WWW.KARLSWALKS.CO.UK
PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
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E-mail - karl@karlswalks.co.uk |
We took advantage of the two fine days over the bank holiday, although the Monday wasn't as nice ( at least later ) than the Saturday.
Grandson Louis, Emily and myself parked at the free parking spaces next to the big hole of Hodge Close quarry. My plan for today was to find the entrance to the tunnel under Moss Rigg wood which comes out at the rear of Cathedral Cavern. It didn't quite turn out like that but we had a good explore and did end up going underground.
This is looking to Wetherlam Edge from Hodge Close.
And this is looking over to Dollywagon Pike, Fairfield ( in cloud ) and the long ridge leading up to Great Rigg.
A peep over the edge to the Hodge Close caverns which we will visit later.
Wetherlam Edge again from the track leading across from Hodge Close to the Tilberthwaite path and Moss Rigg.
Passing one of the many huge slate tips on the way.
A blown over the tree gave us the chance to look into a trolls cave. ( Thankfully he wasn't at home ).
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We climbed up to the quarry on Moss Rigg where someone had used some of the strange oblong chips of slate to make this tower which Louis added to.
Holme Fell in the background as we climb again to another section of the quarry. I realised that we had climbed too high now and the tunnel entrance couldn't be where I thought it might be ( I had done a search but there seems very little information regarding where the entrance to the tunnel is )
We followed a path which although not on the map was quite clear on the ground heading downhill and in the direction of Cathedral Cavern.The Ill Bell ridge can be seen from a clearing just off the path.
As can Busk Pike on Lingmoor Fell.
And in the background beyond lovely Little Langdale are the Fairfield group again.
We passed the deep hole at the rear of Cathedral Cavern where some climbers were playing on the rock.
If you take a short diversion off the path down you come to the balcony above the main cavern.
And down in the main cavern now looking up to the window.
By following a short tunnel out from the rear of the main cavern you come to this small scramble which was absolutely no trouble to Louis, although he had to leave his giant walking stick/sword/ Granddad poking stick behind.
Although not the entrance I had hoped to find we did find the tunnel and ventured in.
The tunnel is about 400 yds long and has a side passage which leads to this gated off chamber.
Louis leads the way.
Until we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
And here is the entrance that I'd hoped to find and when I came out and realised where it is, I reckon I must have walked past it without knowing numerous times.
So here is a map if you fancy a look.
Bowfell seen as we walk up to Stang End.
As promised we dropped down to the caverns at Hodge Close.
Louis with the big hole behind him.
Rain was forecast for later on Monday so Emily and I made an early start and after parking in one of the lay-bys on the A592 at the foot of the Kirkstone Pass we headed across the valley bottom making for Caiston Glen. Middle Dodd above us.
Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes stand out in the cool morning air.
Looking up Caiston Glen. Emily stuck to the path but I decided to try and walk up staying as near to the beck as possible and the next few pictures chart my progress upwards past some lovely falls and pools.
Looking back from the last of the main falls.
As you near the pass the slope eases and the beck becomes quieter.
Once at the pass we turn left and start the climb by the wall to Red Screes. This is looking back across the pass to Little Hart Crag on the right and High Bakestones on the left.
And looking in the same direction but from further up. Dove Crag and St. Sunday Crag can be seen with Helvellyn beyond in the clouds.
Brotherswater with Place Fell and the Angletarn Pikes seen from the traverse across the mainly pathless hillside trying to stick to the 650m contour which I hoped would bring us out around level with Middle Dodd.
And it did.
Red Screes from Middle Dodd.
And Middle Dodd from Red Screes.
Windermere and the sea from Red Screes.
And swinging around to the right we have the Coniston fells and Harter Crag.
And a bit more to the right we have Bowfell, Esk Pike the Scafell group in cloud and the High Stile fells
Zooming in on Harter Fell from the path back down to the pass.
Looking down Scandale to Ambleside.
And the same view from Little Hart Crag with Scandale Tarn below.
Rain on the wind and on the lens looking back to Red Screes.
It always seems like cheating walking down to a summit but that's what we are doing.
Little Hart Crag from High Hartsop Dodd.
Only the knee jarring descent to do now before we beat the rain back to the car
Previous walk - 3 days in Wasdale - Next walk - A Kentmere round