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Watch Hill and Binsey

Watch Hill and Binsey


Postby foggieclimber » Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:49 am

Wainwrights included on this walk: Binsey

Date walked: 16/11/2012

Distance: 10.5 km

Ascent: 500m

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I set off nice and early yesterday morning, destination the Lake District. After seven hours of driving, I arrived at Cockermouth, from where I ascended Watch Hill. I parked just off the road, a short distance away from Cockermouth school.

Hill: Watch Hill [Setmurthy Common]
Date: Friday 16th November 2012
Company: Just myself
Distance: 6km, Ascent: 185m


Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

After walking a short distance along the road, I followed the bridleway heading towards Watch Hill.

Outskirts of Cockermouth:
Image

Start of bridleway towards Watch Hill:
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The underfoot conditions were a bit variable, a mix of nice short grass and mud. The entire walk was through grassy farmland, with lots of sheep.

Looking back to Cockermouth:
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View towards Watch Hill:
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The weather was nicer than expected and was mild enough to walk in a t-shirt.

Following the dyke:
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Looking back to Cockermouth:
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However, the weather didn’t look quite so nice further South.

View towards the Lakes:
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I visited several knolls en-route to the summit, which is at the far end of the ridge.

On the flat ridge to the summit:
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Approaching the summit of Watch Hill:
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View from the featureless summit of Watch Hill:
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From the summit, I returned to the car via the same route and then drove to one of the potential starting points for an ascent of Binsey.


Hill: Binsey
Date: Friday 16th November 2012
Company: Just myself
Distance: 4.25km, Ascent: 310m


Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

I opted to ascend Binsey from the West, as I had read that this was the nicest route.

Start of Public Right of Way towards Binsey:
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The initial track leading towards Binsey was very muddy.

Binsey:
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I was pleased to find that a path continued beyond the end of the Right of Way, marked on the map.

Hills beyond Bassenthwaite Lake:
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Bassenthwaite Lake:
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Ascending Binsey:
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On approaching the summit of Binsey, I noticed two people parascending above nearby Whittas Park.

Parascending above Whittas Park:
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On reaching the summit area, I visited each of the cairns, the shelter and the trig point. I also had a very brief chat with two other walkers at the summit.

Looking towards the summit from a nearby cairn:
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Summit trig point, shelter and cairn:
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Skiddaw from the summit of Binsey:
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From the summit, I returned to the car via the same route. Binsey was my first ever Wainwright – a list I do NOT intend trying to complete!

Following the ascent of Binsey, I drove to Swinside for a bit of reconnaissance. I drove round the entire hill, unfortunately confirming that every possible access point has signs “Private – No Public Right of Way”. I may have to do this one in the dark :wink:

Access rights in England do seem to be pants compared with Scotland. I’m not keen on having to follow Rights of Way and I don't like being denied access to hills owned by GOML Lords :(.
foggieclimber
 
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Re: Watch Hill and Binsey

Postby garyhortop » Sat Nov 17, 2012 9:43 pm

A nice wander Foggie and some really nice shots across the lakes...looks like you had a really good day for it as well! :D
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Re: Watch Hill and Binsey

Postby ChrisW » Sun Nov 18, 2012 5:22 pm

What a lovely pair Foggie (oooh eeerr mrs :lol: ) both would be perfect for me and my round top ramblings, the shots of the first one are beautiful, looks like the weather turned a bit for the second, as for access to Swinside - that's just sickening how can they close off a hill completely like that.....perish the thought you might bend the grass blades upon it :roll: If you get back there in the dark......plant a sodding great flag at the top :lol: :lol:
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