Blencathra via Hall's Fell and Blease Fell

Ascent of Blencathra, up via Hall’s Fell and down via Blease Fell, with Steve, Tom and Alex

Route: Leaving the car on Fellside, on the east edge of Threlkeld, and walking up the road past the little industrial estate, to take the track left (northwest) to Gategill Farm and carry on through the farmyard to the path beside the waterfall up to emerge from the trees and cross the beck. Following the clear path (and other walkers) up the steep heathery lower slopes to reach the rocky ridge. From there Alex bounding on ahead along the rocky crest, while the rest of us followed, largely on the rock but occasionally on paths to either side. There proceeding mainly by scrambling along the top, with occasional stretches to right or left of the crest. From the summit turning southwest to stride/run along the wide path over the summit of Gategill Fell and Knowe Crags and follow the rocky switchbacks down for about half a kilometre. 

There turning off south on a much smaller, entirely empty path - the boys tobottoming down the grass for long stretches - and then turning left at a cross paths to contour round and down above Blease Farm, eventually joining the popular fell-base path above the intake walls of Blease Farm and Gategill Farm to rejoin the outward route.

(Meanwhile, Kathryn and Tim having squeezed the car into a crowded Braithwaite Village, walked north along the higher road behind Middle Ruddings to the footpath left at the end of the How. After a hand gate, heading uphill on a minor path, through another gate and to, and along, the ridge. Descending steeply to cross the Whinlatter Pass to the Buddhist bridge and thence to the Coledale to meet the others.)

Conditions: Almost unbroken hot sunshine but a fresh breeze along the summit ridge.

Pub: the Coledale Inn, Braithwaite, for Tractor Shed Kessin, Corby Blonde, lime & soda, ginger beer and Appletiser (and to meet Tim and Kathryn for lunch)

Cycle ride to lunch at Dean via the Camerton foot bridge

A 40km cycle ride for a lateish lunch.

Route: leaving the cottage and heading north towards Cockermouth but turning right to go via High Armaside and Strawberry How and then passing the Swan on Kirkgate and left along Market Street and then High Street to turn right up Gote Brow and left on Papcastle Road. Here joining the Sustrans S71 route. Passing through Great Broughton (after a steep ascent) and then along a quiet road to Camerton with mild peril induced by passing road closure signs and the roadworks at the very end (easily passable by bike). Another steep ascent into Camerton and then left along a narrow tarmac road towards the (unseen) River Derwant and then pushing along 50m of footpath to push across the reinstated (post-2009 floods) footbridge. Then steeply uphill to a busy sunny, family-filled playground (and mining memorial) at Great Clifton and a half of lager at the fancy but real ale-free Old Ginn House. Then via Little Clifton to Dean for lunch. Afterwards, back the quickest way via Pardshaw and Brandlingill.

Conditions: a day of hot sunshine (forecast to reach 20C) but with intermittent cloud and, at one point, the look of thunder 20 miles away.

Pub: the Old Ginn House for half pints of Stella Artois; the Royal Yew, Dean for Ennerdale Brewery Royal Yew Blonde and lunch.

Helm Crag

A 7km walk before lunch with Steve, Katherine, Tom and Alex.

Route: with prior permission, leaving the car at Tweedies around 11am and walking to the centre of Grasmere and up the Easedale Road past the Lancrigg vegetarian B&B. At the end of the road, turning right onto a stony track and then right again onto the route up the Helm. Following the switch backing path eventually onto the ridge and along to the top. None of the party except Alex attempting to scale the Howitzer and he eventually deciding that discretion was the better part of valour. Descending to the next saddle and taking the clear and steep path, loose in places, directly down the hillside to the valley path. Here pausing to cool feet, and in one case fall in, before returning, making use of the Poets Permissive Path into the Lancrigg’s gardens and a corner cut to the road from Allan Bank to return to the pub for lunch only a little late for 1:30pm.

Conditions: initially cloudy but warm and becoming warmer still as the sun broke through. 

Pub: Tweedies for Thornbridge Crackendale, too many soft drinks to mention and lunch.

Evening cycle ride to the pub in Buttermere

A 22km round trip for a pint and to redeem a sedentary afternoon.

Route: from the cottage to the mid-Lorton crossroads and turning left for Hopebeck rising gently and then descending to the main road. Turning left towards Buttermere and gently uphill to Lanthwaite Green and then mainly downhill until a final rise to enter Buttermere village. Randomly selecting the newly reopened Buttermere Court Hotel for a pint initially outside and then moving in out of the drizzle and falling coincidentally into a conversation with a Kendal cycling couple. Back after a single beer thus not trying the also newly reopened Bridge Hotel, in case T’s energy levels later slumped, along the main road along Lorton Vale.

Conditions: cloudy and eventually, a very fine drizzle.

Pub: the Buttermere Court Hotel (née Fish) for Allendale Wagtail and Corby Brewing Company APA.

Castle Carrock from Lower Gelt Woods

The first volunteer walk for 6 months (C-19) with Mick, Jeanette, Peter and Rob, 7 miles for me, longer for those who had time to take in the reservoir.

