Stay at home

[johnkaysleftleg]

Given the current, not so great, weather this walk seems ages ago. It was a really warm October day and not the best time to start to wear in my new three season Alt-Berg Tetheras. I wore them regardless and, although they were not bad at all for the first time on for quite a stiff boot, my feet were boiling!
Anyway, these two fells needed clearing up to leave a couple of bigger walks to finish off the Northern half of the of the Eastern fells also given the fairly easy nature of the walk it suited our limited time for the day.
It's always good when you get a nice day to walk from Glenridding as it means the parking fees are easier to stomach, although the new system of cameras to charge you exactly by the hour rather than the £7.50 all day, is a big improvement.
We headed up towards lonely Kepple Cove with its ruined Dam before making our way up the zig -zags. The views of Catstycam are excellent with the North West ridge looking like a tempting future expedition.
Following a bit of a slog on an unseasonably warm day we reached the summit of Whiteside to be greeted by some wonderful views for our lunch break.

Birkhouse Moor by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Catstycam by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

The ruined Dam by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Moody light over Catstycam and Hellvelyn by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Raise by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Skiddaw from Whiteside by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Raise from Whiteside by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Views from Whiteside by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Thirlmere by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Browncove Crags by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Grace on Whiteside by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

The walk to Raise from here must be one of the simplest routes between fells in the district as you amble towards the pleasingly rocky top. We lingered a short while as it was too nice not to before making our way towards the Sticks pass. The route down from here is nice and easy but takes you through some of the most bleak post industrial landscape to found in these parts. A desolate flood plain of quarry spoil and other detritus that is as far removed from the chocolate box image as you can get.

Looking back towards Hellvelyn Lower Man by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Grace on Raise by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Ullswater by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Descending via the Sticks Pass by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

A nice treat is in store when you get to Stang End as you get a lovely view of the South end of Ulswater and Glenridding before a zig-zag downwards back to Glenridding. Both these tops are pleasant places on a day like this but I personally would, if time allowed, include Helvellyn in this route.

Glenridding by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

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

[StevenF]

Your walk reports make me think that maybe next year I should visit Lake District instead of Snowdonia Apparently the driving to the lake district would only be 20 minutes longer (just checked)

[simon-b]

There are plenty of interesting routes on the east side of the Helvellyn range, and then there's the reward of the view west when you reach the watershed, if the weather's clear.

Wouldn't it be possible to avoid the Glenridding charges by parking on the minor road on the way to the Traveller's Rest?

Great photos again, Anthony.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Your walk reports make me think that maybe next year I should visit Lake District instead of Snowdonia Apparently the driving to the lake district would only be 20 minutes longer (just checked)

It's a grand place and as long as you stay away from the honeypot fells far quieter than you would imagine.

There are plenty of interesting routes on the east side of the Helvellyn range, and then there's the reward of the view west when you reach the watershed, if the weather's clear.

Wouldn't it be possible to avoid the Glenridding charges by parking on the minor road on the way to the Traveller's Rest?

Great photos again, Anthony.

Clough head apart, the East side of the ridge is by far the better as I'm sure you'll agree. As for the free parking at Glenridding, if you can find a way of getting a 12 year old out of bed early I'd love to take advantage of it

[nigheandonn]

Nice hills, and nice pictures. It was obviously a good clear day, as you've got the Pennine ridge looking like part of the landscape instead of a frieze against the sky

If you're planning on doing Fisher's Wife's Rake you should learn and benefit from my terrifying experiences on it - except I've left the tablet with the half written report on it in Newcastle, so it'll have to wait until I can reclaim it again!

I like Grace's embarrassed teenager pose in her first pic

[johnkaysleftleg]

Nice hills, and nice pictures. It was obviously a good clear day, as you've got the Pennine ridge looking like part of the landscape instead of a frieze against the sky

If you're planning on doing Fisher's Wife's Rake you should learn and benefit from my terrifying experiences on it - except I've left the tablet with the half written report on it in Newcastle, so it'll have to wait until I can reclaim it again!

I like Grace's embarrassed teenager pose in her first pic

I was intending on including Clough Head in a long route taking in the Dodds from Dockray or there abouts but I have wondered about Fisher Wife's Rake. I look forward to you report.
The days of Grace looking proud of getting to the top of a hill are long gone I'm afraid

[nigheandonn]

Dockray makes sense if you're trying to fit Hart Side into a loop - but I think the rake would be fun if you find the right bit of it. I just need to remember that rakes go diagonally

[simon-b]

I was intending on including Clough Head in a long route taking in the Dodds from Dockray or there abouts but I have wondered about Fisher Wife's Rake.

Dockray makes sense if you're trying to fit Hart Side into a loop - but I think the rake would be fun if you find the right bit of it. I just need to remember that rakes go diagonally

Funnily enough, on my 1st round of Wainwrights I did Clough Head in a long route taking in the Dodds and Hart Side from Dockray, and on my 2nd climbed it via Fisher's Wife's Rake. Both walks were memorable, so I could recommend either. Rakes do go diagonally, but Fisher's Wife's is steep, and the angle from the fall line is less than on some rakes. It's more of a very steep walk, or sometimes a crawl, mainly on vegetation, rather than a rocky or technical scramble, as I remember.

[nigheandonn]

Mine was a best of both worlds - Keswick to Glenridding (or Helvellyn hostel, anyway).

Best picture I can find is the 6th one on this page - http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/cloughhead_r1.htm
As far as I can tell, the path slants up almost from bottom left to top right, just under the crags - but I missed the start completely and went straight up the grass strip above the scree on the right, eventually clambering out on the rough bit in the very top right corner once the grass had run out and funnelled me onto some very loose stony stuff.

Still a good day overall, and it included a detour to Raise which was one of the best bits of it.

[Sarah86]

Cracking photos as always, your photos always have a crisp clarity to them. I think the more I go to the Lakes the more I keep wanting to go back! Lovely to see an area I am not too familiar with.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Cracking photos as always, your photos always have a crisp clarity to them. I think the more I go to the Lakes the more I keep wanting to go back! Lovely to see an area I am not too familiar with.

Thanks Sarah. I must admit that I excepted to get a bit sick of the Lakes during our round of the Wainwrights. The reality of it is that every visit just makes me more smitten with place.