Into the Clag once more dear friends
Wainwrights: Illgill Head, Whin Rigg
Date walked: 19/08/2021
Time taken: 6 hours
Distance: 13.5km
Ascent: 711m
Another catch up report from a day way back in August last year. Details are as vague as the clag ridden views if I'm honest so this will be a quick one.
This walk was part of a night away at Irton Hall for Nicola and I. Hughie was originally going to join us but as Grace returned home early from Uni we decided to leave him to keep her company. This turned out to be somewhat of a blessing.
Things started off well with a lovely walk up Miterdale in increasingly promising conditions with the low cloud even lifting above the summit of Scafell at one point.
![Image]()
On the way up Miterdale
![Image]()
Natures Jewels
![Image]()
A typical Miterdale scene
![Image]()
Looking back along the dale
![Image]()
...and again
![Image]()
Looking across Boat How to Harter Fell and Green Crag
![Image]()
Burnmoor tarn and a almost cleared Scafell
![Image]()
Lodge at Burnmoor Tarn
![Image]()
Burnmoor Tarn and Harter Fell
![Image]()
Wasdale Head
![Image]()
Clouds still hanging around
![Image]()
Wasdale Heathers
![Image]()
Looking across to Eskdale Fell
Things started to unravel on the steep pull up Illgill head, Nicola's lack of hill fitness started to take it's toll but worse was some foot pain also started to bother her. Given we were past the half way point of the walk in terms of distance it was decided to push on. The weather's steady improvement also came to an abrupt halt and reversed itself as the clag and drizzle rolled in.
![Image]()
Taking a turn for the worst
![Image]()
Shelter on Illgill Head
Just to lift the spirits a little, as we took on some rations we overheard the lament from a gentleman who had somewhat lost his way and sounded a little crestfallen that he wasn't on the summit of Scafell, but on the more diminutive Illgill Head
He set off claiming he was still set on climbing England's second highest peak. Probably ended up climbing Great Gable instead
As we made our way along the ridge the drizzle turned to rain and the visibility got even worse if anything. Tops bagged it was time to descend back down to the car which required some saturated ground to be covered, at this point we were thankful that Hughie wasn't present as sharing a nice hotel room with a filthy soggy hound would not have been pleasant.
![Image]()
...and the summit
![Image]()
As close as we'll get to a dramatic view today
![Image]()
Shelter on Whin Rigg
![Image]()
Whin Rigg Summit?
Getting down seemed to take an age, especially for Nicola who was in quite a bit of pain with her feet
but eventually we made it and drove the short distance to Irton Hall. In stark contrast to the weather the hotel was lovely with great staff, room and food. I always say a walk is better than any day at work, I must admit that was possibly not the case this time.
This walk was part of a night away at Irton Hall for Nicola and I. Hughie was originally going to join us but as Grace returned home early from Uni we decided to leave him to keep her company. This turned out to be somewhat of a blessing.
Things started off well with a lovely walk up Miterdale in increasingly promising conditions with the low cloud even lifting above the summit of Scafell at one point.

On the way up Miterdale

Natures Jewels

A typical Miterdale scene

Looking back along the dale

...and again

Looking across Boat How to Harter Fell and Green Crag

Burnmoor tarn and a almost cleared Scafell

Lodge at Burnmoor Tarn

Burnmoor Tarn and Harter Fell

Wasdale Head

Clouds still hanging around

Wasdale Heathers

Looking across to Eskdale Fell
Things started to unravel on the steep pull up Illgill head, Nicola's lack of hill fitness started to take it's toll but worse was some foot pain also started to bother her. Given we were past the half way point of the walk in terms of distance it was decided to push on. The weather's steady improvement also came to an abrupt halt and reversed itself as the clag and drizzle rolled in.

Taking a turn for the worst

Shelter on Illgill Head
Just to lift the spirits a little, as we took on some rations we overheard the lament from a gentleman who had somewhat lost his way and sounded a little crestfallen that he wasn't on the summit of Scafell, but on the more diminutive Illgill Head


As we made our way along the ridge the drizzle turned to rain and the visibility got even worse if anything. Tops bagged it was time to descend back down to the car which required some saturated ground to be covered, at this point we were thankful that Hughie wasn't present as sharing a nice hotel room with a filthy soggy hound would not have been pleasant.

...and the summit

As close as we'll get to a dramatic view today

Shelter on Whin Rigg

Whin Rigg Summit?
Getting down seemed to take an age, especially for Nicola who was in quite a bit of pain with her feet


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johnkaysleftleg
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