Barf Direct +

[Broggy1]

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I had Friday off work and I'd not been to the Lakes for ages so I decided to risk a dodgy forecast (rain and hail) to take in a few of the Lord Seat Fells again.

I'd done the direct route up Barf before and remembered it as a stiff and awkward scramble in parts with one tricky move near the end. The wet weather would also cause the scree and rock to be wet today but I was of the opinion I could always turn back and take the forest route (still steep mind) if needed.

The Clerk had a coat of paint last time I was here but he is now back to being a pretty insignificant fellow.

Initial scree slope up to the Bishop. Steep and loose but safe.

The Bishop - always a landmark.

A rough and steep track heads up to below Slape Crag where there is one awkward and exposed rock step that slants up a crack to the higher ground.

It's a mountain rescue hotspot as people can become stuck here when wandering on to the direct route rather than the forest route.

Today the rock was very slippy and the obvious foothold couldn't be trusted so I had to wedge my knee in to get up this bit.

Once beyond Slape Crag things get easier and you eventually hit the summit of Barf.

A superb rough little climb but probably best attempted on dry rock in the summer.

I got my first real downpour as I headed over to Lord's Seat summit

Cloud clearing again as I look to Aiken Beck from Broom Fell's summit

Large cairn near Broom Fell's summit.

The walk round to Graystones is easy enough from here. The ground had so far been very wet in parts so I avoided any temptation to head over to Ling and Sale Fell as I was sure Wythop Moss would be saturated and I didn't want to get wet from above and below!

Graystones summit

Looking over to Whinlatter and Grisedale Pike

After the steep descent from Graystones I headed into the quiet side valley of Aiken Beck.

The obvious route for these five would involve climbing Whinlatter or Graystones first but that would omit the excellent climb up Barf.

Brown How summit.

It's a steep pull from Aiken Beck up to the Whinlatter ridge. I opted to take a line just where the trees ended which put me between Brown How and Whinlatter Top. This involved a few fence climbs but there was a a bit of a path to help in parts.

Along the ridge to the main summit

Whinlatter Top looking to Lords Seat - clearer than earlier but showers were coming and going all day long.

Grisedale Pike ahead as I descend Whinlatter.

Firstly down the fellside then into the forest and via good tracks back to the Visitor Centre.

I would need to follow Comb Beck to get back to Thornthwaite and handily the first part of this is a well marked forest walk (the blue one)

Autumn Colours in Whinlatter Forest - offering good shelter from what was by now heavy rain

Barf again with the direct route in profile as I near the car park. Such a good looking hill.

[ChrisW]

Lovely write up Broggy

I didn't want to get wet from above and below

This reminded me of home so much