Windy up north.
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:42 pm‘The only sounds are the call of the birds, the cries of sheep, the murmurs of streams, the wind rustling the coarse grass and heather. There are no false notes in this peaceful symphony, no discords, no harshness. This is a land of solitude and silence.’
This was day 2 of my ambition to solo walk all the 214 Wainwrights in a single calendar winter (end of October to end of March, between the changing of clocks). Mostly this will be separate journeys, but sometimes perhaps staying overnight to do a pair of days, spreading the days equally over the 5 months. I've plotted it in 30 walks, which is already looking way too too tough, but… I've accomplished the second one!
It would have been disappointing if I hadn't, for these Udale Fells are the gentler fells by comparison with the big boys of the north (Skiddaw and Blencathra), only just topping 2,000 feet with Great Sca Fell and Knott. Also, once you get up there, you stay up there with little height loss in between the summits. Furthermore, as AW points out, you're starting off from a reasonable altitude on the lanes around the area. Still furthermore, the forecast for the day represented a 'window of opportunity' in comparison with what had gone on all week. November in Britain was being blessed with a visit from 'Storm Abigail', so called. Strong wind and much rain, basically, but today was hopefully only the wind part with showers not coming in until late in the afternoon. With luck I would beat those: even being stubborn enough to walk out to Binsey and back at the end made for a mere 14 miles total. So much more civilized than my day one. AW's claim, 'One can go back to bed for another hour following breakfast, or be home in time for afternoon tea,’ was perhaps pushing it though.
This was day 2 of my ambition to solo walk all the 214 Wainwrights in a single calendar winter (end of October to end of March, between the changing of clocks). Mostly this will be separate journeys, but sometimes perhaps staying overnight to do a pair of days, spreading the days equally over the 5 months. I've plotted it in 30 walks, which is already looking way too too tough, but… I've accomplished the second one!
- Early start, driving past the head of Bassenthwaite.
It would have been disappointing if I hadn't, for these Udale Fells are the gentler fells by comparison with the big boys of the north (Skiddaw and Blencathra), only just topping 2,000 feet with Great Sca Fell and Knott. Also, once you get up there, you stay up there with little height loss in between the summits. Furthermore, as AW points out, you're starting off from a reasonable altitude on the lanes around the area. Still furthermore, the forecast for the day represented a 'window of opportunity' in comparison with what had gone on all week. November in Britain was being blessed with a visit from 'Storm Abigail', so called. Strong wind and much rain, basically, but today was hopefully only the wind part with showers not coming in until late in the afternoon. With luck I would beat those: even being stubborn enough to walk out to Binsey and back at the end made for a mere 14 miles total. So much more civilized than my day one. AW's claim, 'One can go back to bed for another hour following breakfast, or be home in time for afternoon tea,’ was perhaps pushing it though.
- ‘Anybody who cannot manage this short and simple climb is advised to give up the idea of becoming a fellwalker.’ Thanks AW for that comment.
- The 'Saddleback' (I think) as referred to in AW, Charleton Gill en route to Brae Fell.
- Little Sca Fell, marginally more interesting than its brother.
- Great Sca Fell, I think always looks like this.
- Knott - enjoying the view! (not).
- Burntod Gill, en route to Great Cockup from Meal Fell.
- On Great Cockup, with the final fell of the day, little Binsey in the distance.
- Great moody view of The Edge & Back o'Skiddaw which I did 2 weeks ago.
- Binsey Lodge, as in AW's drawing.
- Looks nice, but wind (!!) even at the modest height of Binsey. Neat review of the range of 6 fells already done this day in the background.
- The lanes back to Longlands (Udale on the hill there).
Love the comment on Great Sca Fell 