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Previous day - a nice Place to campWe parked up at High Row – had wondered about getting parked given the scenes at Ullswater but there was a convenient car park with a few spaces
We actually sat around for a bit to avoid leaving too early (I managed to sit on a stinging nettle whilst having a pee
) and eventually we set off through the gate
It was an easy track to walk along, although it was a bit alarming to meet a few groups of “Jeremy Clarksons” in their pimped out 4x4s… A short distance on we crossed the bridge and headed right
Great Mell Fell comes into view as we climb gradually
And Blencathra – I’m getting the feeling that Clough Head is going to be a pretty decent viewpoint if we make it!
We plod on – it’s very hot and there’s not much wind down in the glen making it hard work. We see our objective ahead and it’s not getting any closer
After getting passed by another motorcyclist we reached a burn big enough to have a big long drink, top up the water and also have a bit of a wash
When we eventually got going again, we climbed up around the corner, climbed a fence and reached a grassy path heading up the steep side of Clough Head
After the struggle to get over the stile, the path started gently up the hillside. We could see tin hut, maybe used for shooting?
The path got steeper and steeper and we slowed to a crawl. I was definitely not feeling my best!
It took us ages to get up this section – it was really steep and felt like it kept going forever. However, we reached the ridge and the gradient eased. I also demanded a break
The summit itself wasn’t far away
As we followed the ridge we suddenly started to get all sorts of views…yes this was going to be a good one
Skiddaw
Almost there….!
And at last we had made it! Now on the summit we had a bit of a breeze back which was a bit of a relief!
We picked a camp spot and got the tent up – the wind was to pick up and change direction during the early hours of the next day so we hoped our pitch would take that into account! I was knackered so Malky blew the mats up
(He’s brilliant, but don’t tell him…)
The views of Blencathra were stunning
Keswick and the hills behind
Now on the summit, the whole of the Lake District had opened out before us – what a summit
Looking over to Keswick
Great Dodd with Helvellyn peeking out behind
Scotland visible – this is the Mull of Galloway
Derwent Water with Grisedale Pike & Grassmoor rounds towering behind
I take my eyes off him for one minute
The Scafells and Great Gable
The Coniston Fells across Thirlmere
The path towards Great Dodd with Helvellyn behind – this might be our route in the morning
Wee bit of cloud hitting the Scafells
Light hitting Derwent Water
We were remarkably sheltered from the wind, but as the evening drew on we added layers and got some tea on to warm up
The sunset wasn’t the most impressive ever but still very pretty
Lovely evening light
Threlkeld & Keswick
Once it got dark I thought I’d see if the trig point would work as a tripod as the moon had come out to play
We played a few games of Uno before going to sleep – I was knackered and it was a bit of a trek the next day whichever way we went down….
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The next morning I poked my head out of the door and realised that sunrise was going to happen properly this time! Malky went straight back to sleep but I thought it was worth the effort….
Early morning over the Mell Fells
Despite the light show taking place in the East, the West was all coating in cloud and mist
It was back to bed for some more sleep; by the time I was ready to get up, the wind had shifted round and increased but it wasn’t too dreadful. The shift meant that Malky was able to make breakfast while I stayed in bed. What a guy
When I finally did manage to get up properly, the sun was properly up and a lot of a grey murk that had been around earlier had burned off
The Scafells looking very atmospheric
Blencathra
Skiddaw – it was definitely hazier than yesterday but still pretty good!
After a leisurely breakfast we packed our things away and tried to dry the tent off from all the condensation. There were plenty of people passing through now, heading for Great Dodd. We decided to do the same.
There was an obvious path which split on the approach to Calfhow Pike – we figured we might as well have a look at the wee tor
Looking back to Clough Head
Looking back towards Keswick
From here we started plodded up the long ascent towards Great Dodd. It took us ages, some of it was steep but eventually the gradient eased and we were onto the summit able to see towards Helvellyn
Looking back
Ingleborough in the Dales sticking out the top of the cloud
Wee Watson’s Dodd and some more cloud clearing in the distance on the higher tops
We weren’t sure which part was the summit of Great Dodd in the end, so visited them all. The views were incredible and it was warming up
Cloud rolling down the Kirkstone Pass
I was tired and the views were good, but it was a bit chilly to hang around too much as the wind was blowing. We had an option to drop back down to the car from here, but decided to carry on along the ridge as we had done most of the ascent now anyway!
It was an easy walk out to Watson’s Dodd, and only about 20m ascent! But I was pretty sure that this wee lump was the greatest view of the day
Thirlmere
Looking back to Grisedale Pike and Grassmoor
Skiddaw
We sat around and enjoyed the views from Watson’s Dodd for ages – it was beautiful. Eventually Malky was bored so we continued – our next target was Stybarrow Dodd. A bit of a climb but not too bad.
Some interesting patterns in the grass
Another ambiguous summit, so we visited them both
Raise and Helvellyn
Looking back to Keswick & Skiddaw
Looking back to Watson’s Dodd and Great Dodd
Stybarrow Dodd summit (maybe)
It was still windy so we dropped a few metres off the summit and had a nice long break for some lunch
We were looking at our next target – White Crag
Catstye Cam looking very impressive
After enjoying a good break, we continued – dropping off towards the main path down from Stybarrow Dodd which unfortunately led us across a load of tussocks
Looking back – a last glimpse of the biggies
We went over White Stones and it was worth it for the views of Ullswater (and it was only about 20m of ascent extra
)
Looking across to High Street
Catstye Cam
Malky leads the way towards White Crags
White Crags ahead
There were views to Blencathra from White Crags
Looking back
Great Dodd
We had another sit down and finished off the water while we tried to work out how to get down from here… We saw some people appear over the top of Birkett Fell and figured there would be a nice path to follow
Lovely path leading towards the wall
Faint path leading downwards. As we dropped out of the wind it got warmer and warmer and we had to stop to lose layers!
The path got a bit squishy lower down but we managed to get through it, before joining the main path which led us to the bridge across the beck. Above the farm the impressive Dowthwaite Crag was quite striking
From here it was a gently plod uphill back to the car, which felt like it took forever…
Finally back at the car I was relieved to take my bag off (Malky probably was too, given he was carrying about 3 times what I was!) and have a good long drink. A walk that most people would easily manage in a day; at the moment breaking it into 2 days and having Malky carry everything just about made it possible for me! But I was very glad I wasn’t having to drive home – fortunately Malky did that too
