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PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
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E-mail - karl@karlswalks.co.uk |
An ideal winter walk this week with the added bonus of great views of the snow clad higher fells. Although the fields and the fells held plenty of snow the roads were all clear so I had no trouble climbing up the narrow roads from the A66 and parked at the the base of Little Mell Fell which was to be my final fell climbed today
Just as I pulled up the low cloud parted briefly and the sun lit up the Helvellyn Dodds but just as quickly more cloud rolled in and I climbed over Watermillock Fell ( not named on the O/S map ) in light cloud .
Looking over to Ullswater from the descent through quite deep snow to the Ullswater Way.
Lovely view along the lake to Place Fell from the Ullswater Way.
I had read that there had been quite a few trees blown down onto the path but had completely forgotten until I came to this subtle reminder. Some of the trees were a real struggle to get through and when I reached the gate in the path just below Gowbarrow Fell there was a path closed notice and in fact the gate was padlocked.
Little Mell Fell in bright sunshine.
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Unfortunately Gowbarrow was completely covered so no views from the top today.
As I was making my way down the fells across the valley suddenly started to appear.
And within a few minutes I had a cracking view over to Dowthwaite Head and the Helvellyn Dodds.
And more to the south are Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd.
And a bit more to the south are Ullswater and the fells around it's head.
I'm on the path heading for the road at Ulcat Row. Great Mell Fell is ahead.
And further along the path Little Mell Fell come into sight.
A look back to the high fells from near Ulcat Row.
The cottages at Ulcat Row, I had around a mile and a half to walk on the road now but there was very little traffic.
By the time I had started climbing Great Mell Fell the cloud had lifted from virtually all the fells to the west.
Zooming in on the distinctive Catstyecam
The cloud never quite cleared the very top of Blencathra.
But Grisedale Pike and Crag Fell are clear.
Although Great Mell Fell is not the most exciting fell in the Lake District it does have these ancient trees which give it a bit of character.
One of the wind blasted trees and a lovely blue sky.
There were quite a few families sledging and making snow men who are guarding the very top of the fell. Clough Head and Great Dodd in the background.
Carrock Fell on the right then the long ridge of Bowscale Fell and Souther Fell in front of that.
Looking over to the High Street ridge and the fells around Martindale.
Great Mell Fell from across the valley. Seen from the lane below Little Mell Fell.
I left the lane and followed this muddy tractor track quite a way up Little Mell Fell.
And at the top now looking south.
Zooming in to what I think is the distinctive dip of Deepdale Hause, although I could be wrong ( it has been known ) Only the steep descent down the side of Little Mell Fell to do before I'm back at my car.
Previous walk - A round from Hartsop - Next walk - A round from Ambleside