This time Loes and I climb two fells on the west coast of Cumbria,
the former being the first climb on the Coast to Coast route.
Dent and Flat Fell are not quite Wainwrights, but nevertheless
they provide good walking and some hard work if you chose it.
Our route followed the more gradual ascent of Dent via the
forestry track, but our secondary climb up "Flat Fell"
was far from "flat"
as we headed up the steep ascent of its southern facing slope.
First a pleasant wildlife sighting in the garden.
We have a farmer locally that raises pheasants and so we probably
have a higher population of these larger birds locally than
normal.
Often we are visited by a male bird and a larger female, but
today we also had a family of four youngsters
finding what they could on the ground around the bird table.
Down in the more damp area of the garden a large clump of toadstools
have grown, seemingly in the last few days.
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I was going to give you a challenge for those with local knowledge.
I passed this building on the way to the start of this fell
climb . . . name the fell ?
But then I've already told you and even given you a map !
We parked at the foot of the forestry and walked to Dent up
the track within the woods.
We'd return by the grey track next to the wall below us here.
A steady and uneventful climb up through the woods
brought us out at the old ladder stile at the highest point
of the track.
However the scene has changed considerably since 2015, when
this picture of a young Dylan was taken.
We left the forest track here and set off up the grassy slope,
soon reaching the cairn on the highest point of Dent Fell.
It is however, not the best viewpoint due to the extensive
nature of the flat top, so we continue west towards the lower
summit.
Extensive views open up of the west coast and distant Black
Combe.
Looking here into the hazy sunshine rather removed the clarity
from the photo.
At the western end of the fell two cairns adorn the slight
summit.
The second one has been shaped slightly into a wind shelter
and has the better views down over the west coast.
This is the first or last summit that you reach on the first
(or last) day of any Coast to Coast Walk.
Below us is the township of Cleator and Cleater Moor, with
St Bees Head away in the distance.
Turning for our return walk back along the fell.
The wet, muddy summit walk we were expecting
has dried out by virtue of the recent weather,
but also as a result of many more well placed
stones dropped along the pathway.
We walked around the old step-style and headed
over towards the Nannycatch Valley.
To our left were the bracken covered slopes
of Flat Fell that we plan to visit shortly.
This track leads off the eastern side of the
fell, via the steep descent 50 yards ahead of Loes.
Also near this end is a small quarry or barrow
pit where stone has been extracted in times past.
Now the grassy hollow is home to a wooden seat
where one can sit and enjoy the views ahead.
Down in Nannycatch Valley we cross the small
stream
which now makes its way along this wide and
flat-bottomed glacial overflow valley.
- - - o o o - - -
A short walk brings us to the gate
at the foot of Dent Fell.
Our arrival was noted by a flock of
Herdwicks
who were taking advantage of the crag
ahead
to survey the scene below.
The Coast to Coast route heads off
to the right ,
the direct route back to our car to
the left,
but we'll take the path straight ahead
in order to climb Flat Fell
and so complete the round.
- - - o o o - - -
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The sheep remained in place as we climbed past
them.
The path climbed ever steeper and steeper, much
more so than I remember from previous visits.
Loes pointed out that there was an easier ascent
from the northern corner . . . but we wouldn't want anything
easy would we ?
After a slightly slippery, energy sapping, final
ascent we reached the small cairn.
This pointed us along the way to the main top,
some distance ahead.
Flat Fell summit . . . lives up to its name,
even though our ascent route didn't.
Heading downhill now, back to the track which
has joined us from the gate earlier.
We'll curl around to the foot of the forestry
where the car is parked and where we had started the walk today.
- - - o o o - - -
Also this week . . .
The weather has taken a bit of a turn towards
Autumn.
However Loes and I did enjoy a dry walk along
the Coffin Route high above Loweswater.
Below us Holme Woods was just starting to take
on its autumnal colours.
A wider view of the whole of Loweswater, taken
from the track.
What started as an out-and-back walk turned
into a linear one, returning home from here via High Nook Farm.
Shafts of sunlight crossed the valley, lighting
up Low Fell and Scale Hill.
The only thing now is that we'll have to return
in Loes's car to fetch mine, which is still sitting near Fangs
Brow Farm.
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" Mr and Mr July 2023 " . . . a repeat
of the Calendar picture from earlier this year.
This is the "peep round the corner",
two thirds of the way up Mellbreak, taken a few days later than
the previous Loweswater walk.
Only a north summit visit today . . . and it's
a cold north westerly that greets the three of us on the top.
- - - o o o - - -
A few days later Storm Babbet blew its way across
the country.
The damaging wind mainly affected the southern
and eastern coastal areas of the Uk mainland, but the rain was
heavy all over the country.
. . .
. . . so it it was a very wet day when we went
for a drive along the A66 to test our eyesight !
We made it to the Market Place in Barnard Castle.
Here in town we met up with our friend Hilton
who had been on holiday visiting family.
We returned some items to him that he had left
in our house recently and enjoyed a nice lunch at the Witham
Theatre Cafe.
Perhaps the most photographed shop location
in town . . . the Optician's . . . you've just got to take it
!
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Over the time span of these recent photos
my clump of garden fungi has grown and changed . . . making
identification difficult.
I's on the path to the back gate so will need
clearing soon, once it starts to die back.
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Technical note: Pictures taken
with my iPhone 11pro mobile phone camera.
Resized in Photoshop, and built
up on a Dreamweaver web builder.
This site best viewed with
. . . a nice dry day to give the garden an autumn clear-up.
Go to Home Page .
. . © RmH . . . Email
me here
Previous
walk -
15th Oct 2023 - Mockerkin
Mob - Easedale Tarn
A
previous time up here -
30th May 2015 - Dent
and Flat Fell
Next
walk -
27th Oct 2023 - Wood
House Buttermere
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Flat-fell-ery will get you a long way
. . . a few pennies in my hand and I'll throw in a calendar
too . . .
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Now
is your chance to have your favourite
web site pictures
hanging
on your wall all year round
and
to support a good cause.
- - - o o o - - -
" We've
done it again.
We've brought you twelve months of Loweswater
pictures,
Lakeland scenes and your favourite mountain dogs."
Yes
. . . The
2024 Loweswatercam Calendar is
now on sale
- - - o o o - - -
Click
here or on the photos
for
full details of how to buy your copy.
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