| Name of walk | Blackcombe and Around |
| Date of walk | 2013-11-30 |
| Distance walked (miles) | 9 |
| Duration of walk | 5 hours 0 minutes |
| Weather | Blue skies then cloud and sea haze |
| Peaks on walk | Blackcombe |
| Walked with | Brendan |
| Parking | Whicham Church |
On Saturday morning we drove to Whicham Church. On the journey there in the car the visibility of the mountains was superb. We had decided to climb up Blackcombe and then to head over the summit and down the other side before heading west towards Bootle, then following the track back around the base of the fell. A walk of nine miles. It was a blue sky day, but we knew it wasn’t going to last. Unfortunately we didn’t set off until 10am. We just hoped we would make the summit before the cloud and sea haze came over.
St. Mary's Church Whicham is 12th century.
The east window dates from the 17th century.
We head between the church and the Old School House and join the road up to the start of the fell.
The way up.
It is a steep trudge. After 50m these bikers found it easier to walk up!
The blue skies are holding.
View back. The church is in the trees on the right.
Summit ahead
View out to sea.
View back.
Er....which way now?
Sun on the hills. The cloud has just come overhead. So we missed the blue sky views by about 20 minutes.
Trig point and shelter on the summit. It was cold and quite windy. Far too cold to stop for lunch here. We both wore hats and gloves.
View out to Walney Island and our route around the North End in my last walk. As I can look over to Blackcombe from my kitchen window, I was hoping that with the good visibility of the morning, I would be able to look back into my kitchen window from Blackcombe! Alas, it was now far too hazy! The bridge over to Barrow can be seen as can Piel Island on the far left.
Whitecombe.
View out to Barrow and Walney Island
Looking north towards St. Bees Head
We continue north.
The sun makes a brief appearance ahead
Me and my shadow. The fells beyond include all the southern fells, some western and eastern fells too.
We head off west towards Bootle. We chose a way down that was off path, so I used my Garmin to keep us heading in the right direction. Eventually we came across a path. Looking down on Barfield Tarn.
Bootle.
Looking south back to the wind turbines.
Heading around the base of Blackcombe. A farm ruin ahead. We stopped for a late lunch here.
Some old farm machinery
Looking up Holegill Beck.
Fell Cottage, now derelict.
The Old Mill at Whitbeck. Water wheel on the left of the building.
The old water wheel.
The walk took us five hours. It was disappointing to miss-out on he good views by such a small margin. I blame Brendan! He did not get home until a quarter to two this morning, so our planned early start never happened! I may decide to forgive him before Christmas. 😉
Jo.
