Walkhighlands

We arrived at Boness Knott car park on the first day of our half term week in the Lakes. Despite the fact we were a little later than hoped I was confident that our fairly modest target of the day (Great Bourne and Starling Dodd) should be easily doable in the time we had. This was the second time we'd set off this way with the previous time ending at around 420m as the wind and horizontal sleet sent us packing. No such troubles this time other than the steepness on what was a wonderful winters day.

Looking across to Crag Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Looking down on Routen Farm by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

High up by The crags of Herdus by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Hard work over, walking over the tops was wonderful as we passed the minor top of Herdus before making our way to the bouldery dome of Great Bourne for a late lunch. Views to Great Gable and Pillar were fantastic and this was joined by a fine view of Grasmoor and the North Western Fells as we made our way to the high point of the day, Starling Dodd.

Herdus by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Great Borne by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

On the way to Starling Dodd by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Onwards and upwards by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Grassmoor and Crummock Water by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Starling Dodd by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Gable and Pillar by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Friends on Starling Dodd by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Following a brief pause to enjoy the views we headed off to the minor top of Little Dodd (via a large snow patch) to descend very steeply back down to the restricted road through Ennerdale. This route starts with a grassy path in a gully before turning into a scree run that gives a fairly rapid way down.

Larking about in the snow by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Steep way down by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Pillar and Steeple by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

We hadn't seen a single soul all day at this point but broke the spell by mentioning it and were promptly joined by a large group heading to the hostel at High Gillerthwaite. We were soon along again however and thoroughly enjoyed the walk back along the lake side as the sun went down giving us some beautiful colours to go with the reflections in Ennerdale.

Ennerdale Evening by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Reflecting on the day by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Ennerdale Sunset by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Anglers Crag Sunset by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Great pics on a good day and decent walk. Nice, quiet, and easy stress free place to be for a day out.

Some great pics and a couple of good and underrated summits. Most folk do the three high Stile tops and turn back down to Buttermere, ignoring these. You are only 2 Wainy's behind me now and definitely looks like you'll complete well before me. Well done.

Great view of Pillar and Steeple on that way down from Starling Dodd.

trailmasher wrote:Great pics on a good day and decent walk. Nice, quiet, and easy stress free place to be for a day out.

Cheers, I like the relative quite of the Western fells.

colgregg wrote:Some great pics and a couple of good and underrated summits. Most folk do the three high Stile tops and turn back down to Buttermere, ignoring these. You are only 2 Wainy's behind me now and definitely looks like you'll complete well before me. Well done.

They are indeed fine tops with some great views, we should finish by late summer. Our remaining fells are mostly well grouped, we could finish in 9 walks if we pushed but 11 of 12 is more likely. I notice your fells are quite scattered.

simon-b wrote:Great view of Pillar and Steeple on that way down from Starling Dodd.

Certainty was Simon.

I may have to resort to a few drive, walk, drive, walk days, JK. Pointless heading over the lakes merely to do single fells such a Holme Fell. Green Fell in Eskdale is the problem one. Kicking myself for not picking up on it being a Wainwright when I was over there camping.

colgregg wrote:I may have to resort to a few drive, walk, drive, walk days, JK. Pointless heading over the lakes merely to do single fells such a Holme Fell. Green Fell in Eskdale is the problem one. Kicking myself for not picking up on it being a Wainwright when I was over there camping.

I've done that a few times for smaller fells, the thought of driving over the Lakes to climb Armboth Fell then come home is not exactly a big attraction.

Wow - some really fine pics there , and a great day's weather you had. The views of Pillar are wonderful.

I did a Wastwater horseshoe just 5 days later on 19th Feb, pretty well all of it in clag! Views like the ones you had of Pillar etc were exactly what I'd been hoping for

I'm hoping that third time will be lucky...

Now that is what you call a great start to a weeks holiday JK, lovely shots as always with some real stunners at the close of day

ChrisW wrote:Now that is what you call a great start to a weeks holiday JK, lovely shots as always with some real stunners at the close of day

Thanks Chris

Alteknacker wrote:Wow - some really fine pics there , and a great day's weather you had. The views of Pillar are wonderful.

I did a Wastwater horseshoe just 5 days later on 19th Feb, pretty well all of it in clag! Views like the ones you had of Pillar etc were exactly what I'd been hoping for

I'm hoping that third time will be lucky...

Thank you very much. Pillar is my favourite fell, mainly by virtue of the route from Ennerdale using the shamrock traverse, so I was made up with the views. Keep coming back to the western fells, more than worth it once you get a day without clag.