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Wednesday was another beautiful day but with Grace’s knee feeling it’s outing on Harter Fell and me feeling like a rest we all headed for St Bees and had a lovely walk on the beach.
Beach at St BeesClear WatersHughie on the BeachSea Pinks at St BeesUnfortunately the weather was due a change with unsettled conditions dominating for the remainder of the week. Thursdays forecast was in all honesty apocalyptic but the timings seemed quite certain that the worst wasn’t to arrive until around 10AM, this left a window before the wind and rain arrived so in order to keep Friday for a family outing somewhere I set the alarm early, woke up earlier and set off for Eskdale in the morning gloom.
My plan was for the walk was to climb Hard Knott, the last of the Eskdale fells on the second round that are difficult to get to from the East coast. In line with my general approach to round two I didn’t want to just pop to the summit from the top of Hard Knott Pass but make a bit more of a walk of it, to do the fell justice.
With time being of the essence and not wanting to walk up the road I decided to just tackle the craggy face of Border End head on. This meant Hughie got left in bed, something he seemed quite happy about, and I arrived at the Fort on a gloomy overcast but dry morning, stuffed some breakfast down and set off.
Looking back at the car in gloomy conditionsI didn't particularly have a planned way up, and I'm not sure I could give a detailed account of the route I took given it's now several weeks ago but to cut a short story even shorter this way up is fine with only a boulder field and a couple of short simple scrambles providing any challenges.
Crossing a boulder fieldLooking down on the fort and lower EskdaleSlight Side in the clearHarter Fell and hard Knott FortHard Knott PassTopping out on Border EndBorder EndOnce I attained the summit of Border End it was obvious this morning was more than worth the effort. It was wonderfully atmospheric up here, with a hint of brightness over the Wrynose pass and an endlessly shifting veil of cloud flowing around the high fells of Upper Eskdale. It was perhaps this memorising sight which saw me carry on to Hard Knott summit and completely forget my intended visit to the Eskdale needle
, oh well I'll have to come back again some day.
Cairn on Border EndA little brightness over Wrynose PassOn the way to Hard KnottEast from Hard Knott SummitTowards the shrouded upper Eskdale Valley from Hard KnottA last shred of brightnessEskdale Panorama - click for large versionI carried onto the last top of the day, Yew Bank, before setting off down the gradual descent to Lingcove Beck. This was really easy going and I was soon on the path above the beck, heading for the valley. It wasn't long before the lure of beck proved to much and I descended to the banks to explore it's secrets.
Moving mist on Crinkle CragsYew Bank with Shrouded Scafells beyondCairn on Yew CragSlight Side still in the clearIll CragLingcove BeckLingcove Beck really is a beautiful watercourse with a succession of cascades, falls and waterslides. I got myself fairly absorbed in trying to capture their beauty meaning that any lingering thoughts of hovering up another couple of Birketts to the north were shelved.
Down by the beckFollow the way to the seaDramatic waterfall in Lingcove BeckCascades in Lingcove Beck..and another beautiful waterfallBy the time I arrived at Lingcove Bridge and the confluence with the River Esk it had got noticeably darker so I figured I best get a wiggle on and made good progress down the valley. It wasn't until I was making my way the short distance up the Pass back to the fort that the first light drops or rain started and was just about back at the cottage before the wind and torrential rain kicked in. Not a bad outing as it wasn't even close to elevenses yet.
A Gloomy Lingcove BridgeA last look back at Lingcove beckEskdale NeedleGetting increasingly darkA last look back at EskdaleBack up the road to the startWe spent the showery Friday at Muncaster Castle, it's wonderful grounds in full bloom this time of year were a superb sight and the day was topped off by the simply brilliant Bird of Prey exhibition. If you like this kind of thing it's a must see.
HughieRhododendrons or Azealias, not sure to be honestDroppletMore Rhododendrons (or Azealias)..and more..and moreShowersHughie in the stocksColours at MuncasterGaston the Verreauxs Eagle OwlMouse the Hooded VultureIt was a shame we couldn't fit a second hill walk in together but still this was a splendid week. Eskdale is such a gorgeous valley and to find it so quiet was a rare treat. For me it is simply the most beautiful part of Lakeland, nowhere else can match it's wild rugged nature. I just wish I lived closer.