Name of walk	Hesk Fell
Date of walk	2018-08-01

On Wednesday Brendan, Tom (home for a holiday) and I drove to the Birker Fell Road for a walk up Hesk Fell. One of Wainwright’s Outlying Fells. He says it is a dull climb, which is true, but the views are good, or at least they would be on a better day. I had to finish top coating garden furniture in the morning, when it was sunny, so we didn’t set off until lunch. By this time the clouds had come in and rain was threatening. We parked at the start of the Woodend Farm turnoff, where there is space to get the car off the road. This walk is three and a half miles, nearly five if you add in The Pike.

The view to Hesk Fell from our parking place.

Calf.

Woodend Bridge, Great Worm Crag and our parking spot.

We head up the fell by the yellow box as there are too many rushes by the wall.

Looking over to the Dunnerdale Fells.

Looking back towards the Eskdale Fells. Rain is coming our way soon.

View back to the bridge and the herd of cows keeping an eye on the car.

Tom takes a breather.

Ladies posing on a rock.

Devoke Water.

There were no visible paths or sheep trods, so we just made our own way up.

Unfortunately the grass changed to the tussocky type towards the top, which is difficult to walk on.

Thankfully we came across a track and could then begin to stride out......or in my case hobble slowly! Tom and Brendan way ahead in the distance!

View back.

Tom and Brendan at the summit rock. Views out to the Duddon Estuary.

Tom and Brendan at the little rock summit.

Tom and me.

Close up of the north end of Walney Island.

The Outlying Fells of Whitfell and Stainton Fell, which I still have to do.

We head down towards The Pike.

The Pike ahead. As rain is imminent, and it is still an hour and a half back to the car, we give this a miss.

We head back around the side of the fell.

It is now pouring and the car doesn't seem to be getting any nearer. Tom heads off at a faster pace, I continue to hobble elegantly, being overtaken by snails.

Tom sheltering under the tree in the pouring rain, wearing his plastic poncho mac left over from Kendal Calling.

I am last to get back to the car, slightly damp, but ready to go and get some food.

An easy enough walk, especially if you locate a track. It took us three hours. My next walk is due to be Boat How from Boot, via the La’al Ratty steam train with Father John, on Tuesday. With his hip replacement and my knee replacement we aim to take the art of hobbling to new heights!

Jo.