Monday, 22nd September 2014

Walk: Graystones, Kirk Fell, Broom Fell, Lords Seat, Barf, Beckstones Gill, Beckstones Plantation, Seat How, Whinlatter Top, Whinlatter, Aiken Beck, Forest track
Start Point: Spout Force car park Grid Reference: NY 181 255
Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 3,160 feet
Time: 6 hours
Weather: Dull and overcast in the mornin but brightening up in the afternoon
Comments: A last minute decision to follow this route in the opposite direction to that done previously proved to be very wise. The very steep path from Scawgill Bridge to Graystones was very eroded and covered with loose limestone scree in the lower sections. From Graystones a short detour was taken to Kirk Fell before following and easy, grassy path over Broom Fell and Lord's Seat to Barf. The Bishop was resplended in his white attire! A new gravel path took us to Seat How where we enjoyed the magnificent views as we ate lunch. We then made our way across to Whinlatter the followed a rather overgrown track back to the forest path and the car.

From the car park a steep, somewhat overgrown path took us down to the beck . . .

then steeply upwards - as Ian directs Sheila on the best rooute to take

It was a relief to reach Graystones . . .

where we each took our turn . . .

to record our vist . . .

to this Wainwright, the first of the day

It is rather more chilly . . .

on Kirk Fell . . .

rather different to the Wainwright of the same name!

Broom Fell . . .

is very easy to identify . . .

by its conspisuous cairn

Bassenthwaite comes into view . . .

as we make our way across . . .

to Lord's Seat . . .

easily recognised by its single remaining fence pole . . .

but it isn't the best weayher to enjoy more views of Bassenthwaite . . .

and aross to Skiddaw - in low cloud!

Looking back to Lord's Seat . . .

and across to . . .

Derwentwater

Back on easy forest track . . .

abundant vegetation covers rocks and tree trunks to the side of the path . . .

and the Bishop of Barf . . .

adorns the scree slope

Ian and Sheila take in the view . . .

from Seat How . . .

which makes the ideal lunch spot

Then it's on the Whinlatter Top . . .

and the Wainwright at the higher summit . . .

with views to the Coledale Horeshoe

Only two more Wainwright summits for Ian . . .

and one today for Sheila - now less than forty to go

Our initial climb to the left of the lower trees then beside the fence!!!!

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