Tuesday, 5th August 2008

 

Walk: Hartsop, Gray Crag, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street, The Knott, Hayeswater
Start Point: Hartsop Grid Ref: NY 409 130
Distance: 7.4 miles Ascent: 2,200 feet
Weather: Sun and showers with some mist on the fells tops
Accompanied by:

Joe, Beth, Marie, Andrea, Gill and Shep

Comments: The steep ascent at the beginning was made all the more difficult by the fact that the sun was shining and it was quite hot. As we walked along the ridge we could see the mist closing in and by the time we reached Thornthwaite Crag it had started to rain. This continued intermittently until we left The Knott to descend to Hayeswater and walk back along Hayeswater Gill. Just near the trig point on High Street we saw a JCB which had been repairing the path from the Nan Bield Pass. Just after crossing the bridge over Hayeswater Gill a very colourful flock of sheep were heading for the hills, encouraged by a couple of sheep dogs.

Note: The December / January issue of Lakeland Walker has an article about the repairs to the path on High Street - using Roman Road building tactics.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Posing by the bridge as we cross Hayeswater Gill

 

It's a steep climb up to Gray Crag so lots of breaks are needed

 

Looking back down to Hartsop and Brothers Water

 

Beth leads the way up . . .

 

followed by the rest of the group . . .

 

and poses for a shot of Hayeswater and High Street

 

Finally reaching Gray Crag . . .

 

it's time for a few photos . . .

 

and individual shots . . .

 

with Shep sneaking into the picture

 

Threshthwaite Mouth with Thornthwaite Crag on the left and Stonycove Pike on the right

 

The mist begins to close in . . .

 

as we make our way along the Gray Crag ridge . . .

 

and the rain starts at as we reach Thornthwaite Crag

 

A gradual ascent brings us to High Street . . .

 

where Grandma joins in the photoshoot . . .

 

before we find out what the JCB has been doing (how did he get up here?)

 

Time for a fuel intake - sandwiches and coffee always taste better on the fells

 

As we leave the JCB trundles past us . . .

 

before we stop to check out . . .

 

the rocky face of Kidsty Pike . . .

 

and the Riggindale Valley . . .

 

which deserves more than one shot

 

The weather has closed in again by the time we reach The Knott . . .

 

and you can see the mist hanging above the Hayeswater Reservoir

 

I think Joe and Beth are trying to race Andrea to the bridge . . .

 

where they stop to check out the weir . . .

 

and the interesting patterns the water makes

 

Shep decides to take closer look at the water

 

Looks like a water slide as we walk down the Hayeswater Gill path . . .

 

and Marie finds the perfect gate to perform her annual 'gate vault' . . .

 

before we meet up with a flock of sheep . . .

 

being returned to the fells . . .

 

but which way should they be going?

 

Looks like they are heading for me . . .

 

before they cross the bridge . . .

 

on their way to the field

 

Any stragglers are soon rounded up . . .

 

as are those who went in the wrong field, as the farmer directs the dogs

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