Catbells, Ard Crags and Knott Rigg

[andy63]

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The weather forecast for this day wasn't too good - lots of cloud and a chance of drizzle- but at least it wasn't gale force winds and torrential rain, like it had been for most of the last few weeks, so I decided to go out anyway. As it turned out, it wasn't too bad.I didn't get rained on and the cloud was only on the higher summits, so I was OK on these smaller hills.
I started by parking at Hawse End and heading up to Catbells.

Catbells ascent

Derwentwater from Catbells

Catbells summit, view towards Maiden Moor

The original plan was to go up and down Catbells and then drive to Newlands Hause to cimb Knott Rigg and Ard Crags, but as I got to the top of Catbells I noticed that Ard Crags wasn't very far away, so I decided to make it a proper walk and do the three hills in a single round.
So I headed down to Little Town and along the path near Newlands Church.Crossing the valley was more difficult than expected.Normally, there are several footbridges across Keskadale Beck, but they all seem to have been destroyed in the recent floods.However, I did find a place where the stream was only a few inches deep, so I could take my boots off and roll my trousers up to wade across.

Ard Crags from Catbells

Little Town

Keskadale Beck

I got across the river near Aiken, from where I followed a path above a fence which slowly ascends the hill, before making a sharp let turn onto the ridge.

Ard Crags ascent

It's quite a long climb up to Ard Crags, with a false summit at Aiken Knott on the way.

Ard Crags summit

I then continued along the ridge over Knott Rigg and down to Newlands Hause.

Knott Rigg

Waterfall near Newlands Hause

The walk back to the car was along minor roads - I didn't bother looking for footpaths.

[ChrisW]

Good stuff Andy, even better that you didn't get rained on I have to say I wouldn't have fancied wading the river so early in the season but I guess with all the bridges gone there's little choice, really like the shot of catbells summit