Route: From the parking at Low Gelt bridge, crossing the bridge to head southeast down the road a short way and then bend left on a track cutting across the quarry to curl round Watch Hill to the right and then follow the bridleway through woods and along field edges for about a kilometre to reach the B road by Tootop Woods. There turning left along the road to reach Middle Gelt Bridge, walk under the railway viaduct and follow B-roads southwest and then southeast to reach the picturesque hamlet of Greenwell. There joining a bridleway to just south of High Gelt Bridge and turning right (south) to follow the road into Castle Carrock. At Castle Carrock the rest of the party stopping briefly at the pub (!) before heading off to circumnavigate the reservoir, while L headed back by leaving Castle Carrock on the road to the west and then turning up an excessively muddy/manurey lane north to get back to Greenwell. There taking the signed path along the River Gelt all the way to Middle Gelt Bridge and then following the Gelt (on the true right bank) two very picturesque kilometres back to the car park. 

Conditions: Glorious (unexpected) hot sunshine and blue skies (but a bit muddy underfoot after days of rain)

Pub? Much later, Thwaites Wainwright at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Lorton, with T.

Round Crummock from Rannerdale

At 15km, the longest walk in a long time.

Route: leaving the car promptly at the Lanthwaite Green roadside car park which was already 90% full (at ten past nine on a Saturday) and ascending on a faint path to the under-Grasmoor path southwards. Descending near the car parks and walking along the track to the bluebells, still in good form. Continuing up Rannerdale to the saddle and then down to Buttermere peering through windows to determine whether either pub was yet open (after Covid and refurbishment). Crossing to the far side of the valley to take the sometimes wet stony path north on the west side of Crummock. Although some streams and swamp areas had to be jumped, ground conditions were not too difficult despite recent heavy rain (becks and lakes high). At the north end of the lake, keeping on higher ground to the left to reach Lowpark and then along the road to the Kirkstile Inn, the goal of the venture. Sadly the pub being fully booked immediately continuing along the road to the NT Lanthwaite Wood car park, ascending on the leftermost path to the saddle of the hill, along the ridge and then coming off the ridge left on the path across fields back to the start.

Conditions: heavy skies but only occasional spits of rain.

Pub? Coniston Infinity IPA and Coast Sabro back at the ranch.

Castlerigg Stone Circle and Low Rigg (and Low Hill Heights)

A short, 6km walk loosely inspired by one of Mark Richards’ routes in his new Threlkeld Walking Companion.

Route: leaving the car on the verge of the wide Burns road near Naddle Bridge around the 151m spot height (one car could have fitted right by Naddle Bridge). Walking south west past Naddle Bridge and on the path to Goosewell Farm and then along the road - past a grisly sheep ossarium - to the Castlerigg Stone Circle. Back, and taking  a right hand turn on the straight path to High Nest, grazing the main A601 road for 20m and turning back, left, towards Sykes. Climbing onto the saddle between Low and High Rigg and taking the path to Low Rigg (embarrassingly having to follow custom and practice in climbing a wall). Then descending past Tewitt Tarn to the road and turning left back to the car.

Conditions: cloudy but 15C with hints of rain.

Pub: the Coledale Inn for Corby Blonde and Tractor Shed Kessin Blonde and a shared (though single-sized) portion of nachos.

Low Hill Heights 

The Helm 185 (110)

Brackenthwaite Hows 208 (108)

Scout Scar 229 (89)

Reston Scar 255 (155)

Low Rigg 277 (126)

Castle Crag 290 (200)

Benson Knott 317 (177)

Great How 333 (153)

Loughrigg 335 (285)

Rannerdale Knotts 355 (255)

High Rigg 357 (197)

Sale Fell 359 (219)

Ling Fell 373 (193)

Helm Crag 405 (325)

Fellbarrow 416 (344)

Low Fell 423 (295)

Brunt Knott 427 (327)

Dodd (Whiteside) 454 (339)

Raven Crag (Thirlmere) 461 (270)

Wansfell 487 (297)

Wansfell Pike 482 (432)

Dodd (Skiddaw) 502 (387)

Brackenthwaite Hows evening stroll

A sudden change of plan from an early evening rendezvous with a Cockermouth fish and chip shop to an evening sunny stroll in the face of a poor forecast for the rest of the weekend.

Route: leaving the car at the Lanthwaite Green NT car park and heading south to the lake along the riverside path, picking a way through tree routes, with views to Mellbreak. At the lake continuing round to the boathouse and then on further south through the woods on the lakeshore path. Halfway or so across the subsequent fields bending uphill and left and then turning left along the top wall and a little along the road. Taking the first footpath left to regain Brackenthwaite Hows and reach the summit. Down Robin's Steps.

Conditions: a beautiful sunny evening, all the more lovely with the certain prospect of ‘heavy wind and rain’ the next day.

Pub? Bottled Booths cider (Perry’s Redstreak) at the cottage.

Sale Fell

A short walk at 6pm to redeem an afternoon in which T had been asleep in the sun (indoors, mind!).

Route: leaving the car at St Margaret's Church above the Pheasant Inn and walking through the church yard to its upper rear gate and then across to the main footpath heading uphill to the right and then round the hill gaining grounding slowly towards the west. At a subsidiary path, turning left to ascend east and, just beyond the vector of the initial path, taking a faint right in a flattened valley uphill. At a crossroads of paths turning right to gain the familiar ridge and the leftmost of the two main paths to the top. Thence down to a subsidiary summit and round to Lothwaite and then descending on a large clear grassy path between bracken to the church.

Conditions: cool and cloudy but (almost deserted and) illuminated by sun on the top.

Pub?: the Coledale Inn for a (C-19) outdoor pint of Corby Blonde.