

We then headed back to Boredale Hause, showered and went out for a heart meal.

New Fells: Angletarn Pikes, Brock Crags, Rest Dodd, The Nab, Beda Fell.