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In order to keep up the momentum of our bagging weekend we headed back to the Lakes to mop up the Uldale fells in the far north of the park. I had plotted out a route that took in six fells from Longlands, one of the few places you can park in this neck of the woods. Given the great forecast and the quiet reputation of these fells we hadn't particularly rushed over the A66 and got a bit of a nasty shock to find the limited parking very close to used up. Fortunately I was able to squeeze off the road and we set off on my slightly inelegant hummingbird
shaped route (see below).
There was a lovely chill in the air as we set off but it wasn't long before we warmed up on our way up Longlands Fell. The cool air was providing superb visibility with not only Criffel but the higher hills of Galloway behind clearly visible.
Longlands Fell quickly came and went along with the Birkett top of Lowthwaite Fell before we contoured round towards Brae Fell.
Setting out by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Binsey by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
First of the Day by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Lowthwaite and Longlands Fells by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Brae Fell by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The views from here were fairly similar to Longlands, if slightly more extensive to the East so onwards we went to our lunch date on Little Sca Fell. This is a nice top with an unusual sunken summit shelter and it made a fine place for our repast. As is often the case this minor top is clearly superior to the main top of Great Sca Fell which is flat boggy and fairly dreary.
Great Sca Fell by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Much the same could be said of the trudge up Knott, the high point of our walk. I’d be lying if a few thoughts along the lines of “why am I doing this?” didn't cross my mind on the way up. The reward for the trudge was a magnificent summit view that lacked in depth but little else. The visibility was superb with views to the north stretching around 70 miles with distant hills like the Cheviot clearly visible. To the South the views denied us so far opened up with the skyline of the Eskdale round standing out very clearly. We lingered awhile taking it all in before heading back to the shallow col and then steeply down the open grassy fell side towards Meal Fell.
Trudging up Knott by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Blencathra from Knott by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
The Scafells beyond Great Calva by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Grace and Hughie on Knott by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
High Pike by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Fell Side Textures by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Looking towards Meal Fell by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Uldale Fells by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
For big version follow the link
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkaysleftleg/9840987916/in/photostream/lightbox/Meal Fell has a fine summit shelter giving it the sense of being a little fort in the middle of the hills and we enjoyed a bit more fuel and a bit of a sit down. The final fell of the round, the intriguingly named Great Cockup, looks very close from here but there’s a fair drop down to the pass of Trusmadoor before an initially steep ascent.
Family shot on Meal Fell by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Trusmadoor by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Trusmadoor from the ascent of Great Cockup by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
It was while we were crossing Trusmadoor when I made the innocent comment of it looking like a great place for a wild camp that set Graces imagination running riot. Needless to say we are now checking out reviews of lightweight tents, sleeping bags etc with dreams of a summit camp on Sgurr Na Stri or such like. My daughter isn't easily dissuaded once she gets something in her head so I’d say sooner or later it
will happen.
The main feature of Great Cockup is its view of Skiddaw behind the impressive Dead Crags of Bakerstall, otherwise its a bit nondescript and we soon headed down the open fell side before making our way along a lovely path above Longlands Beck.
Back O'Skiddaw by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Grace and Hughie on Great Cockup by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Heading down from Great Cockup by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Many might consider these fells a bit boring but for me there is far more drama and interest in this landscape than is obvious upon initial viewing. The Uldale fells are like walking in another area altogether as they are so different too much of the Lakes, I for one could spend many a happy day wandering around this part of the world and I suspect I will do just that in the coming years.