Monday, 24 June 2013

23rd June .......Wharfedale meadows......

I set out from Conistone near Kilnsey in Wharfedale to walk up to Kettlewell through the fields full of buttercups and wild flowers which are in full bloom at the moment, and then up onto Great Whernside.
The meadows were stunning and I spent quite a while capturing some images in there.  I passed through the back streets of Kettlewell and walked along side the Dowber Gill Beck heading for the Gt Whernside  but as I climbed higher towards the summit the cloud descended and wind picked up.
The plan was to to return over the tops but a hasty retreat back down to the tranquility of the dale was the best option with the opportunity to get some more pics of the flowers and barns.
















Monday, 17 June 2013

16th June....Bessy Boot and Glaramara

Bessy Boot is one of the less visited tops, but standing on its own at the end of Glaramara it has some fine views over the surrounding mountains.
The path to its summit is steep, ill defined and and easily lost, and without a dry way to cross Comb Gill visitors who like the security of easy to follow paths will find this route not to their liking. 
The reward for those who push for the top is a wild remote fell, devoid of motorways and cairns, but full of peace, tranquility and hidden corners.
Having made the summit, the way to Glaramara over the open fell is  complex and would be a challenge in poor weather, many false tops and sheep paths to fool the unsuspecting walker onto steeper ground......what a wonderful place to get lost though :-)



Stockley Bridge

Comb Gill

Tarn at Leaves

High House Tarn and the Langdale Pikes

Bowfell from Esk Hause

The top of Ruddy Gill

Random stump


Thursday, 13 June 2013

Sunday, 2 June 2013

1st June....Scafell... Lords Rake

As I arrived in Wasdale it was obviously another busy day up on Scafell Pike so rather than go with the crowds I left them behind and headed towards Mickledore for an ascent of Scafell via  Lords Rake.

The decent onto the start of Lords Rake wasn't too pleasant, very slippery, loose scree made for an awkward scramble down to the path,  once on the path Lords Rake is only a few yards away.  I was surprised to see 2 large banks of snow still remaining in the bottom of the rake, a testament to the large amount of snow that came late in the season, and the chock stone at the top of the Rake still hanging on waiting to fall into the gully.

I'm afraid the climb up Lords Rake isn't pleasant, loose muddy scree and the risk of rocks falling from above meant that I moved quickly to get out of the situation asap.

The scenery and situation though is stunning and will be amazing in winter when the snow has covered the scree, ......can't wait!!

The River Duddon
Lingmell Beck....only flows in winter
The path to Mickledore
 Scafell
Lords Rake from the approach path
Snow in Lords Rake in June!!
Lords Rake, scree
The collapsed chock stone, about the size of a large white van!
Looking back along Lords Rake towards Scafell Pike
Looking back along Lords Rake towards Scafell Pike
Deep Gyll from Symonds Knott
Scafell Pike with weekend crowds
Scafell Pike from Wasdale