UK Mountains Expedition Report

Peaks climbed : Yoke (706m), Ill Bell (757m), Froswick (720m), Thornythwaite Crag (784m), High Street (828m), Rough Crag (628m), Harter Fell (778m), Kentmere Pike (730m)

Total Distance : 25km, Total Ascent : 1,574m

The walk started just out of Troutbeck at the holiday park. From there it was a steady uphill climb all the way to Yoke. The path was a good one with no navigational issues which was just as well as the cloud base was down around 1000 feet and would stay that way until I got onto the approach to Rough Crag.

Once on Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick came quickly afterwards with little in the way of descent and ascent, although I did discover on Yoke, that my watch altimeter was 80 metres in error, and in fact, I'd walked past the summit before I realised, so did a short retrace to stand on the actual summit which I'd initially dismissed as being too low.

Thornythwaite Crag requires a short detour from the main High Street Roman Road, but is worth it for the impressive cairn at the summit.

Onto High Street itself and my first proper drink and biscuit break, Rosie having her breakfast which she finished in record time.

From here, Rough Crag is mostly downhill on quite rocky terrain, requiring careful downclimbing sections, it would definitely be easier to ascend this route than to descend it. High Street was the highest peak of the day at 828m and Rough Crag the lowest at 628m so looking back I wasn't looking forward to retracing my steps. Of course, near the summit it climbs again to make it an independent mountain.

I'd spotted a short cut to Harter Fell which would save me retracing my steps back up to High Street, but it did require the cloud to go, and thankfully, that's exactly what happened as I made my way over to Rough Crag, I could see my intended route including the steep descent from Rough Crag, so decided to go for it.

The initial descent was very steep and did require good visibility to avoid steep rock, but soon enough I was on the relatively flat section and made my way carefully over the pathless, but at times, boggy ground. The going was mostly fine and soon enough I crested the final rise to see the path ahead of me. By way of celebration I decided it was lunchtime, so found a suitable rock and settled down to my bacon roll. With the cloud gone, the weather was being very kind to me and a couple of times, the sun broke through which was a nice compensator for the cold wind.

Lunch done, I started up the path which gradually steepened until it met the cross path, then eased for a little while before the main business of climbing Harter Fell began. Forty five minutes after leaving my lunch stop I arrived on the summit of Harter Fell and paused only long enough for a couple of photos before starting the walk over to Kentmere Pike, the final mountain of the day which was clearly in view, less than a mile distant. It was gently downhill until the final climb but I was soon standing on the summit, pleased with my efforts and pleased that it would be downhill all the way to the pickup point.

Downhill is not always a good thing and the path proved uncomfortable in places with steep rocky descents and muddy sections to deal with, but I finally arrived on relatively flat ground at a cluster of farm buildings and followed the pleasant walled paths all the way to Kentmere Church where I would meet my ride out.

Peaks climbed : Rest Dodd (696m), Rampsgill Head (792m), High Raise (802m), Wether Hill (670m), Loadpot Hill (671m)

Total Distance : 14km, Total Ascent : 884m

The small hamlet of Hartsop near Patterdale was the starting point for today's walk which gets straight into the business of gaining altitude on a steep, but good path following the Gill up towards Hayeswater but just as the water comes into view, a left turn heads even more steeply up to the mighty Rest Dodd (696m). The day was warm but not yet sunny, and a T-Shirt sufficed. On the rather unexciting summit of Rest Dodd, the next challenge could easily be seen; following the wall down and then steeply up to meet the main track which circuits 'The Knott' and is actually a short section of the Coast to Coast walk, reminding me of forty plus years ago when I walked this very section, although in the opposite direction as we had elected to walk East to West.

Rounding The Knott, my path took me left and up again to summit Rampsgill Head (792m) and onward to the highest point of the day; High Raise (802m) which, again, was uninspiring but warranted a short drink and biscuit break. Rosie tucked into her breakfast with enthusiasm and it was soon gone. Three peaks summited and just two to go, but a long walk between them. With no cloud, I could see the next two peaks in the distance so began the steady walk, following once again, the High Street Roman road which ran arrow straight all the way to Wether Hill (670m). This hill is a massive disappointment, with barely a cairn to mark the actual summit, so without stopping, I continued on to the final peak.

Loadpot Hill (671m) is mildly more interesting as a summit but nothing special, so after a quick drink, I headed down, taking the direct, and very steep descent to the start of the Fusedale valley. Care was needed as it was 50-60 degrees in places and a slip would be painful at the very least with lots of rocks dotted around.

Eventually we arrived on level ground with no incidents and picked up the good path, crossing the stream at the bridge and heading to our finish point; the Tea Room at Howtown which, without a doubt, sells the best Carrot Cake in the known universe. I know this because I have eaten lots of Carrot Cake over the years and, of course, had no choice than to take full advantage of an offer of coffee and cake. A fine end to a successful two days walking in the High Street region of the Lake District.

Peaks climbed : Branstree (713m), Tarn Crag (664m), Grey Crag (638m), Harrop Pike (637m), Nowtli Hill (673m), Selside Pike (655m)

Total Distance : 16km, Total Ascent : 1,085m

The car park at Mardale Head was the starting point for this outing. It is quite small so early arrival is recommended. I was there on a Monday at 8:30am with just one other car. The weather wasn't playing so the decision was made to start in full waterproofs. This proved a wise decision as it rained most of the day.

