A Honister Round from Buttermere

[dav2930]

Another yomp with Karl. Cold and frosty this time, with quite a lot of ice about. Took our microspkes just in case but didn't need them in the end, though the frosty rocks slowed us down in places.

Drove over Newlands Pass, which was a bit dicey, parked just above Buttermere village and set off at 9.20am. Down through village to lake, along lake-side and up to Scarth Gap. Big party of folks going up here. Over Haystacks to Blackbeck Tarn then up Brandreth, along to Grey Knotts and down to the Honister Slate Mines, where we stopped for lunch and coffee. On up Dale Head, along to Hindscarth then Robinson. Sun setting by now. Down across Buttermere Moss and descent from High Snockrigg in fading light. Lights of Buttermere coming on, sickle moon and stars appearing.

Finished with a meal in the Fish Inn as a pre-Christmas celebration. Drove home over Whinlatter. Nice day, enjoyable walk.

Fleetwith Pike from foot of Buttermere

Haystacks from the path up to Scarth Gap

Fleetwith Pike from the path up to Scarth Gap

Haystacks from Scarth Gap

Tarn on Haystacks, lightly frozen

Pillar from Haystacks

Ennerdale Water and High Crag from Haystacks

High Crag, Crummock Water and the Grasmoor fells, from Haystacks

Robinson, Skiddaw, Hindscarth and Dale Head with Fleetwith Pike in front, from Haystacks

Grey Knotts, Brandreth and the Gables, from Haystacks

Brandreth and the Gables from Innominate Tarn

Green Gable and Great Gable from Brandreth

Red Pike, Scoat Fell and Pillar, from Brandreth

Glaramara with Base Brown in front, from Brandreth

Borrowdale and Helvellyn range from Brandreth

View west from Grey Knotts

Dale Head from Grey Knotts

Borrowdale, the Dodds and Helvellyn, from Grey Knotts

Honister Slate Works - lunch stop!

Honister Crag and Buttermere from the path up Dale Head

Newlands Valley and Skiddaw, from Dale Head

Hindscarth from Dale Head

High Spy from Dale Head

Cloud-capped Gable, from Dale Head

Cairn on summit of Dale Head, looking north

Pillar from Dale Head

Grasmoor, Eel Crag, Grisedale Pike, from Hindscarth

Causey Pike and Skiddaw, from Hindscarth

Gable and Kirk Fell, from Hindscarth

Pillar from Hindscarth

Dale Head from Hindscarth

Robinson from Hindscarth

Dale Head from Robinson

Crummock Water, Rannerdale Knotts and Loweswater, from Robinson

Grasmoor, Wandope and Eel Crag, from Robinson

Skiddaw and Blencathra, from Robinson

Gable and Kirk Fell, from Robinson

Sun setting behind High Stile, from Robinson

Buttermere village beckons in the twighlight

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

[trailmasher]

Now that's a good handful for a winters day dav with a good photo selection of the surrounding fells and it looks like the day got brighter as you went on The slate mine is a handy watering hole when crossing over the pass and gets one ready for the haul up to Dale Head top

[johnkaysleftleg]

Excellent walk in what looks to be super conditions. I was lucky enough to make it over on Friday for a Coledale(ish) round. I do like the thought of the mid way cafe stop.

[dav2930]

Now that's a good handful for a winters day dav with a good photo selection of the surrounding fells and it looks like the day got brighter as you went on The slate mine is a handy watering hole when crossing over the pass and gets one ready for the haul up to Dale Head top

Thanks TM. It was nice being on the fells as the sun was setting, it gave a soft, golden light. Yep, it's a handy little café, that!

Excellent walk in what looks to be super conditions. I was lucky enough to make it over on Friday for a Coledale(ish) round. I do like the thought of the mid way cafe stop.

Thanks JK. Yes, just the conditions you want in November - clear and crisp. I must admit I'm getting quite partial to mid-way café stops! Hope you enjoyed your Coledale round; definitely one of my favourites, by whichever of it's many possible versions.

[Alteknacker]

Looks like a brilliant route; but with weather like that I guess practically any route in the LD would be brilliant! I gotta get out (sadly a bit tied up with electioneering ).

Superb pics. Really got me champing at the bit!

[dav2930]

Looks like a brilliant route; but with weather like that I guess practically any route in the LD would be brilliant! I gotta get out (sadly a bit tied up with electioneering ).

Superb pics. Really got me champing at the bit!

Thanks AK. You're right, when the weather's nice is great just to get out on the fells, full stop.

Good luck with the electioneering (you're not an MP are you?). I won't ask which party you're electioneering for, but I'm pretty sure I can guess which one you're not! I think this is going to be the most stressful election in living memory