Name of walk	Blackcombe
Date of walk	2022-09-01

I was planning to do a walk from Haweswater, but an accident on the M6 North, early this morning, meant I changed my plans, and I decided on a quick walk up to Blackcombe instead. No need to head off at the crack of dawn and I only needed a fleece and some water, so I could travel light. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. The walk is just under five miles.

I parked my car in the car park at St Mary's Church, Whicham.

I pass through the gap at the side of the old School House and head down the lane, then alongside a garden stone wall.

The gate on to the fell.

View back.

View ahead.

I overtake a couple of mountain bikers. it's a bit too steep for bikes!

View out to sea.

A very black Blackcombe. The track is not so steep now and it's easy walking from now on.

I'm glad the purple heather is still flowering.

View back the way I've came, and over to Walney Island.

The heather has recovered from last April's wild fire.

Another view back, I now head around the side of the fell and up on to the grassy summit.

On the summit with a superb view to the fells. It was quite windy today.

The mountain bikers finally make the summit.

Blackcombe trig point and shelter.

I walk the summit edges for the views.

Kirk Fell, Skiddaw, Great Gable, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Ill Crag, but nowhere near the clarity of my walk up in April.

Esk Pike, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, Helvellyn range on the left. Grey Friar, Great Carrs, Swirl How, Dow Crag to the right.

Looking along the coast towards St. Bees Head and Sellafield.

Close up of Great Gable, Scafell and Scafell Pike, a bit too hazy for my camera phone.

View a bit further to the east.

View towards Kirkby Moor and the Duddon Estuary.

I head down to the tarn in the direction of the South Cairn.

Lots of 'sticky up' rock here. ....no that isn't a geology term!

Baaa!

The South Cairn with Walney Island to the left.

It's a big one!

Walney Island view.

A summit selfie shows how big the cairn actually is.

I head back down.

Back in the church car park. The old school house.

Always a delight! I was up and down in under two and a half hours.

Jo.