In search of Threefooted Brandreth

[johnkaysleftleg]

A three and a half month exile from the Lakes can seem like forever so it was great to head across the 'oh so familiar' A66 on a gorgeous winters morning. With the threat of ice on the roads I'd not driven over too early and picked a parking spot close to main routes to minimise the risk of putting my car in a ditch, so with this in mind me and my faithful mut, Hughie pulled into the Great wood car park just outside of Keswick. For those who were not members of the National Trust it was a freebie as the over night frost had done for the ticket machine which was as unresponsive as a teenager when you ask them to tidy their room. Suited and booted Hughie and I set off for some shock therapy on the steep path up by Cat Gill. This can often be made a bit tricky by ice as it was the last time we'd made it up here but this time ice was at a minimum with nothing of note until after the views had started to open up across Derwent Water.

Soon enough we reached the top of the Gill and broke out into a crisp winters light for the easy walk up Lady's Rake. It was a truly glorious morning to be out, the views were superb in every direction with the stupendous panorama over Derwent water from the top of Walla Crag taking top billing, I lingered for a while taking it all in, tracing the ridges, recalling walking up the ones I'd previously visited and wondering about the few I hadn't.

Out of Great Wood by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way up Lady's Rake by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Scafells and Gable looking wonderful by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Grisdale Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Almost at the summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Morning Light by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Skiddaw and Keswick by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Endless Possibilities by Anthony Young, on Flickr (click for bigger version)

Hughie on Walla Crag Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Eventually I dragged Hughie and myself away and set off across the largely frozen ground towards Bleaberry Fell. Much of this is on a well built path making progress easy with the amazing views back to Dewent Water, now complete with a fine reflection of Cat Bells, being the biggest impediment to progress. Onwards we plodded however and topped out on Bleaberry's large summit to take in yet more fine views. We didn't linger long and headed off onto new ground in the form of the broad ridge to High Seat.

Shadow Selfie looking back to Walla Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Blencathra from the Large Sheep Fold by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way up Bleaberry Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Fellside by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Cairn and Blencathra by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Sublime View by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dodd Crag leads the way to Blencathra by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dewent Water and Bassenthwaite by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Almost at Bleaberry Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Capturing the Glory by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Bleaberry Fell Summit Shelter by Anthony Young, on Flickr

There are several confusing place names in the Lakes but perhaps Three footed brandreth inscribed just to the north of High Seat on the 1:25,000 map takes the top honours. A three footed brandreth is a tripod used for cooking over an open fire and also gives it's name to the fell named Brandreth close to Buttermere. In this case the vaguely three ridged fell fits the bill physically but also in the case of it possibly being used as a beacon in the past which is another suggested source of the name. In the case of this place the reasoning is hard to figure out, this is a very broad boggy ill defined ridge full of lumps and as such in no way a sutable location for a beacon, surely that would be atop High Seat a very short distance to the South. So what on earth is it? I kept my eyes peeled as I crossed the ridge labelled with this odd title and saw very little in the way three footed things, I did see a craggy lump with three protuberances but remained unconvinced as I ascended the final pull up to High Seat.

Ground well Frozen by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way to High Seat by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Where is it? by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Three Footed Brandreth? by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Rocks by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Up there Dad? by Anthony Young, on Flickr

High Seat summit is a very fine place despite all the boggy ground surrounding it and we sat and had lunch pondering what to do next. The sensible thing, considering my lack of fitness and still niggling injury, was to take the obvious path down to Ashness Bridge and make it a nice easy short day. Perhaps it was the sunshine and the glory of the views but I simply didn't want to head down yet so my thoughts turned to the two less than stella fells to the South. Given that I've decided to crack on with a second round the chance to get rid of High Tove and Armboth here and now was just too tempting. The ground had been well frozen so far but there had been a few indications that a slight thaw was underway. I set off for what is probably the worst mile in the Lake District with a little trepidation.

High Seat Trig Point by Anthony Young, on Flickr

View to the South West by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Is it lunch time yet Dad? by Anthony Young, on Flickr

High Seat Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking up Borrowdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Before I even got to the fence I encountered some very wet unfrozen ground, Thoughts of turning back crossed my mind but I ignored them and crunched/splodged off down the fellside. The next mile to High Tove became a game of frozen ground roulette, with several collapses under my weight damaging my confidence in the terrain. The thought of going through ice up to my waist was not a possibility I was willing to contemplate so progress slowed as I picked my way around the worst. A frustrating amount of time later we trudged rather dispiritedly up to High Tove.

