free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Still catching up reports so it's back to September for a trip up a couple Western fells. The weather wasn't quite as good as promised with a great deal of hazy cloud but thankfully it was dry. We parked by the phone box at Loweswater grabbing one of only a handful of places. This is such a lovely sylvanian part of the lakes, it almost seems wrong to park up crowding the otherwise lonely lanes and picture perfect houses and cottages. An easy wander along the lane soon becomes a steep loose ascent as you start up the formidable looking North ridge of Mellbreak. This route belies the modest height of the fell and promises much but once the Northern and lower summit is reached the true character of the fell becomes apparent as a broad boggy ridge which undulates towards it's summit at the south end. Views throughout are hindered greatly but a short wander eastwards from the summit reveals a wonderful full length view of lovely Crummock water.
First target of the day by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
A Misty peek around the corner by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Mellbreak Summit by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Crummock Panorama by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
For full size follow the
link From here the summit of Hen Comb looks quite close but getting there isn't so easy. We decided against returning along the ridge to the shallow col that has a path
and headed down the lumpy slopes over open ground. This was fine at first but soon a sea of bracken engulfed us and with no helpful trods emerging it was an unpleasant, stumbling plunge down to the main path through Mosedale.
It was a relief to regain solid ground so we resisted the temptation to head directly for Hen Comb and followed the paths around this rather dreary valley with it's one holly tree towards Mosedale Beck. I had planned to cross the beck early but with no obvious crossing points (this would have necessitated slithering down muddy banks and climbing over fences) we headed for the bridge. Once across we had hoped some signs of previous ascents would have emerged but we were out of luck. This was obviously a warning sign but we started regardless off up to the right of Thrang crags.
On the way up Hen Comb by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking over Mosedale by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Hen Comb by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
By the time we pulled ourselves, exhausted up the summit the bounce had most certainly gone from our bungees
A trod approaching from the South suggested we should have carried on the main path round the back of the fell but in all honesty the best plan would have been to include Hen Comb with Gavel Fell and enjoy a nice walk back along the shores of Crummock Water.
The trip between Mellbreak and Hen Comb is most certainly not recommended.
Thankfully all was nice and easy for the remainder of the walk but beware the potentially tricky crossing of Moasdale Beck after heavy rain. Not the finest of walks but it still had it's moments and moved us that little bit closer to completing.
Last look back by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
