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All catch ups done, here’s the first one for 2013. Once again the bagging of what is now the final push for Wainwright compleation (Yes, I’ve borrowed the spelling from Sir Hugh!), the magic 200 mark is in sight and today was the day.
With the MWIS forecast saying fine, cold & sunny, extensive views etc., it was off to get Gowbarrow Fell which we’d missed in the rain between Xmas and New Year and then to Thackthwaite for Fellbarrow and Low Fell.
Jim, Cindy (Mrs Jim), Jeremy and of course Lassie were the brave souls who trusted my driving all the way to Dockray and this time having diligently studied the map; found the correct parking spot, which was the same place we’d parked in November to do Stybarrow Dodd and the northern leg of the Helvellyn range.
The weather was as stated and we soon wandered off down the wrong path
before correcting ourselves (well it looked okay on the map) and crossing the beck to hit the path towards Aira Force. Gowbarrow Fell was obvious on the skyline,
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 009.jpg]()
- Gowbarrow Fell
helped along by a great big green sign on the path
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 012.jpg]()
- Signpost
A steady plod uphill with some beautiful views of Ullswater and surrounding Fells made the walk a good warm up and noticing two fellow walkers had beaten us to the summit; I forgot to get a summit photo but managed instead to get good photos of Little and Great Mell Fell. They looked very benign and pretty compared to our last visit in December’s howling gale and pouring rain.
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 015.jpg]()
- Little Mell Fell
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 016.jpg]()
- Great Mell Fell
Whilst on the top I couldn’t help noticing that Skiddaw and Blencathra were rapidly disappearing into cloud and a nagging doubt about the accuracy of the MWIS forecast crept into my mind.
Returning to the car I said ‘good morning’ to the driver of the car parked next to us, who asked if he was near Great Mell Fell. I noticed he was clad in what appeared to be very new, but expensive kit and he was brandishing a copy of AW’s Eastern Fells. I pulled out my map and pointed to a place we’d parked for our walk up the Mell Fells. He seemed surprised a) he was so far away and b) that a yellow line on the map was a road! Nevertheless in true ex Boy Scout, ex Policeman fashion, he got an excellent set of directions of where to park and how to complete both Mell Fells. It occurred to me on the car journey to Thackthwaite that he may not have realised that AW’s directions are fifty years old and one or two things may have changed since AW was around these parts. Hope he made it okay and beat the weather!
Talking of weather, MWIS were definitely blindsided as the snow arrived about three hours earlier than forecast as when we got to Thackthwaite, this is what greeted us
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 019.jpg]()
- Jim, Cindy, Jeremy and Lassie modelling latest fashion in HighViz vests for Dogs.
As you can see the weather had deteriorated somewhat,
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 020.jpg]()
- Jeremy, Cindy and Grasmoor in the snow
The wind had picked up and it was snowing. A gentleish uphill to Fellbarrow got us to the trig point or as Jim had once heard it described by a very young Scout to his Leader ‘Is this the Strangulation Point, Skip?’. Fellbarrow has also the honour of being Wainwright 200 for me.
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 023.jpg]()
- Fellbarrow Number 200
Fellbarrow was chilly so we pushed on along the ridge towards Low Fell before stopping for lunch, then following the path southwards. Apparently according to AW we should have been rewarded by great views down Crummock Water and Buttermere but as you can see, not today!
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 024.jpg]()
- Crummock Water and Mellbreak,just!
Low Fell was/is a low fell
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 027.jpg]()
- Jim and Cindy, Low Fell
and the views weren’t there, so after the obligatory photos we headed off down a good path back to Thackthwaite. I took this photo of Fellbarrow and a strange collection of random trees.
![Gowbarrow Fell etc - 130113 031.jpg]()
- Random Trees & Fellbarrow
Lassie who had had a great day, plenty of stones to chew and fetch, she also found several large branches to carry, which threatened to knee cap anyone who strayed too close to her. On reaching the road suddenly dawdled, head down and melancholy expression reflecting her disappointment that the fun was ending. We cheered up though with a quick pint at the Wheatsheaf, Jennings Cumberland Ale (what else!) in Low Lorton before heading back to the A66 and the drive home.
