Blake Fell and Friends.

[johnkaysleftleg]

The problem with planning weekends away well in advance is of course the weather. I'd had this weekend booked for a while and as it loomed the shadow of Storm Doris cast long over potential plans. As it happened Doris hit on the Thursday and subsequently her daughters ruined Saturday and Sunday but Friday was a weather window gifted by the mountain gods allowing a forty something man and a small dog to have a pleasant day in the fells. The ladies of my life, if you're wondering were in Birmingham for shopping and a concert.

So where to walk? Well as I seem to be entertaining the idea of a second round and didn't want to be too ambitious I headed west for the lonely fells to the South of Loweswater. This is a lovely corner of the Lakes and a set of hills that were clag bound on the first time around. There looked little danger of that on a beautiful morning with only the higher fells attracting clouds. We set off from Maggie's Bridge and headed past High Nook Farm but, for the sake of variation made our way to the back of the corrie rather than up the left had ridge.

Dub Beck from Maggie's Bridge by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Carling Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Past High Nook Farm by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back along the track by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Low Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Please close the Gate by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I visited some of the waterfalls in Highnook Beck before heading up what looked like an old mining track up the back of the valley it was seep going at first but soon leveled out for a steady pull up to Fothergill Head.


Highnook Beck Waterfalls by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Vale of Lorton by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Highnook Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Leveling out by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back on the way to Fothergill Head by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Gavel Fell may be a fairly unheralded fell but on a day like this the view is fantastic. Grasmoor and friends, Red Pike and the High Stile Ridge are all well seen as well as the expansive views to the West towards the Irish sea. I had a bite to eat and messed around taking photos spending quite a while before I noticed the sun going in and the wind freshening. This broke my inaction and sparked me off in the direction of the days high point, Blake Fell.


On the final climb to Gavel Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Great Borne from Gavel Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Red Pike from Gavel Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Grasmoor over Mellbreak by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Insurgent by Anthony Young, on Flickr

South West from Gavel Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Red Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Wandope by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Through to gap towards Pillar by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Grasmoor by Anthony Young, on Flickr

This is a straightforward climb that was troubled only by the threat that the clag might intrude on the views. As it happened It just added drama to another fine but chilly view as I gratefully settled in the shelter for some further rations.

Towards Fleetwith Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Rays by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cogra Moss and Muton Fell from Blake Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Lakeland Drama by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The last time I'd been up here on a full family outing we'd seen nothing and ended up just following the fence to the days final target. This time with a fine day and time to waste, Hughie and I set off towards Carling Knott perhaps Loweswater's most prominent fell from the Lakeside but not granted the distinction of a separate felldom by AW. It's a fairly short and soggy walk from Blake fell to get to the substantial summit shelter but I didn't stop there and continued on to Carling End and beyond to get a full aerial view of Loweswater. I admired this for a few minutes before I retraced my steps to the foot of the final climb up Carling Knott. Rather than go back over the summit, not really a great effort, I traversed the slopes to the North of the summit dome. For future reference just reclimb Carling Knott if you ever venture this way as the ground is uneven and to put it simply a pain in the backside.

Carling Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way to Carling Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Mucky Pup by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Shelter on Carling Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Carling End by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View East from Carling End by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Loweswater from Carling End by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Loweswater close up by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking down to Loweswater from the traverse around Carling Knott by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Burnbank fell was the final top of the day and even with the views missed the last time it's no more impressive. Carling Knott is by far the better place to be and while it may be closer to it's parent that Burnbank Fell it's Higher and requires more re-ascent. Another little oddity in AW's masterpieces.

Burnbank Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Whiteless Pike over Crummock Water by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View from the way down from Burnbank Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The grassy way down from Burnbank Fell is quite steep and slippy but soon enough the track traversing the North East face of the fells is reached so nice and easy going from here on in. Just after Holme Beck is crossed a path descends down through the delightful Holme Wood and back to the car.

Nice spot for five minutes by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Soft Light in Holme Wood by Anthony Young, on Flickr

By this time high level cloud indicating more weather to come had pervaded the sky but I still stopped of at Buttermere for a bit of a potter before heading back to my digs. As forecast Saturday and Sunday were blown away by relentless wind and rain so no fell walking was to be had. I wandered around the Whinlatter Forest on Saturday morning before exploring the Solway Coast. Sunday was a wander around Aria Force followed by a very wet walk around the ever Lovely Grasmere. I called it a day around lunch time and scarpered with some Gingerbread and chocs from the Excellent Chocolate Cottage. Hopefully better luck next time.

Buttermere by Anthony Young, on Flickr

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[arjh]

Great photos of an area of the Lake District unfamiliar to me, I should make time to investigate.

[trailmasher]

When the wife's away JK will play A great weather day on some fine hills there JK with some very excellent photos show casing a great report I could never understand AW's logic whilst choosing some of the fells as he did indeed miss out some great hills Ladyside Pike v Binsey is a no brainer as one example

A second round eh! May bump into you and the great Hughie one day And what is it to be, Glaramara or Grasmere

[johnkaysleftleg]

Great photos of an area of the Lake District unfamiliar to me, I should make time to investigate.

Well worth an explore, one of the most charming areas is the district

When the wife's away JK will play A great weather day on some fine hills there JK with some very excellent photos show casing a great report I could never understand AW's logic whilst choosing some of the fells as he did indeed miss out some great hills Ladyside Pike v Binsey is a no brainer as one example

A second round eh! May bump into you and the great Hughie one day And what is it to be, Glaramara or Grasmere

Don't mind Binsey tbh at least is is an individual fell with a very fine view. Burnbank is a case of "is this it?" Anyway it might be a slow walk up Glaramara tomorrow, the pull of snow and sun is just too great but might well make for tough day. On my tod again tomorrow, apart from Hughie of course so again it's a big thank you to my understanding wife once again

[Alteknacker]

Heck, that's a phenomenal set of photos, B&W and colour, even by your standards. I think you could make practically any hills look attractive!

And these are undoubtedly that. Noted!

This was a day seriously well spent, for sure.

[Mal Grey]

Superb images as always! Looks like a nice round for views, that's for sure.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Heck, that's a phenomenal set of photos, B&W and colour, even by your standards. I think you could make practically any hills look attractive!

And these are undoubtedly that. Noted!

This was a day seriously well spent, for sure.

Superb images as always! Looks like a nice round for views, that's for sure.

Thanks guys It's a pleasure to share.