Sunday, 19th July 2009

 

Walk: Binsey, Great Cockup, Meal Fell, Great Sca Fell, Brae Fell, Longlands Fell, Chapelhouse Reservoir
Start Point: Binsey Cottage Grid Ref: NY 236 351
Distance: 12.2 miles Ascent: 3,500 feet
Weather: Dull at first but brightening up later with some sunny spells. A cold wind on the fells
Accompanied by:

14 members of the group, including 3 from the Lancashire Weekend Walkers group

Comments: Parking on the roadside near Binsey Cottage we left our backs in the cars whilst we paid a quick visit to Binsey and back. After collecting our bags we headed across the valley, keeping a lookout for the buzzard that had swooped repeatedly over us last time we were here. Just as I was thinking that the buzzard had left the area, down it came. Whilst there were no signs of it actually attacking us, it swooped just over our heads countless times, giving lots of opportunities for photographs. Dragging the group away from the spectacular display we continued on to climb Orthwaite Bank and on to Great Cockup. A short, sharp descent took us down to Trusmadoor before another climb onto Meal Fell. After a visit to the shelter, which is the Wainwright, we continued on to Great Sca Fell, pleased to have the majority of the climbing behind us. Striding out across the fells, with great views all round, we soon reached Brae Fell before dropping down to the shelter of Charleton Gill for lunch. A short, slightly uphill walk took us to Longlands Fell, the sixth and last Wainwright of the day. From here it was all downhill (well, almost) as we descended to Longlands, past Chapelhouse Reservoir and back to the cars.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The clouds threaten as we head up Binsey . . .

 

but no precipitation as we reach the summit

 

Just as we thought the buzzard had left the area . . .

 

it swoops over our heads . . .

 

and shows off its plumage for the camera

 

The Ullock Pike Longside Edge ridge from the Ormathwaite road . . .

 

and Skiddaw, with Bakestall to the left, from Ormathwaite Bank

 

The group takes a short pause at a grouse butt . . .

 

before continuing on to the unimpressive cairn on Great Cockup

 

The a descent into Trusmadoor . . .

 

is followed by a climb out with views down Burntod Gill

 

The shelter, rather than either of the cairns, is the Wainwright on Meal Fell

 

The group may have lunch on their minds . . .

 

but we are continuing on . . .

 

to Great Sca Fell . . .

 

where Marie takes a photo of Ian . . .

 

and I capture the group for an action shot

 

Mandy and Ruth take shelter on Little Sca Fell . . .

 

and we find a much more impressive cairn on Brae Fell

 

I think the group are thinking longingly about a lunch stop . . .

 

so we head down to the shelter at the head of Charleton Gill

 

Longlands Fell provides a great view back to Binsey . . .

 

but are we on the right track?

 

Skiddaw, with Lonscale Fell to the left and Ullock Pike to the right, had been in view for most of the day

 

We descend towards Over Water . . .

 

and past  . . .

 

Chapelhouse Reservoir

 

Time for a rest on the bench . . .

 

but only if you are quite small!

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