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PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
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Unusually the forecast for Bank Holiday Monday was excellent so I made the long drive to Ennerdale. Sunday's forecast wasn't bad either so travelled up in the afternoon arriving at Bowness Knott carpark around 3.30. Sue and Helen were already in the Lakes so I arranged to meet them on Monday morning.
The basis of my plan was to bag the Birketts of Lingmell (Ennerdale ) and Little Gowder Crag. This is view across Ennerdale water to Crag Fell.
I had planned a pretty simple route which could be seen from the forest path. Up through the trees on the left to Lingmell then along over Tewit How to join the main ridge, turn right over Haycock and the distinctive rocky bump of Little Gowder Crag the back down the other ridge which doesn't seem to have a name.
I couldn't find the path marked on the map although there were a couple of ribbons tied to trees which I thought might show the way but I ended up climbing up the firebreak which was very steep and very rough. It did occur to me on the climb that the last fell I had been up was also called Lingmell and that was steep as well!
Eventually I'm on clear ground and have a great view of Ennerdale. The car park is under the little bald hill to the right of the lake.
Lingmell ( Ennerdale ) looking to Tewit How with Haycock and Little Gowder Crag beyond.
I had made all kind of fancy plans to carry on to Caw and maybe even Lank Rigg but as usual the closeness together of the little brown lines on the map conspired to slow me down so I had a walk over to Great Cove under Haycock for an early stop and a very relaxing night.
Little Gowder Crag just across the fell side. I did consider bagging it after tea but as I was returning that way I left it till the morning
The hills of Scotland lit by the setting sun.
Not a fantastic sunset but not bad.
I awoke to mist but wasn't worried as I could see the sun was burning it away.
Still pretty thick though as I pass over Haycock and reach Little Gowder Crag.
Little Gowder Crag.
Out in the clear now heading to the valley floor.
Lovely morning sunshine on the heather.
Looking upstream from Irish Bridge.
Crag Fell again
Looking up to the front of Herdus which me and Sue climbed in 2014 ( with hindsight probably one of the daftest things we have ever done )
After dumping my camping gear in my car I walked up to Whins where Sue and Helen were waiting. This is Herdus from the side.
Looking back down Floutern Pass.
The very steep pull up Steel Brow.
Hen Comb, Mellbreak and the Grasmoor group of fells from the climb
Great Borne top.
Starling Dodd looks a hard climb from here but it's not really and we soon get there.
The view back from the climb.
One of my favourite views in the Lakes. Past the scrap iron cairn to Red Pike, Pillar then Great Gable at the head of the valley.
Not a bad lunch spot.
After lunch we head for the little bump of Little Dodd.
Passing this little pond which seems to be pointing straight at my camp site.
The Grasmoor fells and another bit of scrap iron on Little Dodd.
We followed a faint path which lead us to the main path down from Red Pike to the forest road. Notice how the bracken is dying off, Autumn is on the way.
View up the valley.
Steeple stands out on the skyline opposite.
Glorious weather as we walk back along the forest road.
Anglers Crag across Ennerdale Water