Sunday, 15th March 2015
| Walk: | Fleetwith Edge, Fleetwith Pike, Warnscale Beck, The Retreat, Warnscale Bottom plus Buttermere Church to Buttermere shoreline | ||
| Start Point: | Gatesgarth Farm | Grid Reference: | NY 195 149 |
| Distance: | 8 miles | Ascent: | 2,440 feet |
| Time: | 6 hours | ||
| Weather: | Hazy with some low cloud and short spells of sunshine | ||
| Comments: | The aim of this walk was to locate The Retreat seen on a number of photos. It would also satisfy a long held ambition to climb Fleetwith Edge. The climb was enjoyable, if rather long, with some sections of grassy ascent and some easy scrambles. We managed to locate The Retreat from the summit but it was much more difficult to find it as we descended. After completing the walk we took an afternoon stroll to Buttermere shoreline, where the Buttermere Tree, also seen in a number of photos, is located. | ||
Preparing to start the ascent of Fleetwith Edge
We make a slight detour . . .
to take a closer look . . .
at the cross . . .
a memorial to Fanny Mercer
Marie descends the rock face . . .
while I take in the view over Buttermere . . .
and again from higher up
Haystacks looks down over Warnscale Bottom
One of the more rocky sections on the way up
Kath checks out our climb so far
Nearly at the top . . .
where a cairn marks the summit
In fact there are two cairns . . .
but this is the more impressive of the two . . .
so we choose it . . .
for our summit photos
Zooming in on The Retreat from the summit . . .
but it is well camouflaged when close up
The entrance is at the back of the building . . .
and inside are all the things needed . . .
for an overnight stay
Our lunch spot at the front of the bothy provides great views
and climbing up behind it . . .
gives the opportunity . . .
for a number of different shots . . .
with the Buttermere ridge in the background
Crossing Warnscale Beck . . .
just above the watefall . . .
seen again from a different vantage point
Heading down to Warnscale Bottom with Mellbreak (yesterday's walk) in the distance
Fleetwith Edge . . .
from the Buttermere shoreline
as the sun makes an appearance
The Buttermere Tree . . .
and a last look at Fleetwith Edge