Following the Gatesgarth Pass, I gained height quickly on a good path until the path flattened out and my route turned left and headed up to Branstree. There is a good, but much thinner track right to the summit. Where the path splits about half way up, the left track is the correct one. The summit, not surprisingly was total enveloped in mist so there was no view, additionally there is no marker to indicate the actual summit, so I checked with my OS Locate app and confirmed I was indeed standing at the correct grid reference. Happy with that I set off immediately following a fence on a reasonable track towards Tarn Crag. The path drops some 200 metres in height before heading up again, not quite as high as Branstree but a good pull nevertheless. The summit has an odd twin pronged pillar, the like of which I had not encountered before.

Grey Crag and Harrop Pike arrive quickly and mark the turning point back towards the finish. Up until now I had been heading away. From Harrop Pike, all paths disappear and so it was straight across open moorland which was hard going. Luckily the cloud lifted long enough for me to see Mosedale Quarry so I could take a direct line. On the way down to the valley, the sun finally came out and I removed my waterproofs. The climb up to Nowtli Hill was the toughest of the day, being relentlessly steep until the final section and I was well pleased to be at the top. Selside Pike was in view not too far away on another good path, although there was a significant descent and climb in the way.

From the summit of Selside, I retraced my steps back to the col, then made my way down in the direction of Haweswater, initially aiming for a sheep pound, then bearing right. As I descended, I could see the road quite close below but my altimeter still showed over 200 metres of descent to be done. This was going to get steep soon! Sure enough, the world went very steep and I took the decision to contour right a bit further to the descending gill and then onto a very thin path that I'd spied. It took care and time but it wasn't technically difficult and I soon found myself on the good path that led down to the road. From there it was ten minutes or so back to the car park, which by now was completely full.

Peaks climbed : Place Fell (657m), Gray Crag (710m), Stony Cove Pike (763m), Hartsop Dodd (618m)

Total Distance : 20km, Total Ascent : 1,503m

There is a small car park at the far end of Hartsop. You have to know it because the track through the hamlet is very thin and looks like it goes nowhere. Parking up, the weather was dull and overcast but dry and actually quite warm. Setting off, I walked back along the track a short way, then followed the sign post to Angletarn Beck. I would be visiting Angletarn later in the day.

The path is a good one with some undulations but generally fairly flat and heads North in the general direction of Patterdale until it suddenly and very steeply heads up to Boredale Hause, gaining some 200 metres of altitude. At the Hause there are several paths and it is obviously important to take the correct one which is basically a left turn and another steep ascent right the way up to just over 600 metres with some easy scrambling near the top. The cairn comes into view and it is another five minutes and a further 10 or 15 metres of climbing to finally stand on the summit. There are excellent views over Ullswater, Glenridding and towards Striding Edge and Helvellyn, the latter sadly in cloud.

I retraced my steps down to the Hause, then took the obvious track straight ahead which bought me to Angletarn, a beautiful Tarn and probably worth a walk just to that. I decided I would take a goodie bar break so enjoyed 10 minutes or so admiring the tarn whilst eating and drinking.

I didn't want to stay long as it was quite cool. I'd ascended Place Fell in just a T-shirt but it was now cool enough to warrant a mid layer. Packing up I followed the excellent path along to where it dropped down to Hayeswater. Turning back for one last glance, I noticed a lady stripping off to go for a swim! Okay, it wasn't really cold, but it must have been seriously chilly in the water. Rather her than me!

At this moment, the rain came so I added my waterproof jacket and continued down. I arrived at the end of the Lake but it took me a few minutes to locate the bridge - I should have aimed slightly to the right. Never mind, I crossed the beck on the bridge, turned left and headed up the wide track until it was time to turn right and begin the very steep ascent of Gray Crag. From here there is no path to follow so, after removing my jacket and mid-layer, began the very steep ascent to the ridge line. My efforts kept me warm enough but once on the ridge it cooled very quickly with the strong wind. Spying a wall, I took a vote on whether it was lunchtime. As I was on my own, there was no opposition so the motion was carried and I stopped at the wall. Mid-layer and jacket on again - it was one of those days.

I didn't stop long, just enough time to eat my roll and crisps, then set off for the summit, or rather the two summits - Nuttall and the Mountain Tables do not agree on the actual summit so I made sure I did both. In actual fact, Gray Crag has been dropped from the Nuttalls list for not having enough drop all round, which is a great shame as it is a worthy mountain, especially from the side I ascended from.

Those done, I realised that I'd been walking for several hours but only actually climbed two peaks, one of which didn't actually count! There is a drop to a col, then a good ascent on rocky ground requiring some scrambling to gain the upper slopes of Stony Cove Pike, followed by a grassy slope onto the summit. Unfortunately there is no actual summit so I walked to where the highest point was indicated on my map and claimed it.

It was a relatively easy walk over to Hartsop Dodd as it is over 100 metres lower than the Pike but of course has a small sting in the tail to get onto the summit itself. Again not pausing long I followed the path which seemed to go over the steep Northern flank and indeed it does. There followed a long and painful descent due to the steepness down to Hartsop, the knees complaining pretty much from the get-go and I was well pleased to walk into the Car Park, knowing that the day was done and in fact, the High Street group of mountains ticked off once and for all.