Thursday/Friday 23rd/24th July 2015 - Lake District - The Howke, Back O' Skiddaw

Thurs/Friday 23rd/24th July  Lake District -Back O' Skiddaw


Thursday - The Howke


The weather was OK Thursday but after the push of the walk Weds we decided on a steadier day, visiting Carlisle garden centre and craft shop for Susan and I took a trip to The Howke waterfall near Caldbeck later that afternoon. Got a reasonable shot away form the main fall, as access to view the main fall was very poor and restricted, with tree branches obscuring any view. Quite a reasonable pic of the smaller falls close up though, and it did need a bit of scrambling down near a bridge to get anywhere close.

Used tripod, polariser and slow shutter speed to capture image below.

Friday - Back O' Skiddaw

Friday an we were back with all guns blazing for a walk, but the weather was forecast as a bit mixed so we elected upon some lower fells at the Back o Skiddaw, near Uldale, Bassenthwaite.

The starting point for Longhands fell was a bit remote and parking was a small cut in with room for about 2 vehicles near the hamlet of Longlands. Setting off at 11:15 we headed through a gate and onto the Cumbria Way path.

The route was very grassy and some paths indistinct, but the going generally very easy.

The start of the route heads along the Cumbria Way and is pretty flat and a good wide track, before heading off right along a grassy slope towards Longlands fell.

Once ascended 500ft or so the path becomes a bit more distinct and easier to follow to the small cairn marker of Longlands Fell at 1584ft.

Good view out North towards the Solway Firth and bottom end of Scotland (Gretna).

Heading across Longlands we continued to follow the grassy path, descending slightly and bypassing Lowthwaite Fell (not a Wainwright) to reach Broad Moss skirting Lowthwaite along a nice easy path.

Broad Moss Below......

We then ascended gradually to Little Sca Fell

Then onto the 2nd Wainwright of the day Great Sca Fell at 2135ft and a slightly larger Cairn.

A further easy descent and another half mile we ascended Knott 2329ft to bag the 3rd Wainwright.

Good view here all around to Skiddaw South, Solway Firth North and Blencathra East.

From Knott we retraced our steps back to Great Sca Fell, Little Sca Fell, and after descending here instead of heading down to Broad Moss, we continued north and upwards to the 4th Wainwright of Brae Fell 1922ft.

The path up to Brae Fell was a joy, with excellent views across to the Solway Firth.

The path leading from Little Sca Fell to Brae Fell, nice, grassy and easy!

Summit of Brae Fell 1922ft, then turn back and follow the a shorter grassy path back and down to Broad Moss.

Here keep right and follow close to the Gill and a grassy path leads back to the main Cumbria Way path

Back on the Cumbria Way, and stop for photos of a rather photogenic line of trees in the distance with a mountain backdrop.

We finished around 16:30, having been out for just over 5 enjoyable hours.
A good walk with good views and easy grassy paths.

Our Walk Score: 8/10

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 - Lake District Haweswater

Wednesday 22nd July 2015 - Lake District Haweswater

Tuesday weather was not so good and we visited Hawkshead Brewery for the beer taps, as well as Kendal (craft shop for Sue) and Lakeland, finishing up in Keswick.

Wednesday was forecast a little better and we headed for Haweswater, a bit remote and the walk starts from Mardale Head at the end of the reservoir. The drive took about 45 mins from Greystoke.

The car park was full when we arrived around mid-day (late start!), but after waiting just a few minutes someone was leaving and we found a place. The parking was free, and we headed off under slightly damp conditions along the path ascending slowly upwards away from the reservoir.

The route was not too difficult, a bit rocky but not too bad following a zig-zagging path towards Harter Fell.

The rain decided to start and with hoods up we ascended before turning back on ourselves and off the path and up grassier sheep tracks to Harter Fell.

Just before the summit of Harter Fell (2552ft) the views were best looking down upon Haweswater and the rain had eased to almost nothing.

The actual summit of Harter Fell did not give good view though, but after a short rest and consulting the map, we saw our way clear to walk across to Kenmore Pike (not planned) as it looked an easy half mile or so. 

A short descent and sort ascent saw us at the summit of Kentmere Pike (2394ft) and we rested near a stone wall taking in the views across to Windermere

The way back was the way we came, and it took us a tittle longer to get back to Harter Fell than anticipated, that half mile and back a little harder than we thought!

Following the path back from Harter Fell, the weather improved and some blue sky even appeared, allowing some better photos down to Haweswater.

Even the sheep were out posing!

Careful down that rocky path!

Some nice waterfalls with the wet weather.

The last section of path down to the car park we finished around 17:45, and by that time the car park had nearly cleared out. A reasonable walk with some good views, though maybe not exceptional, and the weather at the beginning took the sine off it a bit.

Our Walk Score: 7/10