Harter Fell and High Street snowy solo wanderings

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

There's some lovely pictures in between them. Nice one.

Snow, falling on icy untreated roads, made my early morning drive to Haweswater an interesting one. Mine was the only car in the car park at the head of the lake - on a day when I had the hills entirely to myself.

Above the car park, the "North Face" of Harter Fell loomed in the dawn sky.
IMG_2870 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
The plod up to Gatescarth Pass was uneventful, but by the time I reached the summit of the pass the sun was fully up and illuminating the higher fells - but Harter Fell itself cast a deep shadow over the valley.
IMG_2879 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
I've climbed Harter Fell many times - this was one of the most memorable. As I reached the northern top of the fell, I could see across to Blea Tarn and the skyline of High Street, Rampsgill Head, Kidsty Pike and High Raise.
IMG_2919 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Snow layers patterned the summit ridge.
IMG_2920 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
And I could look down on the full length of Haweswater surrounded by frosty fells.
IMG_2923 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
More snow layers in the foreground of this view over towards Kentmere Pike: Morecambe bay in the background.
IMG_2930 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Harter Fell's summit cairn combines stones and old bits of iron - "spectral weirdness... an adornment that has a nightmarish quality" says Wainwright. However today it looked more like a Christmas cake covered in icing sugar.
IMG_2949 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
I could see right over to the Western Fells - skyline is Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Great End.
IMG_2940 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
There was also a nearer view of the Ill Bell - Froswick ridge, with the faraway Coniston fells beyond.
IMG_2956 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
As I started down the ridge towards the Nan Bield col, I noticed this wind-blown pattern of snow layers.
IMG_2957 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Kentmere reservoir, Yoke and Ill Bell from the slopes above Nan Bield.
IMG_2973 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
More snow formations, these near the top of Mardale Ill Bell.
IMG_2979 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
I wandered over to the southern edge of High Street's summit plateau for the view towards Windermere and Morecambe Bay.
IMG_2982 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
The wall at the top of High Street was plastered with blown snow.
IMG_2998 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Looking westwards from the summit - Fairfield's Cofa Pike and St Sunday Crag, with a skyline of Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike and Helvellyn beyond.
IMG_2994 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Similar but wider shot - left of Helvellyn is Catstycam, White Side, Raise, Stybarrow Dodd, Great Dodd and Blencathra.
IMG_3011 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Wind-scoured snow alongside the wall north of High Street's summit.
IMG_3021 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
It was as if someone had used a giant brush and comb set.
IMG_3016 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Soon I could see Hayeswater, with lots of ice on it.
IMG_3025 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
A cloud started growing on Fairfield. The sunlit hill in the foreground is Knott.
IMG_3054 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
The top of Rampsgill Head gave me a great view down into Martindale.
IMG_3057 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
Cloud was building over the higher fells as the sun started to go down. This is a view from the col between Rampsgill Head and Kidsty Pike.
IMG_3079 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
After visiting Kidsty Pike and High Raise, last stop before the descent was Low Raise, with a sombre twilight prospect of Blencathra above a series of frosty ridges.
IMG_3084 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
The cairn on Low Raise was plastered with snow on the east, and looked back towards massing cloud on the high fells.
IMG_3086 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr
The west side of the cairn, in contrast, looked out over a peaceful evening scene towards the Pennines.
IMG_3083 by Tim Pearce, on Flickr

[jacob]

There's some lovely pictures in between them. Nice one.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

There's some lovely pictures in between them. Nice one.

Thanks!! it was a great day

[ChrisW]

You certainly seemed to have timed that perfectly HMHT, what wonderful views, so few footprints of others around too (always a good thing ) Love the photos, particularly the 'snow pattern' shots...lovely

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

You certainly seemed to have timed that perfectly HMHT, what wonderful views, so few footprints of others around too (always a good thing ) Love the photos, particularly the 'snow pattern' shots...lovely

Cheers Chris, yes it was a great day, so beautiful that I couldn't go wrong really with the photos! Thanks! tim

[trailmasher]

A damn decent report with great photos and snowy conditions There is so much to see from 'up there' and you made a great job of advertising the area maybe too good when other walkers see what there is
Well done you

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

A damn decent report with great photos and snowy conditions There is so much to see from 'up there' and you made a great job of advertising the area maybe too good when other walkers see what there is
Well done you

Cheers trailmasher, yes despite the lack of sharp pointy peaks, the fells east of Kirkstone are among my favourites, less fashionable than others maybe - but that is part of their charm!

Tim