Saturday, 11 January 2020

Staveley to Mardale Head via Gatesgarth Pass, 10.5 miles, 2350ft


....just before sunrise


Climbing out of Kentmere over Staveley Head fell....


....then here it comes over Cocklaw fell

Looking down into a frosty Long Sleddale....

 ....before descending into Long Sleddale

....and again

Looking up Long Sleddale to cloud hanging over Gatesgarth Pass

The River Sprint meandering down towards Kendal 

Waterfalls on the river nearing the top of the pass

A sharp change in conditions as the snowline is crossed

A sign post for the unsure at the top of the pass 

Descending to Mardale Head, Haweswater comes into view

....and again

A short walk along the side of Haweswater 

A final look back up to Gatesgarth Pass before reaching the car
park on the far side to hopefully find transport! 

Wednesday, 1 January 2020

Catstye Cam from Patterdale

A New Year's Eve Walk - 8.5 miles 2760ft  - 
A perfect finale to a grand year of walks 
Looking back to the start in Patterdale from the climb
to 
the 'Hole in the Wall'

Zooming in on a frosty scene around Grisedale Beck bridge

Catstye Cam in the sun with Helvellyn behind
from the 'Hole 
in the Wall' 

Red tarn with Striding edge leading to Helvellyn

It looks like one of these brave or perhaps foolish walkers had more sense and turned back on Striding edge!

Starting the path up to Swirral edge before....

....turning to the north on the ridge to Catstye Cam summit 890m (2920ft) 

The view from the summit along the ridge to Swirral Edge and Helvellyn summit 950m

Ullswater from the summit

Catstye Cam summit as the descent begins

Ullswater again from Birkhouse Moor 718m (2356ft)

Patterdale from the Moor and....

....Glenridding ferry landing....

 ....and Place Fell....

....and High Street on the horizon

A final look back up Grisedale before descending to Patterdale 



Tuesday, 17 December 2019

The Blencathra Ridge in all its Winter glory! 8.5miles 3500ft ascent


Starting the ridge walk from Threlkeld on the path up Blease fell

Latrigg and Derwentwater from Blease fell

Looking south to the sun breaking through above Clough Head 

Sunshine on two of the Bassentwaite fells,
Lords Seat and Broom 
fell

Cloud on a very Snowy Skiddaw

Looking ahead along the Blencathra ridge

Zooming in on Halls Fell Top

Looking along the ridge to Knowe Crags

The ridge continues ahead....

....and behind

Looking down Middle Tongue

Any loose snow was whipped up by the icy gale force winds....


Snow and dramatic cloud formations in every direction....



....and again, now on Atkinson pike, the end of the ridge

Then the view back to Atkinson pike after a knee deep (occasionally waist deep in snow) tiring descent! 

Passing the Glenderamackin valley....

.... before the final path down through Mousthwaite Comb to the
White Horse at Scales