A Newlands Round, plus two, minus one

[johnkaysleftleg]

I've enjoyed some fantastic weather this year on my Lakeland wanderings and my rich vein of fortune looked set to continue as I headed cross country as the sun rose under clear blue skies. I'd set off early following a 5 A.M. alarm call in an attempt to get the majority of the climbing done before the heat of the day which was predicted to be scorchio!
My efforts were rewarded with some wonderful sights as some early mist was still hanging around the lakes and part of me wondered if I should have picked a walk up from a lake rather than from the lakeless Newlands valley but in all honesty, as I pulled into the empty car park at Little Town I confess there are few places I'd rather be than here in the most stunning of Cumbrian locations. I'd decided to set off in an anti-clockwise direction and headed along the roads to Rigg Beck to set off up the first target of the day in the shape of Ard Crags.

Morning at Little Town by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Newlands Skyline by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Scope End by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Newlands Trees by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hindscarth by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Causey Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Backlit Trees and Cat Bells by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Good Morning Mrs Robinson by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Blencathra by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Road through Newlands by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Even though it was before 8 o'clock, the lack of any breeze made it hot work on the way upwards following the crossing of Rigg Beck and excuses to stop and turn around on the steepest section of the ridge up to Aitkin Knott were readily taken in order to soak in the glorious views behind me. At 581m Ard Crags may not be a particularly high fell, but climbing it before breakfast is hard work and it was a relief once the gradient eased and I got to sit and have my repast all alone, apart from Hughie that is, admiring in the stunning landscapes spread out for my delectation.

Ard Crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Three Sheep and the Moon by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Across to Causey Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A New Land Breathes by Anthony Young, on Flickr (I recommend clicking on image for big version)

High Stile Ridge and Keskadale Edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Three Ridges by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking down to Rigg Beck and Beyond by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Not a bad spot for Breakfast by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Feeling most refreshed off we set along the ridge, which after being so well formed up to Ard Crags becomes rather flabby and undefined on the way to Knott Rigg. Some of the erosion along this section is quite surprising and worrying, that two such innocuous fells as these are down to the bed rock in places can't be a good sign. Still the views improved again as Knott Rigg was reached and now included some morning mist hanging over Crummock water. Unfortunately a good chunk of the first climb was to be lost as we made our way down, the once again well defined ridge, to Newlands Hause.

Robinson and Keskadale Edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Hughie leads the Way by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Sail and Crag Hill by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Mists over Crummock Water by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Heading down to Newlands Hause by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Having only seen a couple of people so far, who I believe to have wild camped next to Rigg Beck and had a morning jaunt up to Ard Crags, Newlands Hause was quite busy, not particularly with walkers but a general mix of day trippers, sight seers and cyclists. This small crowd was soon left behind however as we set about regaining the lost height on the steep path up to the pleasant grassy top of High Snockrigg. I don't know just what a Snockrigg is, but it's a great view point for Buttermere, Crummock Water and the fine High Stile ridge with its Northern Crags very well seen.

Moss Force by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Keskadale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Crummock Water by Anthony Young, on Flickr

High Stile from High Snockrigg by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Buttermere from High Snockrigg by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Crummock Water from High Snockrigg by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Next up was a slightly soggy crossing of Buttermere Moss, with the worst easily avoided, before the slog up Robinson. This was hot work sheltered from the breeze but soon enough we breathlessly topped out and were certainly ready for five minutes break sat in the summit shelter (at least I was, Duracell dog was still full of energy , other brands of battery are available). There was now a steady stream of walkers many of whom were taking part in some sort of orienteering exercise, but this is the lakes on a beautiful Sunday morning in spring so there are always going to be people around.

Looking back from Buttermere Moss by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking to Scotland across Causey Pike and Skiddaw by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Robinson View by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie checking out the Orienteering bag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Another up and down followed this, not as bad as Newlands Hause thankfully, to get to Hindscarth, a spacious bouldery summit with some tremendous views in all directions. We didn't linger too long as I'd decided upon Dale Head as a lunch stop and if I was hungry, Hughie would be ravenous
Dale Head is an impressive fell with superb views both down the Newlands Valley and over Honister Hause on ascent, but a few photo stops later me and Hughie had summited and found a quietish spot to have lunch.

Honister Hause by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Fleetwith Edge to Scafell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Pillar from Hindscarth by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie exploring Hindscarth Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

High Spy with the Eastern Fells beyond by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A glimpse of Keswick by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Mighty Pillar by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Buttermere from Dale Head by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Panorama from Dale Head by Anthony Young, on Flickr (I recommend clicking on pic for big version)

Hughie has a Break by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Honister Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dale Head Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie larking about as we prepare to have lunch by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Even though I like to take my boots off when I have a decent stop, like for lunch for example, my feet were still hot so I promised myself a nice dangle in Dale Head Tarn once we made our way down. Fortunately the path is in largely good condition so in two shakes of a Westies tail my poor feet were enjoying a most refreshing dip in the cool waters
Being an odd little dog Hughie, doesn't like water much and considered my deliberate foot dunking as quite uncouth. This was nothing however compared to the sight of another dog jumping into the water and having a swim, totally unacceptable according to the thrawn wee beastie who joins me on my hill outings and the relative peace and quiet were shattered by him telling me all about it

Dale Head Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dale Head Foot Spa by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Spell of peace broken, it was off upwards again towards a busy High Spy summit which was quickly visited before taking a detour off the main path to High Spy's Northern top above Blea Crags. This is, as AW rightly pointed out, a better view point with the delightful Derwent Water seen in all its glory and we had five minutes finishing off the last of any food while enjoying the vista.


Newlands Beck by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dale Head by Anthony Young, on Flickr

High Spy Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Across to Grasmoor by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View from Blea Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

From here it was downhill just about all away as we visited the largely ignored top of Maiden Moor before making our way down the eroded mess of a path to the hause. We probably had enough in the legs to climb Cat Bells, but if l'm honest the sight of the throng atop this small hill did not appeal, so having already been up there twice previously we trudged happily back to Little Town and a now heaving parking area.

Hindscarth and Robinson by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Maiden Moor Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Derwent Water from Maiden Moor by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Causey Pike and Newlands by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Newlands Skyline from the Road to Little Town by Anthony Young, on Flickr

This was a terrific walk on a stunning day with enough easy going underfoot to negate some of the distance and ascent which are not inconsequential, it's hard to think of another Lakes walk studded with so many wonderful views almost all with great depth and interest. I do very much love the North Western Fells

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[trailmasher]

Another fine scamper over and through one of the most delightful parts of the LD JK with the usual top notch photos to record yours and Hughies journey

[johnkaysleftleg]

Another fine scamper over and through one of the most delightful parts of the LD JK with the usual top notch photos to record yours and Hughies journey

Cheers TM, days and hills like this are why we all do this in the first place, I left all the scampering to Hughie btw