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I was looking forward to this walk a bit too much, as I'd read the MWIS report on Friday and seen 'superb visibility' etc., Jim, Lassie the dog and me, 5 Wainwrights for the list and a cracking day. To say I was optimistic would be a serious understatement. So Sunday morning dawned picking Jim and Lassie up at 0730 and heading north. The Howgills looked great in the early sun, but glances westward were not too good, compounded by Jim saying' there's fog y'know!' WHAT!!!? says I. 'I read the MWIS this morning at 7 it said fog' he replied. My heart sank as we drove on and slowly into the overcast skies above Loweswater.
So here was the route, I would have said plan but those of you who can be bothered may spot the 'following the wrong fence trick' we decided to try in the b****y fog!
We parked at Maggies Bridge and headed for Holme Wood, climbing across the wood till we reached the open fell and then turned right then steeply left over Carling Knott to reach the summit of Burnbank Fell. A quiet spot and because the fog was down, no views anywhere, so we plodded onwards with a reasonable amount of splashing, althought it was '
dry' or maybe that's
'not raining'.
Blake Fell came and went in the fog and so we headed off to Gavel Fell; now you may be wondering where the photos were of the start and the tops of Burnbank and Blake Fell. Well they're still up there with the camera that took them. I know I had it on the summit of Blake Fell, but then we did the 'wrong fence trick' and as we reached the bottom of Coomb Gill on the direct route to Gavel Fell, I realised it had dropped out of my case on the rucksack's waistbelt. So if anyone finds a Nikon L4 Coolpix in blue, 'needles in haystacks' comes to mind, a suitable reward will be provided.
- View from Gavel Fell
This was the view from Gavel Fell although it might have been anywhere you'd never be able to tell!
On Gavel Fell we met our first fellow nutcase, sorry walker and had a good chat, it was his first time out for months after surgery to his knee so he was buzzing and off to do Blake Fell. I told him of the camera incident and he promised to look, it would be a miracle if he finds it! But one lives in hope.
This was the view up to Hen Comb
- The way up to Hen Comb
You will have the idea by now. The summit was okay and on a warm summers day a good spot to linger, but today a quick coffee, bit to eat and off down towards the top of Mosedale (one of the many) and the bealach before Mellbreak
- Bealach in the distance
The path was clear but wet and as we splashed along the sun tried but failed to break through
- it tried
Once again we turned left and climbed up towards the summit of Mellbreak. Jim said that a blog he follows named it as a favourite fell, so I had hopes of things improving! We reached the top and flopped down as it was nice and grassy, when lo and behold the sun came out and the views started to appear.
- Views
- and another
- and another
We relaxed, it was warm and agreed that the initial disappointment was rapidly disappearing with the sun and the views, nevertheless we headed for the northern summit of Mellbreak.
- Northern Summit Mellbreak
We hoped that the views from there would be good too, but as you can see.
- Mellbreak view
Back to normal!! The descent proved quite hairy and very steep especially as legs were getting tired, but there was a little scree running and plenty of involuntary curses before we reached the bottom.
- Mellbreak descent
The walk down the lanes back to the car was very pleasant as was the stop in the Farmers Arms, Portinscale, they let Jim bring Lassie in.
On reflection I'd ticked off 5 more Wainwrights and it hadn't rained, but oh how I wish for some sun!! Maybe next time.
