Sunday, 21st September 2014
| Walk: | Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Beck Head, Kirk Fell, Beck Head, Moses Trod, Fleetwith Pike | ||
| Start Point: | Honister Pass | Grid Reference: | NY 224 135 |
| Distance: | 10.5 miles | Ascent: | 3,260 feet |
| Time: | 7.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | Sunny and warm with a cool breeze on the summits | ||
| Comments: | With a beautiful day forecast we head out to the Honister Pass to enable sheila to tick off some more Wainwrights. With the mirror-like Buttermere a stop is needed to capture reflections on the way. After climbing the rocky path from the quarry we eventually located Grey Knotts and continued on the high path to Brandreth From here we descended to join the Moses Trod path which took us up to Beck Head. With the steep scree path onto Kirk Fell now visible Sheila decided to sit this one out and Ian and I continued on - leaving our backpacks with Sheila. We made our way across the huge plateau of Kirk Fell to the summit cairn/shelter before retracing our steps and making our way (tentatively) back down the scree path. Returning via Moses Trod we detoured off the path to take in Fleetwith Pike before heading back to the car. | ||
Buttermere reflections . . .
and again . . .
and once more
From the left - Pillar, Haystacks and High Crag
Ckecking out the path on Haystacks which we may do another day
Crummock Water just in view with Mellbreak behind
Grey Knotts with Green Gable and Great Gable to its left and Kirk Fell to its right . . .
and to the right of Kirk Fell we can see the Pillar route . . .
then round to High Crag, Buttermere and Crummock Water
Sheila goes for a 'sitting pose' . . .
while I try the 'mountain pose' . . .
then opt for a more distant view
Looking across Buttermere and Crummock Water we can just see into Scotland
Brandreth is distinguished by an old fence post . . .
which provides a handy handrest . . .
and focal point . . .
as we leave the summit
Kirk Fell - our next target . . .
but on the way we take in the views of Ennerdale . . .
and the route up to Pillar
Wast Water from Beck Head . . .
where we fond the completely dried up tarn
After completing the steep climb the mass of Great Gable takes pride of place
and at the opposite end of the huge plateau we find the summit cairn/shelter . . .
where its time to rest the legs . . .
and take in the spectacular views . . .
in different directions . . .
before taking our leave
Zooing in on The Needle - quite an achievement for those who 'thread' it
A last look at Great Gable before we descend . . .
and Ian checks out Beck Head Tarn . . .
without a drop of water reaching his boots
We take in the view of the climb . . .
as we rejoin Sheila to eat our lunch
The huge plateau of Kirk Fell
Buttermere from Fleetwith Pike . . .
with Sheila . . .
and me (plus the midges)
Time for a last look . . .
before returning to the quarry road . . .
with all its mine workings
A memorial to . . .
the opening of the slate mine . . .
which sports its own from of transport