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" Dale Head and Grisedale Pike with Jenna " Date & start time: Monday / Tuesday 15th / 16th July 2013. Location of Start : The red phone box, Loweswater , Cumbria, Uk ( NY 143 211 ) Places visited : Honister for Dale Head, Revlin Moss for Grisedale Pike. Walk details (1) : 2.75 mls, 1500 ft of ascent, 2 hours 30 mins. Highest point : Dale Head 2,473ft 753m Walk details (2) : 3.5 mls, 1600 ft of ascent, 2 hours 20 mins. Highest point : Grisedale Pike 2,593ft 791m Walked with : Jenna, Jo, Ann and the dogs, Jodie, Harry and Bethan. Weather : Hot and sunny but with some overcast conditions this week. |
"Dale
Head and Grisedale Pike with Jenna" at EveryTrail [ Alter the settings to zoom or change the Map, use Everytrail to download the Gps route ] |
Our daughter is home for some of the summer and in this fine weather she asks to walk a couple of high fells. The first is chosen to get a view out of the valley and the second is actually out of the valley, but not too far. Let's get out and enjoy the fine weather. Eight o'clock and early morning mist is clearing from the fells. The prospect is for another fine day. The light cloud has cleared Mellbreak but not quite the summit of Hen Comb. During a sociable morning, Jen expressed a wish to get out and climb one of the fells she hasn't done for a while thereby enabling her to see "out of the valley". I think all her recent climbing here has been very localised and she fancied a different view. The usual team plus one . . . Jen, Ann and Jo. The fourth dog, Jodie, is taking time out at home . . . she's an old lady now and preferred to stay home and do some crochet ;o) Honister Crags dominate the scene here and the dry weather has slightly emphasised the mine road where the slate chippings have turned rather dusty. The Miners track across the front, now used as the "Via Ferrata", can be traced by following the black entrances diagonally up the crag. Jen's first view "out of the valley" today . . . the Helvellyn Range beyond Launchy Tarn and the intermediate Watendlath fells. Bethan adds perspective to the view north east to High Spy, Maiden Moor and distant Skiddaw/Blencathra. She (and we) have reached the dramatic summit of Dale Head. Navigation was easy . . . follow the old straight fence line to the top . . . just remember to stop before the sheer drop on the other side of the cairn. Good dog . . . listening for once ! [ The blue clipper with the string on the previous photo is for an orienteering or fell-running event presumably. ] The slightly hazy view across to the Hindscarth Crags and down to Scope End on the left side of the 'U' shaped Newlands Valley. High Spy and Maiden Moor are on the right. We traverse right to give Jen a view down past Dale Head Tarns and down to the fields of Borrowdale near Rosthwaite. Big skies as we circle round and reach the main path down once again. Rather than a direct descent, we chose to take a slight diversion to see some old mine workings.
Beware monsters in the tunnel. A short underground tunnel and we're out into the sunshine again, looking down on more old workings. Cutting back left to the main track across the top of the Yew Crag mines and quarries. Following the fence-line down. Outside the shop and cafe . . . one of the Honister Tigers. They will forever be a reminder of Mark Weir, the late owner of Honister, his business philosophy and in fact the way he lived his life. He once remarked that . . . " It is better to live like a tiger for a day than a mouse for life " Mmmm . . . tea and shortbread from the Sky Hi Cafe after the walk . . . thanks Jo. While enjoying the brew outside, Amber was scared by that Tiger at the door . . . but then it did roar at her ! - - - o o o - - - Next day Jen wanted another walk in order to get a little fitter for her Ben Nevis attempt next week. Revlin Moss car park this time . . . put some money in the forestry ticket machine and head off into the woods. [ A reasonable amount car car parking is understandable but some of the National Park all-day tickets in the Lakes are getting punitive ! ]
First views of Skiddaw as it emerges above the trees. More height . . . more Skiddaw (and a bit of Blencathra of course).
The old wall guides us us up as we take our time in the humid weather. The view south over to green Causey Pike and on toward Langdale Pikes and Bowfell in the far distance. There are a few folk about, most of whom are climbing the ridge up from Kinn and Braithwaite. Harry spots a very small sheep close up . . . or a bigger sheep further away . . . perspective plays tricks occasionally ! The last climb as the fence line takes a slight bend to follow the ridge line. Harry remembers something across the way that he found last time . . . A retriever dog-magnet ! Hold your cursor over the picture to see what I mean. Is that a pause for a photo or pause for breath in the heat. It doesn't look it but the temperatures are still in the high twenties.
Those looking for a classic summit trig point will be disappointed . . . as I was by (photographically) chopping this chap's head off. We had a nice chat with this couple from Sheffield which is where Jen will be in college this next year. We pass on Hopegill Head as a walk that direction will take us down too far away from the car. Retracing our steps . . . the view of Derwent Water and Keswick laid out before us. Looking across from the Hobcarton Ridge as we descend. The long, straight ascent we used from Revlin Moss is the next ridge across.
At the base of the descent the path heads into the trees. The car is parked back at the Revlin Moss car park . . . just a short distance away once we reach the light. - - - o o o - - - |
Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Canon Sureshot SX220, or my Canon 1100D SLR digital camera. Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder. This site best viewed with . . . A good lunch or breakfast before hand so no need to take sandwiches. Go to Top . . . © RmH . . . Email me here Previous walk - 14th July 2013 - Summer Sunshine weekend Previous times up here - 20th May 2010 Dale Head to Buttermere 21st February 2010 Arctic Grisedale Pike Next walk - 22nd July 2013 - John's Tour of the Lake District
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