Dale Head Horseshoe - 5 Wainwrights

[susanmyatt]

Hello again, the saturdays soon come around and with poor weather forecasts everywhere our Commander decided the best chance was the North Lakes, so off we set early. We breakfasted in Keswick and would start our walk from there at GR NY 266 233, our aim was the Dale Head Horseshoe which with the ascent would give us an idea for our Three Peaks walk on June 6th. Below should be a first, the walk map

Dalehead_Horseshoe.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

As we left Keswick we walked around Derwent Water and got our first sight of the misty Catbells.

Catbells

As we climb Skelgill Bank, the first rise, we start to get the views over Derwent Water.

Derwent Water

Looking across to Little Town and its backdrop.

Little Town, and our descent route

The gang on the summit of Catbells at 451m.

Catbells summit

The view towards Maiden Moor.

Towards Maiden Moor

There were some great views as the weather cleared.

Views to the north west

Yours truly on the way to Maiden Moor

Yours truly

Looking back to Catbells, Derwent Water and Blencathra.

Superb views

Things never go without a hitch, I was having trouble zipping my waterproofs so it was Commander Conroy to the rescue, what would we do without him

Surgery on the waterproofs

Our third summit was High Spy at 653m.

High Spy summit

We then had a bite to eat before tackling the steep summit of Dale Head at 753m.

Dale Head summit

Our last Wainwright would be Hindscarth at 727m, but there are three Birketts on the way off.

Hindscarth summit

There were now some great views towards the Buttermere valley, where we could see Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks, the High Stile range and Honister's Via Ferrata.

Fleetwith Pike, High Stile range

Honisters Via Ferrata

Now we were on the way down, going over High Crags and Scope End.

Route off

When we got back to the bottom of Skelgill we still had three miles to Keswick, it was a tired bunch that arrived back at the vehicles, but we had answered some questions about our durability, 15.4 miles in nearly 9 hours, good job we had a good breakfast, here's the proof as the Commander and G.I.Jane tuck in

Brekky at Booths

[Paul Webster]

Another person who has added a map

That round - which I've always called the Newlands Round, is probably my favourite walk in the Lake District. OK it has a slightly dull bit after Maiden Moor but Cat Bells deserves its popularity and the Scope End ridge is great too. I've never walked to it from Keswick, though

[susanmyatt]

Hi Paul, don't know if Newlands Round is with Robinson, got the name from the chap who puts his walks on Striding Edge.net, as he lives in the area I bowed to his knowledge, forgot to add that we saw Sir Chris Bonington when we were going back to Keswick near the boat jettys. It was a good way and perhaps a boat ride to the base of Catbells or the excellent bus service is the other option to cut the distance to 10 miles, thanks for a great site Paul.

[Paul Webster]

No problem. Good to see your gang all looking as happy as ever

[37lumleyst]

Hi Sue – I always look forwards the end of the W/E simply because I know there will be another great posting from you and your party.

Great to read your post about Dale Head – this is an area of the Lakes that I know exceptionally well which makes viewing your report even better. It looks like you had the best of the weather so your ‘Commander’ clearly knows his mountain weather.

Great report Sue – thanks.

Regards,

Paul

[susanmyatt]

Thanks Paul, I know how lucky we are to be able to get out each week, rain or shine we will be somewhere

[yokehead]

Another fine report Susan and more hills ticked off. Are you sure it was zipping your waterproofs in your photo, looks more like some strange sort of tickling rite to me!

[susanmyatt]

Yes, I can't help laughing and having fun, that's what the days on the hill are all about. Yes, the Wainwright total is slowly rising, will be going for a holiday to the Lake District in June so weather permitting I could do it some serious damage. Glad you like the reports, I know many members are our cousins from North of the border and some of the hills are small to them but I think the Lakes is a lovely area. We are winding ourseves up for the 24 miler on June 6th

[37lumleyst]

I agree that our hills are indeed smaller than our friends North of the boarder but none the less they are spectacular and can be as challenging.

I know many members are our cousins from North of the border and some of the hills are small to them but I think the Lakes is a lovely area.

I would imagine that like most people on this forum that don’t live in Scotland we have to make the best of what is available to us.

I would love to live in the Highlands but there again; the English lakes are a cracking substitute none the less

Good luck with the 24 miler too - looking forwards to that report already