- Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head and back -

Date & Time: Saturday 15th Sept 2007. 11.40 am start.

Location of Start : Newlands Hause, Buttermere Valley, Cumbria, Uk. ( NY 193 177 )

Places visited : Newlands Hause, Buttermere Moss, Robinson, Littledale Edge, Hindscarth, Hindscarth Edge, Dale Head, returning via High Snockrigg Fell which overlooks Buttermere.

Walk details : 8 mls, 3050 ft of ascent, 6 hrs 05 mins.

Highest point : Dale Head 2473 ft (753m )

Walked with : Jo, Ann and the dogs - Harry, Bethan, Megan, Jodie and Polly.

Weather : Forecast for an overcast day, improving as time went on, but not guaranteed.

 

Myself and Jo and 80% of the dogs on Buttermere Moss.

 

The forecast was for poor weather but hopefully it would improve.

Even at the start we hadn't planned a definite route as predicting the weather today was difficult.

Each summit would be taken as it came and maybe we would reach one or more of the major tops on this ridge walk if we were lucky.

The route started at Newlands Hause as we climbed alongside the Moss Beck waterfall - it was straight up from the start.

Once on the top, the ground levels off and we crossed the broad moorland grass area that is Buttermere Moss.

Our first major top was Robinson and we made it despite the cool weather.

The cloud base had risen slightly and the prospects were improving for the day.

The summit of Robinson has the characteristic double rock top separated by an area of flat ground.

High Stile was still in cloud but we were clear.

From the top there was a fine view down over Crummock Water to Loweswater.

They seem to be having a better day down there.

Just below the cloud base a patch of sun suddenly lit up the Floutern Pass and the tarn at it's head.

Gradually the good weather started to spread and now Rannerdale Knotts was bathed in sunshine.

As we left the top it was a very different view from the one when we arrived.

The clouds had cleared and the sun was now shining across the fells from Red Pike to Grasmoor.

 

Ann ands Jo cross Littledale Edge, with the Skiddaw Fells in the background.

We continued on, heading for the next summit on the ridge, Hindscarth.

 

The fence continues across the fell side towards Honister but we take a left here for the second summit of the day - Hindscarth.

The sunshine hasn't reached Honister yet.

Hindscarth Summit looking north to the shelter on the summit plateau.

From here we had a fine view all round.

Click here or on the photo for a full 360 degree panorama.

A quick diversion off to the right to look down into the valley below Dale Head.

The view of Catbells from there was stunning.

Time for lunch now and the shelter enabled us to escape from the gentle but cool breeze.

Lunch with a view - Littledale Crags on this side and Blea Crags on High Snab Bank opposite, with the North Western fells behind.

A party of walkers took the path down towards Scope End

but we retraced our route back to the summit in order to continue on towards Dale Head

   
A study in blue and white . . .
. . . big skies over Hindscarth summit.

After our relaxed stop we continued on . . .

Newlands Valley as we climbed Hindscarth Edge.

Do you want to come and see the view ?

That rock was a fine vantage point but it looks a long way down - almost hair raising you could say in this mountain breeze !

Hold your cursor over the photo to animate the scene.

The dogs soon chose a flatter safer rock on which to gather.

Looking back at Hindscarth from the crags near the summit of Dale Head.

Our third summit of the day - Dale Head.

We really hadn't expected to reach this far today as the forecast was poor, but the wonderful afternoon weather allowed this change of plan.

   
A few more yards beyond the top to try and see below.
Looking down on the Borrowdale Valley near Rosthwaite.

The clouds had not completely disappeared but we were able to get a glimpse of distant Yorkshire hills over Sergeants Crag and Greenup Edge.

I believe that's Whernside and Ingleborough out there in the sunshine.

Time to turn for home and we climb the short distance back up to Dale Head.

The High Stile Ridge is now just clear of the clouds as we make our way back towards Hindscarth.

Ann and Jo watching their feet on the stoney path as we take the short cut to avoid the Hindscarth summit.

The straight forward route over to Robinson.

A similar sort cut tactic avoids the walk out and back to Robinson's summit too.

Dropping down from the high ground of Robinson, Grasmoor and the valley beyond are still enjoying the fine sunshine.

Ann's photo of Harry and I as we stop to admire the view.

The last summit of the day all being well, would be the minor peak of High Snockrigg, over there on the other side of Buttermere Moss.

 

Strong rays of sunlight shine down on the village of Buttermere below.

Vibrant greens on the Buttermere meadows.

A full campsite and extra field parking means lots of visitors in Buttermere today.

Time to go, as we avoid the wetter centre ground on our return to Newlands Hause.

 

   
The top of Moss Force is now in afternoon shadow.
The end is in sight as we drop down to the car.

 

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with a Canon Ixus and the repaired Canon G7 Digital camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . a haircut in the morning I think.

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© RmH.2007 # Email me here

Previous walk - 13th September 2007 Dove Crag and Priest's Hole Cave

A previous time up here - 2nd March 2006 Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson in the snow

Next walk - 18th Sept 2007 Graystones and Broom Fell