Fleetwith Pike & Haystacks

 Fleetwith Pike & Haystackswith visits to two Bothies leaving from Honister 8miles, 2400ft                               

Thanks Danny for your company today on a 'Blue Sky Day' and a Gold star walk!

Fleetwith Pike our first climb after leaving Honister behind us

 I was joined on my walk today by Danny, with Honister pass and the

quarry works below.

The sun was just rising over Grey Knotts

Danny arrives at the summit of Fleetwith Pike 2126ft

Zooming in on Melbreak Fell, the Solway coast and the Galloway

peninsular. 

Buttermere and Crummock water (behind) from Fleetwith Pike

On the descent from Fleetwith we called in with a little Christmas

decoration for Dubs Hut bothy.

Shortly after we arrived at the very well camouflaged Warnscale

bothy....

 .... where who should we find but Father Christmas doing a bit of

fell walking!

He had also brought some decoration for the bothy's window.

A view from behind the bothy looking down into Warnscale

We could also see our next climb to Haystacks....

... whilst also looking back to Fleetwith Pike.

We passed Blackbeck Tarn on the way to the summit

Here I am on the summit (1900ft) after losing a mitten, which was

recovered on the descent!

Finishing with a final walk down the route of the old quarry tramway

Allerdale Ramble

A low level Allerdale ramble from Bassenthwaite lake to Cockermouth - 13miles 1000ft

Leaving the car parked near Mirehouse historic house & gardens

St Bega's church on the shore of the lake dates from pre Norman

times and is the end point of St Bega's Way ancient pilgrimage route 

Part of the interior (the high altar)

The path continues along the lake side

The water level remains higher than usual and in places nearly

covered the board walk 

Looking back to the Whinlatter fells from the lakeside

After leaving the lake the path passes the very grand 

Armathwaite Hall hotel and spa.

Ever felt your being watched?

The path next joins the banks of the River Derwent, which flows

through Cockermouth

.

Crossing over the river at Isel Bridge

Then follows the only climb of the day - Watch Hill 834ft from

which the Buttermere fells could be seen.... 

....and soon after the town of Cockermouth comes into view

Cockermouth is a lovely town with many interesting features and

shops and is well worth a visit.

Mardale Head circuit -

 Mardale Ill  Bell, High Street, Kidsty Pike, High Raise & Lad Crags. 13miles 3250ft 

Leaving the car parked at Mardale Head

Small Water beck outflow from the Small Water tarn 

The shelters on the side of the tarn below Mardale Ill Bell

Small Water tarn and Haweswater reservoir in the distance

Arriving at High Street summit trig point (2718ft) after crossing

Mardale Ill Bell in thick cloud

Clouds now risen out of Randale from Rampsgill Head

Zooming in on Mardale Head

Looking back to High Street in cloud and Riggindale Crags

The 3rd climb of today to Kidsty Pike....

....followed by another climb to High Raise summit cairn 2634ft

Lunch time stop with a view down Haweswater....

....and a tree growing out of Lad Crags

Late Autumn colour in the  descent down Measand beck

The final walk back along the side of Haweswater....

....a lovely walk but a long way after some tough climbs!

The Langdales

The Langdales including a detailed look around Pavey Ark - 

9miles 3000ft

Setting off from The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel

Looking back up the Langdale valley with the sun catching The Band

Climbing up beside Mill beck to Stickle tarn

Stickle tarn with Pavey Ark behind

Zooming in on the not so easy Easy Gully! (bottom left to top

right)

Stickle tarn from the sketchy short cut path to climb the fell via

North Rake

Pavey Ark again with the definitely not to be taken Jacks Rake

(centre bottom to top left)

Zooming in Jacks Rake

Looking over the steep drop at the top of Easy Gully

Some of the Eastern fells still in cloud

Stickle tarn again from Pavey Ark summit

Zooming in on Windermere from Harrison Stickle summit today's

highest point 2415ft

Pike'o Stickle from Harrison Stickle

Looking back at Harrison Stickle before descending to Stakes pass

Ken from Kendal who joined me for lunch and the return to the ODG

(hotel). Thanks Ken for your good company and kindred walking spirit!

The final stretch heading down Mickleden