A bad Place by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Stuck in the middle with you by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Eddy Garve Stake apparently by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Gable from High Tove by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Helvellyn from High Tove by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The last time I was on High Tove there was a good covering of snow but this time the trod to Armboth was clearly visible so off we trundled over the half frozen ground which was somewhat like plodding through wet snow. This wasn't much of a problem going down hill and soon enough we reached Armboth's summit rocks. I was feeling tired at this point but other than Helvellyn looking quite fetching in winter garb there is not a lot to see so I plodded over to AW's clearly lower top before setting off back to High Tove. This isn't exactly a tough walk but the going over the defrosting terrain was poor so by the time I pulled myself to High Tove I felt well beat. I'm not sure if others count ascending a fell twice in a walk as two ascents or one? If so this was possibly the fourth time I'd bagged High Tove, I may not be back


Armboth Fell High Point by Anthony Young, on Flickr

High Seat from Armboth Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Wainwright's Summit on Armboth Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Even though I was knackered, down hill seemed more attractive than allowing my aching legs to cool down and tighten up so down we went to Watendlath. I somehow stayed on my feet on the steeper drop down to the hamlet, feeling mocked by Hughie's surefootedness as I slipped and slithered on the ice patches. I had considered the footpath on the west side of the beck but as it was an unknown I thought it prudent to just stick to the road all the way, as its not as if the scenery is much different.

Gable from the way down by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way Down to Watendlath by Anthony Young, on Flickr

How Green is my Valley by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Watendlath by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Reecastle Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

An Unsurprising View by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Afternoon Light by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Thwaite House by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was a largely uneventful walk down the road delayed by waiting for Ashness bridge to clear of cars, tourists and walkers so I could take a photo. The easy going on the road had been quite threaputic to the old limbs and in all honesty I felt a lot better once I got back to the car. It had been great to be back in Lakeland and bagging fells once again, I have decided to attempt to get here at least a dozen times this year to push on with round two which stood at 72 following this outing.


Ashness Bridge by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Derwent Mono by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Central Fells.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[onsen]

Crisp & clear...that goes for pics too.

[onsen]

Crisp & clear...that goes for the pics too.

[davekermito]

Super pictures as ever!

[nigheandonn]

There looks to be a *lot* less snow than when I was in the southern foothills two weeks ago! I do like the bare brown winter hills.

Whether I do a second round or not, I am never walking between High Tove and High Seat again

[johnkaysleftleg]

Crisp & clear...that goes for pics too.

Many Thanks

Super pictures as ever!

Cheers Dave

There looks to be a *lot* less snow than when I was in the southern foothills two weeks ago! I do like the bare brown winter hills.

This was at the start of January, was over there on Sunday and the high fells have a good covering starting at around 500 meters.

Whether I do a second round or not, I am never walking between High Tove and High Seat again

I've now done it three times so I think I'm certainly done with it now

[nigheandonn]

Ahh, I obviously didn't check the date. Yes, until more or less the day I went I was expecting conditions like that, then got a horrible mix of cloud and something halfway between snow and rain!

[Broggy1]

The usual awesome photographs and a good winter route.

[malky_c]

What a day! Regardless of some of the boggy trogging about, there are some lovely sharp photos in there .

[Alteknacker]

What a day! Regardless of some of the boggy trogging about, there are some lovely sharp photos in there .

Can't add anything to that really - the usual fantastic pics, pin sharp as malky says.

[trailmasher]

Once again nicely done JK great photos as usual with the good fortune of some superb lighting conditions It would probably have to get to minus 40 degrees before it was fit to walk without getting wet feet on the ridge
The path on the west side is a good alternative to the road as it's in good condition and takes away the grind on tarmac
Well done on another great winter walk

[johnkaysleftleg]

The usual awesome photographs and a good winter route.

Cheers Broggy

What a day! Regardless of some of the boggy trogging about, there are some lovely sharp photos in there .

Thanks Malky, it was just about a perfect day to be out.

Can't add anything to that really - the usual fantastic pics, pin sharp as malky says.

Thank you once again for your kind words Alte

Once again nicely done JK great photos as usual with the good fortune of some superb lighting conditions It would probably have to get to minus 40 degrees before it was fit to walk without getting wet feet on the ridge
The path on the west side is a good alternative to the road as it's in good condition and takes away the grind on tarmac
Well done on another great winter walk

[/quote]

Cheers TM, most kind. As I said previously I think I'm done with the Pewits or what ever that rotten place is called
Thanks for the info on the path down from Watendlath, I did look across and see some folks happily ambling along and think I may have made the wrong call.