Monday, 3rd August 2009
| Walk: | Ennerdale Water, Herdus, Great Borne, Starling Dodd, Little Dodd, Gilberthwaite | ||
| Start Point: | Bowness car park, Ennerdale | Grid Ref: | NY 110 153 |
| Distance: | 7.8 miles | Ascent: | 2,840 feet |
| Weather: | A warm start to the day was followed by cold winds and rain on the fell tops but settled again as we descended. | ||
| Accompanied by: |
Marie, Andrea, Gill and Shep |
||
| Comments: | The walk started along the road then through bracken until we turned to head up to Herdus. From here it was a steep climb requiring lots of stops to view the scenery and identify surrounding summits. From the cairn on Herdus we had a good view over to Robin Hood’s Chair, overlooked by Crag Fell. Sticking to higher ground, the route across to Great Borne was through heather and over rough ground. Just before climbing to the summit we found a sheltered spot for lunch, with lots of rocks to provide seats. A short climb brought us to the summit and a very strong wind, followed by rain as we made our way across the depression to Starling Dodd. After following the path around Little Dodd we contoured across to join the path descending from Red Pike. The path led gradually down to join the Ennerdale Valley track. A brisk 2½ miles brought us back to the cars with the weather turning to be the best of the day. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Climbing through the bracken, overlooked by Bowness Knott
The start of the steep climb, and we are level with Robin Hood's Chair across Ennerdale Water
A cheer from Andrea as we finish the climb . . .
and Gill relishes the moment . . .
before we continue on to the summit of Herdus
A rocky, sheltered spot to enjoy our lunch . . .
before the last climb to Great Borne . . .
then on to Starling Dodd . . .
with its 'space age' cairn
From here we find Mell Break on the left with Crummock Water in the centre
After joining the path from Red Pike we cross Gillflinter Beck . . .
on our way down to the Ennerdale Valley
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