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It’s been a frustrating time since returning from the Lakes at Easter with very little walking being done anywhere. So finally being given a free day and a decent forecast it was straight over to Lakeland to kick start the bagging once again. Both MWIS and the Met office promised early mist lifting from the hills by midday giving 80% chance of cloud free summits after 12.
Calm morning by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
When we first arrived at Cinderdale Common (grabbing one of the last parking spots as is our style
) things didn’t look too bad. It was a lovely calm morning with the cloud base at around 450m and some brighter spots promising the forecast would pan out. After starting up the Lad Howes ridge however it quickly became obvious that all was not going it go to plan as the cloud dropped quickly to around 200m accompanied by a very fine mizzle.
Cinderdale Beck by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Cinderdale Beck close up by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Into the mists we ventured up the increasingly steep ridge that was surprisingly dry underfoot given the recent rain. The lack of visibility made this a rather odd ascent without the focus of a big lump of a hill to aim for or great views to help encourage tired limbs. As you gain height the ridge becomes rockier and defined resembling a route up a Munro in the highlands rather than a Wainwright.
...and the mist comes down by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The summit shelter was eventually reached after much huffing and blowing particularly by Grace who had an attack of early onset teenager on the way up.
Happy family? by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We had already stopped for lunch on the ridge so it was a brief pause before the simple straight walk to Crag Hill for more misty whiteness. The lack of views certainly puts these fells at the top of the” return to” list once we’ve knocked off the others but in some ways experiencing the fells like this is worth it every once in a while. The silence and peace it quite something and I quite honestly could have had a snooze next to the dilapidated trig point.
Misty family shot on Crag Hill (with added lost midget) by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Onwards past Wandope with just a pause to stare into the milky white void before we started our decent from the fells down Whiteless edge. This is a fantastic defined ridge that I’m sure is a pure joy on a clear day but here only enhanced the feelings that we’d missed so much and would have to return.
We did get some slight glimpses down to Sail beck on our way down but it was not until we’d had a cup of coffee on Whiteless Pike that finally a view over Crummock Water opened up.
Parting of the Mist by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Grace and Hughie by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Dropping out of the clouds by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Crummock Water by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We descended down to Whiteless Breast before returning to the car through Rannerdale giving Rannerdale Knotts a miss as time was getting on.
It was a bit wet through Rannerdale but that did little to detract from a beautiful valley that provided a wonderful end to the walk. The famous bluebells were also out in force, just a pity there wasn't a bit of sunshine to get some better pics.
Along the Wall by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Rannerdale by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Whiteless Pike by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Even with the failed forecast it was still a canny day out with four more Wainwrights and Hewitts added to the tally. We’re off to Wales next week hoping for some better weather than last year so the Hewitt tally can be topped up even further and perhaps explore a bit more of the beautiful sights of Snowdonia.
