A circuit from Cat Bells

Cat Bells, Bull Crag & Maiden Moor

Return by Nitting Haws & Derwentwater

9miles 2650ft

Starting the climb over Skelgill bank to Cat Bells 

A very misty Causey Pike across Newlands valley

Derwentwater but no sign of Keswick today in the mist

Cat Bells summit appears through the cloud

You're seldom alone on the summits even in early morning cloud

The summit view finder not much use today! 1480ft

A closer look at what might have been seen, use your imagination!

However when I arrived at Bull Crag things were looking up!!!

The cloud was rising slowly out of the Newlands valley creating some dramatic views....

....and again

Looking straight down off the crags

I then turned east across the ridge to Maiden Moor for a view of my route down past Nitting Haws into Borrowdale

More cloud rising now out of Borrowdale....

....and again

The village of Grange and Derwentwater

Lunch time on an island in the stream

Castle Crag silhouetted in the 'Jaws of Borrowdale' 

Looking back to Nitting Haws

Finally, resting awhile on the path back to the car above Derwentwater

No sign of the sun today but none the worse for that.

This was a wonderful circular walk with some dramatic views and a great descent over Nitting Haws.

One useful tip. I found it much better to follow the path on the line of the two cairns at Nitting Haws rather than the path on most OS maps!

 Ingleton to Barbon near Kirkby Lonsdale

13Miles 1750ft

Setting off from Ingleton over the river Greta....

....on a grey misty morning

Arriving at the hamlet of Masongill

Passing 'Over Hall' on the way to Ireby

The entrance drive to the hall

Morning break time in the pretty hamlet of Ireby.... 

....before the climbing started!

Looking back west down the Leck valley....

....before eventually arriving at Bull Pot, the home of the Red Rose Caving & Pot Holing club

Sitting above Bull Pot for lunch

Nearby are these entrances to Lime Kilns

Lunch over I began the descent to one of my favourite dales - Barbondale

For the most part a lovely gentle downhill stroll to....

....the river Barbon

My route then followed the riverside for 2 or 3 miles down the lovely wooded valley....

....and again....

....until St Bartholomew's church Barbon came into view

A quick visit to the church before....

....waiting for my lift back to Ingleton outside the village pub!

Two weeks ago I walked from Clapham to Ingleton. I've now decided to continue a longer linear walk finishing ultimately at Cockermouth in the north west Lakes. Today's walk was day 2. Watch this space as I continue my journey. 

I will be interrupting this journey from time to time to one off walks

 A return to the High Fells

Whinlatter to Rannerdale Bridge via

Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head & Grasmoor 8.5miles 3500ft

Setting off from an empty Whinlatter Forest Park

Passing through the forest before the climb to Grisedale Pike....

....Wallace & Gromit also going walkies

Gaining height with cloud covered Skiddaw coming into view....

....and Bassenthwaite lake in front....

.....and again

Some nice cloud effects this early morning....

....and some misty valleys

Looking into Coledale from Grisedale Pike summit 2595ft

Hobcarton gill form Hobcarton crags on the way to Hopegill Head

Hopegill head summit 2526ft with no view!!!!

However the cloud was lifting off Crag Hill as I crossed Coledale Hause

It had also lifted off Grasmoor my next climb, but by the time I arrived at the....

.....summit shelter for lunch (2795ft) the cloud had returned

Lunch over I walked to Grasmoor End with a view to Loweswater

Also Crummock water

My descent took me down Lad Hows ridge....

....with some great views to Crummock water again...

....and Rannerdale knotts

Loweswater and Crummock water again

Also the fells of Great Gable, Haystacks, Pillar, & High Crag in cloud

Nearly down now....

.....Finally on the lakeside at Rannerdale Bridge for my lift back to Whinlatter.

A magnificent days outing in the high fells despite the cloud cover at times.