Day 10 Clapham to Cockermouth walk

Keswick to Loweswater via Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head & Gasgail Gill

3450ft 11.5miles

By the light of the January 'Wolf Moon' I left Keswick and headed for Braithwaite with my first climb to Grisedale Pike on the Horizon

Shortly after as I started the climb the sun appeared in the east

Looking back to Bassenthwaite lake and Skiddaw

Now higher up, Braithwaite village was below and Keswick in the distance

Looking ahead to the Sleet How ridge leading to Grisedale Pike summit

The final stretch of the ridge

Looking back to Skiddaw again

Now on the summit 2595ft, my next climb to Hopegill Head was looking very inviting!

I certainly wasn't alone on the fells today, although windy, the conditions were fantastic as I continued across the tops to Hopegill Head on the far right

Approaching the summit with the snow filled 'Notch' on the ridge to Ladyside Pike

Looking back to Grisedale Pike from Hopegill Head summit 2526ft

Looking down at the ridge to Ladyside Pike.....

....however having had enough of the strong winds I descended down Gasgail Gill....

....and again.....

....to arrive on the side of Crummock water

The north west face of Grasmoor across the lake....

.....and Rannerdale Knotts further down the lake....

....and again

Finally arriving at the Kirkstile inn in the village of Loweswater

A fabulous and exhilerhating day on the fells. Just one more day to Cockermouth now.

 Hi everyone, no walk last week due to other commitments. Hoping to resume my weekly walks and blog Thursday 16th Jan.

Day 9, Clapham to Cockermouth  Walk

Swirls (Thirlmere) to Keswick

13miles 1800ft

7.30am The layby at Swirls was already nearly full with walkers heading for Helvellyn....

....however I crossed the road to the side of Thirlmere to head north towards Keswick

Looking south towards Dunmail Raise

Raven crag and Thirlmere dam reflected in the water

Starting the climb to High Rigg.....

....with a view down to Legburthwaite

Another view south from a little higher....

.....before reaching the High Rigg summit 1171ft

Looking back along the summit ridge

The summit cairn again with the sun just rising above Helvellyn

Grisdale Pike to the west...

Lonscale fell above Tewet tarn

A short walk from Tewet tarn and I arrived at the Railway Trail from Threlkeld to Keswick following the route of the disused railway

One of tunnels

The trail crosses the river Greta several times

Lunch time overlooking one of the bridges....

.....before continuing to the side of Derwentwater at Keswick

Derwentwater with Cat Bells on the skyline....

.....and again with Grisedale Pike

Looking south down the lake from Hope park

Finally a quick visit to Keswick market in the town centre before my lift back to Swirls arrived.

Today was really the first day of decent weather since Christmas. However it was well worth the wait as it turned out to be a beautiful winter's day and a great walk