A Kentmere Round with a difference

A Kentmere Round with a difference, 12.5miles 3400ft

The traditional Kentmere Round takes in the fells to the East of the valley returning down the fells to the West.

Today's walk goes up the valley, climbs out at the head to High Street and returns down the western fells.

Leaving the Kentmere village institute parking area next to St

Cuthberts church on a lovely sunny morning.

Today's route ahead up the valley to the High Street ridge

returning down the fells to the left

In a remote location a couple of miles up the valley is this

Blackburn with Darwen youth residentional centre

Continuing up the valley....

....to the Kentmere reservoir

Looking back into the sun from a lovely path along the reservoir 

 Looking back down the valley from beside the infant river Kent

A view of the return route over Froswick, Ill Bell, & Yoke 

The view down Hall Cove after the steep climb to the ridge

I arrived at High Street summit (2717ft)at the same time as these

three. We had all come from, and were leaving in different directions having seen nobody 'till then. 

I then returned to the path following the head of the valley.... 

.... which leads round to the route back over the western fells

Looking back to Froswick and beyond from Ill Bell summit

Kentmere village below after continuing over Yoke

Finally the church and parking area lie just below

 

Scales to Mungrisdale via Doddick fell

 A very scenic walk on a great day.

Scales to Mungrisdale via Doddick fell, Blencathra, views of Sharp Edge, Bowscale fell & Bannerdale Crags - 9miles 3250ft   

Setting off from Scales on the A66 near Keswick

Climbing up Doddick fell ridge with Scaley beck on the right

Looking back down part of the ridge with Combe Head of last week's

walk across the valley

Gaining height on the ridge

Doddick fell summit now in the foreground with Blencathra summit

behind

Zooming in on Sharp Edge across Scaley beck

Blencathra summit 2847ft today's highest point

Looking back down my route of ascent

The summit ridge of Blencathra with Derwentwater just visible in

the distance

Skiddaw also from the summit 

Starting the descent to Scales tarn...

.... with Sharp Edge again above the tarn

Enjoying a drink and rest by the tarn before climbing up to Sharp

Edge

Scales tarn from the start of the 'Edge'

Looking along the start of the 'Edge'

Looking back to the Blencathra ridge from the path to Bowscale fell

I had lunch on Bowscale fell pictured here from the path as I

headed for Bannerdale Crags 

Bannerdale Crags summit with Mungrisdale below

Bannerdale Crags as I descended the East Ridge 

Finally walking into the village of Mungrisdale 

Threlkeld to Aira Force (Ullswater) via Clough Head, Calfhow Pike & the Old Coach Road 13miles2900ft  

Looking up to Blencathra behind Threlkeld....

....and ahead to today's first climb Clough Head

Halfway up the scree path on Clough Head, Coledale fells and

Derwentwater on the horizon 

Zooming in on the Coledale fells and Derwentwater 

Skiddaw & Bassenthwaite from the very welcome wind shelter on

Clough Head summit 

Thirlmere was in view as I continued to Calfhow Pike

 Looking back to Clough Head from Calfhow Pike

Looking back to Clough Head and Calfhow Pike from the Old Coach

Road to Ullswater 

The Old Coach Road provides easy walking with some lovely views....

....before arriving at the village of Dockray

Aira Beck flows through Dockray where the Aira Force waterfalls

start

Paths follow both sides of the beck and there are frequent crossing

points 

Looking straight down from one of the bridges....

 ....and back along the deep gorge

 Finally finishing close to the shore of Ullswater.

A great day's walking but a rather grey day with very high winds on the summits  

Stonethwaite (Borrowdale)

Stonethwaite (Borrowdale) to The Old Dungeon Ghyll (Langdale) via Eagle Crag, Sergeant's Crag & High Raise. 10miles 2900ft

Leaving Stonethwaite village over Stonethwaite Beck 

with Eagle Crag in the distance

 Bull Crag (right) Eagle Crag (left) this short section of my route

was on both the Cumbria Way and the Coast to Coast Path

Approaching Eagle Crag, again crossing Stonethwaite Beck  

Many of the becks I had to cross today were made difficult being in

full spate after heavy rain and snow melt 

Looking back into Borrowdale as I start the climb up Eagle Crag

A steep drop down into Langstrath from about half way in the climb

Borrowdale again as I approach the summit

The way ahead to Sergeant's Crag and High Raise from the summit

Looking back to Sergeant's Crag summit after crossing the very

boggy moss 

Looking over Langstrath to the North Western fells from near the

summit of High Raise

 Descending to Stakes pass with Bow Fell in cloud

Finally Mickleden and Langdale with Pike'o'Blisco on the horizon.

(I don't know where the strange criss cross patterns on these last two

photos came from!!!) 

A tough day on the fells today with very strong winds and difficult terrain but thankfully no rain!