Alcock tarn, Heron pike, Great Rigg & Stone Arthur from Rydal: 10.5miles 2850ft

After parking at White Moss near Rydal I headed north above Grasmere climbing towards Alcock tarn with Dunmail Raise, Steel fell & Helm Crag in view ahead.

Reflections and a little sunshine as I passed this pool on the way to the tarn

Looking directly into the break in the clouds

Grasmere with Silver Howe behind

The distinctive outline of the Langdale pikes as the cloud lifts

Helm Crag with Greenup edge and Ullscarf  behind

Arriving at Alcock tarn with Stone Arthur the route of my return path on the horizon. 

The Langdales & High Raise again from the tarn

Looking south to Morecambe bay with Coniston Water just visible

Grasmere from the climb to Heron pike

Heron pike is on the ridge which the Fairfield Horeshoe walk follows on its western leg. There are views along the ridge to many stretches of  water including Windermere to the south 

Heron pike summit 2008ft with the view ahead to Great Rigg and Fairfield still in cloud

The Helvellyn ridge seen over Grisedale Hause

My apologies to the two very friendly ladies from Carnforth seen here top left. I thought I had a better photo of you than this stood next to the Great Rigg summit cairn. Enjoy and good luck with the rest of the Wainwrights, at 2513ft Great Riggs is another one ticked off.

Looking back down the ridge from the summit cairn with Windermere, Esthwaite Water, Alcock tarn, Coniston Water and Grasmere all in view L. to R.

A clear view to Morecambe bay with Esthwaite Water catching the sun.

Stone Arthur for my lunch stop looking down on Grasmere

The descent into Greenhead Gill

Looking back up to Stone Arthur from the side of Grasmere

A nice place to have a picnic on Grasmere!

Finally crossing the river Rothay for the path back to White Moss

A last attempt to find a Borrowdale Banksy: Barf fell & 'The Bishop' followed by a climb up Carlsleddam, 7.5miles 2400ft   

I'd heard about a 'Banksy' stone sculpture being on Barf (fell) above Bassenthwaite. Barf is also known for its white painted large rock found high up on the fell and visible from Keswick. Hoping to combine the two objectives, here I found myself  looking down to Bassenthwaite from Barf..... 

.....and up to the Bishop ahead.....

....getting closer

Standing beside the Bishop....

....looking east towards Keswick & Derwentwater....

....and north to Skiddaw in cloud...

.....and west to Bassenthwaite

Leaving the Bishop behind I then searched the area looking for the Banksy without success! I then reluctantly descended and crossed the valley for my next climb Carlsleddam

Carlsleddam is just one of the many subsidiary summits of Skiddaw.....

.....looking down on the village of Millbeck....

.....it's reknowned for its view south to Derwentwater but today it wasn't the best weather for distant views

The heather clad summit of Carlsleddam

Starting the descent into Slades gill.....

.....looking back with cloud now touching the summit

A final panorama with some Autumn colour at the end of the descent. 

Alas no Banksy today and I'm not looking any further, maybe I'll just come across one while I'm out on the fells sometime! 

 In search of the Borrowdale Banksy!!

The so called Borrowdale Banksy has no connection with the celebrated 'Banksy' annonymous street artist. The Banksy I was looking for is no less talented but has been constructing stone sculptures annonymously on fells in the Lake District predominantly in the Borrowdale area. Their locations are not publicised but have generally been found high up around disused quarries. On today's walk I hope to find one of them!

Having parked by the hamlet of Stonethwaite I set off across the river Derwent and up Scale Force beck climbing to Rigghead quarries. 

Looking back from the climb as a shaft of light lit up the Langstrath valley

Castle crag the lowest of all the named Wainwright fells at just 951ft

Having researched online I knew there was a Banksy somewhere here in Rigghead quarry

I had seen a photo and immediately recognisd this as being the right place. Clearly it no longer was here having been vandalised......! However..... 

.....courtesy of this Masarnen ramblers photo I can show how it used to look.

I had heard there was another Banksy in Yewcrag quarries on the Honister side of Dale Head. I decided to climb Dale Head before descending to take a look there. A passing view of Newlands on the way up.

Approaching Dale Head summit looking down the length of the Newlands valley.....

....and view south looking into Honister pass

Dale Head summit cairn 2470ft.

Looking north with Bassenthwaite just visible top left

Starting the descent to the quarries and Honister pass with a view to Buttermere.

About half way down to Honister pass I had an exploration of Yewcrag quarries but no signs of a Banksy here either. 

Honister pass quarry - still a working quarry but with tourist attractions including a zip wire

Fleetwith Pike and Buttermere again

Laeving the quarry I joined the Coast to Coast path leading back into Borrowdale

.....and again

Passing the village of Seatoller.....

.....and joining the river Derwent again

Finally - glad I was coming home and not staying in a Landpod! My search for a Borrowdale Banksy continues!!