Mellbreak above the clouds

[richardkchapman]

Track_02-NOV-15 180436.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Woke up this morning to see this outside my window. Forecast was for low cloud, but if it was low enough, perhaps we could get above it? Worth a chance...



20151102-100809-7026 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

No chance of getting Sarah out of bed, so just me and Tommy (and 3 dogs) today. We decided to climb Mellbreak, setting off from the cottage we are staying at on a lovely path through the woods beside Loweswater



20151102-122243-1010041 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

Before too long we were passing the Kirkstile Inn, and Wainwright's signpost:



20151102-161942-1010070 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

At this point in the walk the day didn't look very promising - the visibility was pretty poor, and Lorraine phoned from back at the cottage to report that visibility there was down to a few yards, and was I sure that it was a good idea to be out walking. I figured we'd be ok, on clear paths with a GPS and a backup GPS...

We set off up the hillside using Wainwright's option 'A' - the path up the initial scree was a little nerve-wracking as it didn't seem to follow the route in the book or on the OS map, and I was concerned we might end up too far round on the crags - forward visibility was not good enough to ensure that we passed the crags via the recommended route. But the path seemed clear enough that we figured it must be ok.

Just below Wainwright's 'first promontory' it felt very exposed, with a steep drop to the left with nothing but cloud below (or above) but we held our nerve and scrambled up through the cloud and emerged on the first promontory to a most glorious view



20151102-135149-1010047 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr


20151102-130205-1121 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

The path up to the summit from here was very easy. Buttermere was completely full of cloud - it amused us to think of all the people down there thinking "What a miserable day"...


20151102-142154-1010058 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

The view towards Blake Fell was equally impressive:


20151102-144008-1010060 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

Looking towards the South summit.


20151102-151147-1010062 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

We weren't completely agreed about whether it was necessary to do both summits, bit it was such a lovely day and we had time in hand that there seemed little point in rushing down.


20151102-150803-1010061 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

After the South summit we headed back to the saddle, then descended back into the mist


20151102-152508-1010063 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

After a short but steep descent from the saddle we reached the path along Mosedale.

The path along Mosedale back towards Kirkstile was very easy going, and atmospheric.



20151102-155429-1010064 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

Eventually the Kirkstile Inn came into view - while we could easily have walked back to our starting point at Jenkinson Place, a warm drink at the pub and ringing for a ride home seemed a far more attractive option!


20151102-161702-1010069 by Richard Chapman, on Flickr

[ChrisW]

I bet you're glad you took the chance on things being better up top Richard, what a great decision that turned out to be Beautiful photos, love the second shot of the doggie paddle

[richardkchapman]

I bet you're glad you took the chance on things being better up top Richard, what a great decision that turned out to be Beautiful photos, love the second shot of the doggie paddle

Very glad indeed - it was a fantastic day. Though I think today's excursion topped it (which I will try to post later).

[trailmasher]

What a great day to get above the clouds RKC good report and great pictures well done

[johnkaysleftleg]

Wonderful views above the clouds, well done for persevering.