Dramatic weather on the Fairfield Horseshoe
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:46 pm
Following wandering around in the mist on Friday on day one of our bagging weekend, a far better forecast for the Saturday saw us keep with our plans and drive to Rydal to have a crack at the Fairfield Horseshoe. It was an early start so we could grab one of the limited places available at this charming little settlement, turn up after ten and I suspect you’d be looking elsewhere.
There is no chance of easing into things from here, as first the road and then the path climbs steeply to the first target of the day, Nab Scar. The forecast may have been a lot better but we still had one of the promised showers on this initial ascent, fortunately it was light and actually quite cooling.
The pull but to this minor top is probably the most physically arduous section of the walk but as you’d expect for such a popular walk the path is superbly made.
Spotlight by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking over Loughrigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
First top of the day by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Sunshine on the Greenburn Round by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
On Heron Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The first two tops might be regarded as separate fells in the pictorial guides but it’s hard to think who would climb them without continuing around the horseshoe.
The next fell, Great Rigg is also seldom climbed for it's own sake but it is a fine looking object as you approach it. Following another shower the sun came out on Great Rigg and we were treated to a wonderful show of light and shade over huge swathes of the district.
Stone Arthur catches some sun by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Great Rigg and Fairfield from Heron Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Bright sunshine on the Horseshoe by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Dramatic sky on the way to Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Approaching the summit of Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Grace and Hughie on Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
View South from Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking back towards Windermere by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Lake District Weather by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Follow link for full size version http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkaysleftleg/9694602592/lightbox/
From here it’s a steady pull up to the high point of the walk, Fairfield. It was unsurprisingly really quite windy on the top as another shower blew through. We fortunately managed to grab a shelter for lunch before exploring this extensive stony summit.
Helvellyn from Fairfield by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
St Sunday Crag by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Deepdale from Fairfeild by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Grace and Nicola on Fairfield. by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We took in the wonderful views to the north of Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag before continuing towards Hart Crag. This section is very rocky and probably the highlight of the whole walk. The sunshine wasn’t to last however and by the time we reached Dove Crag the wind and rain had arrived in force, we crouched behind the wall to don our water proofs before continuing.
Sun and shade on the Fairfield Horseshoe by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Descending from Fairfield by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Hart Crag Summit by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The wall along this stretch of ridge is a superb construction and for this we were truly thankful as it sheltered us from the wind and rain quite effectively. By the time we approached High Pike the sun returned to give us spectacular sights of showers over Windermere illuminated by the bright sunshine.
Grace and Hughie on High Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Scandale with weather over Windermere by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Low Pike from the descent of High Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
A Bit of Drama over the Coniston Fells by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
By the time we reached the final top of our day, Low Pike, the last of the showers were moving away so we stopped for a slice of cake and ten minutes rest.
High Pike from Low Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
High Pike Mono by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The walk back from here was truly delightful and a taste of the Lakes that none fell walkers love as we made our way through the beautiful grounds of Rydal Mount back to the car.
Dramatic Sky by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The Horseshoe from the path to Rydal by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Waterfall at Rydal Mount by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
There may well be more dramatic walks than this in the Lakes, with more excitement and technical difficulty but for quality of views it must be hard to beat. On a day like this it's a true feast for the senses that I'm sure will be one of the true highlights of our round. Remaining fells in double figures now
There is no chance of easing into things from here, as first the road and then the path climbs steeply to the first target of the day, Nab Scar. The forecast may have been a lot better but we still had one of the promised showers on this initial ascent, fortunately it was light and actually quite cooling.
The pull but to this minor top is probably the most physically arduous section of the walk but as you’d expect for such a popular walk the path is superbly made.
Spotlight by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking over Loughrigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
First top of the day by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Sunshine on the Greenburn Round by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
On Heron Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The first two tops might be regarded as separate fells in the pictorial guides but it’s hard to think who would climb them without continuing around the horseshoe.
The next fell, Great Rigg is also seldom climbed for it's own sake but it is a fine looking object as you approach it. Following another shower the sun came out on Great Rigg and we were treated to a wonderful show of light and shade over huge swathes of the district.
Stone Arthur catches some sun by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Great Rigg and Fairfield from Heron Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Bright sunshine on the Horseshoe by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Dramatic sky on the way to Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Approaching the summit of Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Grace and Hughie on Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
View South from Great Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking back towards Windermere by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Lake District Weather by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Follow link for full size version http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkaysleftleg/9694602592/lightbox/
From here it’s a steady pull up to the high point of the walk, Fairfield. It was unsurprisingly really quite windy on the top as another shower blew through. We fortunately managed to grab a shelter for lunch before exploring this extensive stony summit.
Helvellyn from Fairfield by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
St Sunday Crag by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Deepdale from Fairfeild by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Grace and Nicola on Fairfield. by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We took in the wonderful views to the north of Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag before continuing towards Hart Crag. This section is very rocky and probably the highlight of the whole walk. The sunshine wasn’t to last however and by the time we reached Dove Crag the wind and rain had arrived in force, we crouched behind the wall to don our water proofs before continuing.
Sun and shade on the Fairfield Horseshoe by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Descending from Fairfield by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Hart Crag Summit by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The wall along this stretch of ridge is a superb construction and for this we were truly thankful as it sheltered us from the wind and rain quite effectively. By the time we approached High Pike the sun returned to give us spectacular sights of showers over Windermere illuminated by the bright sunshine.
Grace and Hughie on High Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Scandale with weather over Windermere by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Low Pike from the descent of High Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
A Bit of Drama over the Coniston Fells by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
By the time we reached the final top of our day, Low Pike, the last of the showers were moving away so we stopped for a slice of cake and ten minutes rest.
High Pike from Low Pike by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
High Pike Mono by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The walk back from here was truly delightful and a taste of the Lakes that none fell walkers love as we made our way through the beautiful grounds of Rydal Mount back to the car.
Dramatic Sky by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The Horseshoe from the path to Rydal by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Waterfall at Rydal Mount by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
There may well be more dramatic walks than this in the Lakes, with more excitement and technical difficulty but for quality of views it must be hard to beat. On a day like this it's a true feast for the senses that I'm sure will be one of the true highlights of our round. Remaining fells in double figures now