High Rigg in Snow

Name of walk High Rigg in Snow
Date of walk 2019-01-23
Distance walked (miles) 6
Duration of walk 5 hours 10 minutes
Weather Blue skies and snow
Peaks on walk High Rigg
Walked with Ged
Parking Side of A591

A blue sky day with snow! I picked up Ged from Urswick, and drove towards Keswick. I’d already decided we were going up High Rigg. It is only 1,165ft high, but the views out to surrounding fells are excellent, and it is on the main road, so no having to drive on untreated roads. It is a bit undulating and seems to go on forever, but the blue skies and snow would more than compensate for the effort required.

01

The view of Blackcombe from the bedroom window just after dawn. After last night's snow the snow-line has moved down to ground level in some places.

02

We stopped at Esthwaite Water which was mostly shrouded in mist.

03

We parked on the side of the A591, on the grass opposite the turn off for Bridgend Farm at the north end of Thirlmere. 50m further on is the wall stile (the gate was frozen shut) and just beyond that the start of the ascent of High Rigg.

04

Many trees are blown over and remain where they fell, occasionally blocking the path. This was from the storm of a year ago.

05

Looking back down the valley from the ascent.

06

We move to the edge for the view down St. John's in the Vale.

07

The undulating ridge of High Rigg. There are six separate ascents and descents to reach the summit.

08

Blencathra.

09

I put on my Microspikes for the first big descent and ascent. It was icy in the shade.

10

Easy walking in between climbs.

11

Blencathra.....again....too stunning to resist!

12

Clough Head, Great Dodd, & Watson's Dodd. Left click to enlarge, click again to return.

13

Ged with Thirlmere behind him.

14

High Rigg Tarn.

15

Me doing my impression of Roy Orbison!

16

It has been very warm in the sunshine, no need for hat and gloves.

17

The descent down to the wall stile, and the big ascent beyond it.

18

Looking back to the Helvellyn range, with Steel Fell on the right.

19

Ard Crags, Whiteless Pike, Wandope, Eel Crag and Causey Pike, behind the sheep.

20

Baaaa!

21

The farmer had been out putting feed on to an un-walked peak, and was encouraging the sheep to make their way to it.

22

The summit is finally in sight. Excuse shadow!

23

Carl Side and Skiddaw.

24

Close up of Bassenthwaite Lake.

25

Closer view of summit with Blencathra looming.

26

Grisedale Pike on the right.

27

The sheep make their way to the feed.

28

29

Happy sheep.

30

Last trudge to High Rigg's summit.

31

Summit cairn.

32

My first Wainwright in snow since my knee replacement. It took us two and a half hours to get here.

33

Three photo panorama of the summit view. Left click to enlarge, click again to return.

34

Four photo summit view to include Bassenthwaite Lake, left and Clough Head, right. Left click to enlarge, click again to return.

35

Close up of Tewet Tarn on Low Rigg. It is frozen.

36

The cloud is starting to come in from the west. We decide to walk down to the church and take the valley path back, rather that repeat all those undulations, probably a test too far for my knee!

37

Last couple of shots of the view back.

38

39

We make our way down.

40

41

We pass the Carlisle Diocese Youth Centre.

42

St. John's Church. it dates from 1845.

43

44

I had taken off my spikes and gaiters sitting in the porch. Less than a metre away was this Robin. He obviously was hungry to get so close, so I gave him a piece of my 'nakd' fruit and nut bar, he seemed happy with the offering.

45

The route back in the shade was cold. Hats and gloves were on, but we still had good views into St. John's in the Vale.

46

Ouessant sheep? It was very small...and cute!

48

Lots of trees had fallen on this side as well. Thankfully those that had fallen across the path had been chain-sawed.

49

Impossible to move the fallen trees as machinery cannot get here.

An excellent day! The walk took a bit longer than previous times, five hours and ten minutes, a combination of snow and new knee! The walk was 5.6 miles.

Jo.

 

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