Catbells

Name of walk Catbells
Date of walk 2021-03-30

On Tuesday Ged and I decided to climb a popular fell before the tourists arrive in the days ahead. We had thought of Haystacks, but low cloud meant we had to swap to Catbells, at only 1480ft, it would be one of the first fells to be cloud free. We drove via Grange to park just before Manesty and joined the Cumbria Way Path along the shores of Derwent Water. Hopefully by the time we have got to Hawse End the cloud would have lifted. Circumstances meant we never made it that far!

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The low cloud was still hanging on over Catbells.

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We take the path along the west side of Derwent Water.

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Low cloud on all the surrounding fells, apart from Walla Crag.

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O'er! Lots of flooded paths meant several detours. This one was just a short diversion.

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I've not seen the water level as high.

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Once again we had to reverse, this time returning back to the road.

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After the long diversion we head back down 50ft away from where we turned back.

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All the jetties were under water.

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Another minor diversion.

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Another submerged jetty. We were turned back again in Brandelhow Park by more flooded paths, so we returned again to the road and decided to head up the grassy path on the left of Skelgill Bank, just below Catbells summit. A new route up for a change.

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Our path up from the roadside. We began our ascent at 11.30am, the low cloud had gone.

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Steep but easy!

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Good views too.

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Clouds hang on to the summits of surrounding fells.

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Ged takes his time. He is 81!

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Catbells summit ahead.

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I reach the ridge and look towards Bassenthwaite Lake.

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View to Causey Pike, with Grisedale Pike and Barrow on the right.

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Maiden Moor, Hindscarth, Robinson, Knott Rigg and Ard Crags.

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Panorama with Catbells summit on the left. Left click to enlarge,click again to return.

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Panorama of just the fells seen from the ridge. Left click to enlarge,click again to return.

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A closer look at Maiden Moor, Hindscarth and Robinson.

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Eel Crag, Sail, Scar Crags and Causey Pike.

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Bassenthwaite Lake with Barf on the left.

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View back along the ridge as we climb up to the summit. Skiddaw and Blencathra still shrouded in cloud.

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View down to the house that was cut off by flood water.

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Summit cairn. It took under an hour to reach the summit from the road.

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Ged makes it to Catbells' rocky summit.

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We have lunch just off the summit.

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summit selfie.

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View to the flooded route from the Chinese Bridge. On the drive back I saw two cyclists with their bicycles on their shoulders walking through the water on the path back towards the Lodore Hotel. The water came up to their underarms! It must have been freezing! Mad!

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The steep route back down.

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Rather nice to have a house here!

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Once down to the road it is only a couple of minutes walk back to where we parked. Looking back to Manesty.

Our walk was six miles and took four hours. An excellent day! We made a good decision to swap to Catbells, as the Western Fells stayed under cloud for a long time only clearing when we were on our way home.

Jo.

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