free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
With hill walking ground to a complete halt due to various reasons I thought I'd finish off the report for my last day out in the hills. Like my last trip over to Lakeland I wasn't feeling like much of a challenge so decided to do another straightforward simple walk that required little thinking and therefore much time for quiet contemplation.
Although the fells of Watermillock Common looked tempting I decided to keep it simple and leave them for another day and set off from the elevated start of High Row down the quiet road to Dowthwaite Head. All was indeed quiet (apart from a shouty collie dog at the farm) and I was soon well on my way up Birkett Fell as the muted dawn was turning into a beautiful morning.
Soft morning at High Row by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Approaching Dowthwaite Head by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Morning light on the wall by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Dowthwaite Panorama by
Anthony Young, on Flickr (click to see bigger size)
Looking back along the trod by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Through the wall to Catstyecam by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Pennines across the Eden Valley by
Anthony Young, on Flickr(click for bigger version)
Superb views opening up behind me by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Across the Helvellyn by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
You Take My Breath Away by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Cairn on Birkett Fell by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
I didn't pause for long on Birkett Fell (as one would hope, a Birkett) and carried onto Hart Side to have breakfast hunkered down out of the chill breeze in the strange Dyke which runs across the summit. Feeling good I was soon on my way again (missing out the newly demoted Hewitt of Green Side) and enjoying the ever changing light as the clouds came and went providing some spectacular views towards the Far Eastern Fells.
Hart Side Summit by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Dyke across Hartside summit by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Forward to Stybarrow Dodd by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Locals by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking Down Deepdale by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Skyfall by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking back to Hartside by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
By the time we reached Stybarrow Summit it was obvious the Western side of the ridge wasn't quite enjoying the same conditions as the Eastern but the constant change was very entertaining if difficult to capture on camera. Watson's Dodd was quickly visited before heading off towards Great Dodd. Having visited Watson's Dodd in fine conditions I am aware that the view is wonderful, with the clag down however it is amongst the most pointless of all Wainwrights.
Bit of a View on Stybarrow Dodd by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Sunshine and mist on the way to Watson's Dodd by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Dramatic Skies over Stybarrow Dodd by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Nothing to see on Watson's Dodd by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
It looked touch and go for a while but we were afforded tremendous views to the East on Great Dodd before dropping down following the first other walker of the day who had appeared ahead of me. As they continued on we stopped at Calfhow Pike to consume some rations and enjoy the views which were quite splendid. Calfhow Pike is a fine top and far better than just about any other in the immediate vicinity. Hughie and I had an extended break before starting on the gentle rise up to Clough Head.
Ever Changing Light by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Stybarrow Dodd clearing by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Views from Great Dodd Shelter by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Hughie by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Great Dodd Summit by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
A Glimpse down Rowantree Gill by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Calfhow Pike catches the light by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
North Western Fells from Calfhow Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Northern Fells from Calfhow Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Thirlmere from Clafhow Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
By this time I'd seen a few other walkers and a paraglider floating about in the skies but it remained largely quiet as I reached Clough Head's fine summit affording fantastic views over the Vale of Keswick. I wandered over to White Pike, a Stony little summit which looks quite prominent from below and made a bee line (a drunken bee admittedly) down towards Mariel Bridge.
Up by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Clough Head Summit by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Clag coming in again by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Vale of Keswick from Clough Head by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
White Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Rust Belt by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Looking back to White Pike by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Being unsure of the stile situation I managed an ungainly crossing of the fence and ditch (for future reference the is a stile closer to the bridge) to reach the Old Coach Road to enable a simple walk back to High Row. 4x4s are allowed along here but unlike other tracks where motor vehicles are allowed it seems to being maintained OK (better condition than my memory suggested from last time I was wandering along it) and we pottered the last few miles of a really nice walk back to the car.
Wolf Crags by
Anthony Young, on Flickr
Old Coach Road by
Anthony Young, on Flickr