Barrow

[Derek T]

Barrow was the last of four Wainwrights bagged on 13 Feb 2011.

My full day out is recorded in these threads:

• Binsey;
• Dodd;
• Latrigg;
• Barrow.

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I parked in what I first thought was a layby heading out of Braithwaite up towards the north side of Derwentwater but, after returning to the car, now realise was a passing place

Anyone wishing to climb this fell should park in Braithwaite, which has ample free parking and is very close to the starting point at Braithwaite Lodge.

The ascent from Braithwaite is straight up the north east ridge on a grassy slope that is quite steep and with many false summits. This was my first big day out on the hills this year and by this point I was really starting to feel the strain in my legs. The false summits really didn't help!

As I climbed I became aware of the fells immediately to the left and right of the ridge I was climbing and started to think about a circular route that would allow me to end the day with a bang. A quick check of the map led me to thoughts of bagging Stile End (not a wainwright), Outerside, Scar Crags and Causey Pike. That spurred me on for a few minutes until I realised how high and steep those last two fells are so I changed the plan and decided that Barrow and Outerside would do for today. But, by the time I reached the summit of Barrow the weather was starting to close in again and it was now after 3pm and it had taken me over and hour to climb to the summit.

I hadn't given up on Outerside yet so headed down towards Barrow Door and then up onto Stile End summit. The weather was now turning and the rain was back on full flow. With only an hour or so of daylight remaining I decided to head back to Braithwaite and call it a day. Outerside will wait for another day.

Looking back to where I started the day...

After a well-earned pint in The Royal Oak in Braithwaite I headed home along the A66. As I crossed the junction with the M6 I looked in my rear view mirror and saw the most fabulous sunset developing over the fells. After a day of being soaked and blown around on even these low summits it was frustrating to see this wonderful sight but awe inspiring at the same time.

My crappy BlackBerry photograph doesn't even come close to doing this justice but you will get the idea...

This was a great day out. Four Wainwrights bagged and over 4,000ft of ascent in four separate walks in one day

[colgregg]

Was it your intention to do the four summits in one day or something the weather forced on you? Looking at your pics it seemed a very sensible idea and one which I'll consider in the future if the weather on the tops is looking a bit iffy. Many's the time I've set off in bad weather with the hope, more often than not a false one, that the weather will improve only to find myself wandering around for hours in a pea souper when I could have ticked of a few lower level tops and got some decent views, too.

[john923]

Thanks for this set of reports. We're off to the Lakes for a few days next week and it's useful to have some ideas in reserve for those 'not quite so perfect' days. From your pics you made the right call on the day. Cheers.

[Derek T]

Was it your intention to do the four summits in one day or something the weather forced on you?

My objective was to tick-off Binsey, Dodd and Latrigg as I am heading back to the lakes for a weekend soon to finish off 15 other Northern Fells in three days. That will be Wainwright's Book Five "Bagged"

I finished a couple of hours ahead of schedule so decided to head over to Barrow just for the hell of it. It wasn't until I got onto the hill that I started thinking of doing some more but the weather and the lack of daylight hours quickly quashed that plan.

But I am more than happy with bagging 4 on a day when I set out to do 3

[susanmyatt]

You'll enjoy the Back of Skiddaw fells, we parked up at Longlands and headed up Trousmador, check my posts (23rd June 2010)for the walk Derek, we only have Bakestall and Great Calva in the Northern Fells, good hunting