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Northern Fells Completed

Northern Fells Completed


Postby johnkaysleftleg » Thu Mar 26, 2015 11:46 pm

Wainwrights included on this walk: Bakestall, Great Calva

Hewitts included on this walk: Great Calva

Date walked: 17/02/2015

Distance: 13 km

Ascent: 785m

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With poor weather on the way we decided to take advantage of what might be our last decent day and finish off the Northern Fells. We parked at Peter House Farm and set off up the Cumbrian Way towards the col between our two targets for the day. It was overcast and chilly but the easy going meant relatively rapid progress towards the impressive Whitewater Dash.

ImageSetting Off by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageAlong the Wall by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageHeading towards Whitewater Dash by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageDead Crags by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageAt the top of Dash Falls by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

The good going very soon became anything but as we started up the very eroded path of sorts by the fence. Very briefly the sun broke through but this was a false dawn as we soon plunged into clag. Fortunately the ground for this infamously boggy section between Little Calva and the main top was mainly frozen making going far better than it could have been. As we gained height the wind had steadily increased and it was a relief once we reached the summit and clambered over the fence to have lunch in/around the snow filled shelter.

ImageThe Days only Splash of Sunlight by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageGreat Calva by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageBlinking Freezing! by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageSouth from Great Calva by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Lunch was enjoyed in the lea of the wind and some views even threatened to open up. Soon it was time to move off and we received a rude awakening as the wind had increased significantly as we ate. It felt seriously cold on the other side of the fence and it was a case of losing altitude ASAP to get out of the worst of it. This resulted in taking the wrong trod off the top necessitating the crossing of some very rough heather to get back on course. Hughie was not a fan and after a while he was refusing to move meaning the normally resilient hound got a carry.
Getting back on the Cumbrian Way was welcome and soon it was time for the last climb of the day up Birkett Edge

ImageHeading up Birkett Edge by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

This was good going just about the whole way up and although it was cold on the top it felt tropical compared to Great Calva. I had planed a descent along the top of Dead Crags but given the extremity steep finish to this route and the threat of rain I decided to return the way we came before returning to the car.

ImageSkiddaw from Bakestall by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageBad Hair Day by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageBlencathra from Bakestall by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

ImageDead Crags from Birkett Edge by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

I have got to admit that when we set out to climb the Wainwrights the Northern fells did not set the heart racing but I've enjoyed every walk here. These fells, especially the Back o'Skidda and Blencahra have a very special atmosphere not repeated elsewhere in the district. See you later Northen fells, we'll be back.


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johnkaysleftleg
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Posts: 3340
Munros:25   Corbetts:11
Fionas:11   Donalds:3
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 28, 2009
Location: County Durham

Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby simon-b » Sat Mar 28, 2015 4:58 pm

Well done on completing the Northern Fells. A lot of us have grown to like them more than we thought we would.
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simon-b
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Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:06 pm

simon-b wrote:Well done on completing the Northern Fells. A lot of us have grown to like them more than we thought we would.


Cheers Simon
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johnkaysleftleg
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Posts: 3340
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Location: County Durham

Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby nigheandonn » Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:26 pm

I'm quite looking forward to the Northern Fells, so I hope they don't disappoint me ;-)

Congratulations on the completion - which area's next?
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nigheandonn
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Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby L-Hiking » Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:26 pm

When you decide to get rid of your camera and buy a new model, I have a home for you're old one!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
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L-Hiking
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Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Sun Mar 29, 2015 5:56 pm

nigheandonn wrote:I'm quite looking forward to the Northern Fells, so I hope they don't disappoint me ;-)

Congratulations on the completion - which area's next?


I'm sure they won't disappoint, Some wonderful walking. I think the Far Eastern may well be the next book to be completed.

L-Hiking wrote:When you decide to get rid of your camera and buy a new model, I have a home for you're old one!! :lol: :lol: :lol:


My hill camera is a Canon EOS M at the moment, I got sick of lugging my old 400D around :lol: You can get these very cheaply for an excellent little camera at the moment. About £225.
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johnkaysleftleg
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Posts: 3340
Munros:25   Corbetts:11
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Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 28, 2009
Location: County Durham

Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby ChrisW » Wed Apr 01, 2015 11:48 pm

Lovely stuff JK, congrats on completing the Northern Fells :clap:

Hughie was not a fan and after a while he was refusing to move meaning the normally resilient hound got a carry.
You know it's bad when the dog gives up :lol: :lol:
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ChrisW
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Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby mike202 » Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:27 pm

nice one finishing the northern fells. You're right they do have a certain charm of their own. :)
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mike202
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Posts: 31
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Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Wed Apr 08, 2015 3:36 pm

mike202 wrote:nice one finishing the northern fells. You're right they do have a certain charm of their own. :)


Cheers Mike
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johnkaysleftleg
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Posts: 3340
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Wainwrights:214   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 28, 2009
Location: County Durham

Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby Dexter terrier » Thu Apr 09, 2015 9:32 am

Well done and excellent photos :D
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Re: Northern Fells Completed

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Fri Apr 10, 2015 9:37 am

Dexter terrier wrote:Well done and excellent photos :D


Thanks Dexter
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johnkaysleftleg
Hill Bagger
 
Posts: 3340
Munros:25   Corbetts:11
Fionas:11   Donalds:3
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:172
Wainwrights:214   Islands:8
Joined: Jan 28, 2009
Location: County Durham

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