Name of walk | Four Walks, Six Fells and a Puncture |
Date of walk | 2011-04-03 |
Distance walked (miles) | 10 |
Duration of walk | 5 hours 0 minutes |
Weather | Mixed |
Peaks on walk | Latrigg, Binsey, Low Fell, Fellbarrow, Knott Rigg, Ard Crags |
Walked with | On own |
Parking | Various roadsides. |
Yesterday I decided to climb a few odd fells in four distinct small walks. The rest of this week was due to be windy so Sunday seemed to be the best day. I set off at 7.15 am and had completed Latrigg (1203ft) before 9am. I had meant to do this fell when we climbed Skiddaw in the snow, but it was dark by the time we got back to the car so we had to leave it.

The view over Keswick to Derwent Water. It was a bit misty and showery, but no wind as yet.

From there I drove to the most northerly fell, Binsey (1466ft). I last did this fell in a gale after visiting the Rheged Centre in Penrith for a training course on Behaviour Management.......I hasten to add that it was on managing the student`s behaviour, not mine! Lambs!

So cute.

Awww!

Bassenthwaite Lake comes into view as I head up Binsey, not far only a mile there and back.

Overwater.

When I arrived at Binsey the cloud was on the summit, now it had lifted, but left a very narrow field of vision

I was to head out beyond these hills for my next destination.

Binsey summit by 10am.

As I head back down the weather seems to be improving.

I drive over the Whinlatter Pass and head for the hamlet of Thackthwaite near Loweswater in order to climb up Low Fell (1387ft) and Fellbarrow (1363ft). A walk of five miles. Setting off at 11am. Photo below is taken from the start of the drove road that winds up Low Fell. Looking towards Crummock Water.

Blue skies and sunshine as I head up the track. Fellbarrow on the right.

Whiteside and Grasmoor.

Looking down Crummock Water to Buttermere. I had lunch here admiring he view.

Mellbreak, Hen Comb and Gavel Fell with Great Bourne behind.

Burnbank Fell with Loweswater below.

Darling Fell and the north.

Looking back as I head up to Fellbarrow.

Fellbarrow summit looking north.

The walk took me less than two hours. I was back in Thackthwaite for 1pm. Does the sign mean that Grey Squirrels can drive fast?

Next I head for Newlands Hause to climb Knott Rigg (1824ft) and Ard Crags (1906ft). But as I turn off for Buttermere I get a puncture, caused by a large metal fence post staple.....thank you Mr. Farmer! I don`t want to stop on a narrow road in the middle of nowhere so I continue on a bit further to Lanthwaite Green car park where there is a phone box if I need it and the possibility of people. If pushed I could change a wheel, but I`d need to consult the manual and it would have taken me ages! I should really know how to do it but I fully agree with the adage "You don`t keep a dog and bark yourself"......unfortunately today there was no dog in the car! When I stopped the car two gentlemen in a white minibus offered assistance immediately, even asking if I was offended by their offer.......nope, not in the slightest! Bring it on! They had the wheel changed in under 15 minutes. They were two teachers from Harrogate waiting for their Duke of Edinburgh Award students and seemed glad to have something to do to pass the time. I thanked them profusely and continued on my way making Newlands Hause by 2pm. Looking up towards the ridge that leads to Knott Rigg and then on to Ard Crags, a walk of two and a half miles there and back. I last did this walk with Tom a couple of years ago.

Looking down Newlands Hause to Buttermere from the start of the ridge. Red Pike not in mist!

Knott Rigg summit. Ard Crag ahead. Scar Crags and Causey Pike on the left, Derwent Water right.

Ard Crags.

Looking over Robinson to Hindscarf and Dale Head, High Spy at the back.

Robinson with the Newlands Valley below.

The view back along the ridge from Ard Crags. At this point I now walk all the way back!
This bit of the walk took an hour and a half. So today I have walked just under ten miles in total. The weather held out, but it became very windy on the way back along the ridge.


