High Pike, Lake District, Spring
There’s more to the Northern Fells of the Lake District than meets the eye.
There's more to the Northern Fells of the Lake District than meets the eye.
Nearing the end of our May break, and after having enjoyed the delights of Dash Falls, Lisabet and I decided that a reasonably high climb was in order.
Thankfully we had assistance! A former work colleague of mine turned good friend, Kate, lives in Northern Cumbria and is fell acquainted with the Northern Fells. After a coffee and a catch up, she guided us to a good parking area and we set off up the fell.
The Northern Fells really put me in mind of the Howgills: rolling, smooth hills with deep scarred valleys. Our goal for the day was to summit High Pike (658 m/2,159 ft), and in places the going was pretty steep. However, the views from the top are exquisite.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two of my prime lenses: a Fujinon 23mm f/2.0 and an adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0. Images converted in Lightroom, then edited in Affinity Photo.
On our way up the easy-to-follow path and already the views are wide open and expansive. A great day for hiking.
The way up, with Potts Gill to our right. This area of the Northern Fells has been historically mined extensively, evidenced by fenced off shaft entrances and clear tracks.
The view from near the top of Potts Gill and its ripples. Dead centre is a transmitting station and in the far distance are the coastal Galloway mountains across the Solway Firth.
As the continue the climb, slivers of light dance across the fells and sink into the gills. The prominent peak is Brae Fell.
A 55mm composition of Brae Fell with deep gills scarring its flank.
But finally, after lots of huffing and puffing, summit! Looking south from the summit of High Pike, the fells criss-cross each other towards the back of Blencathra.
Even more stunning views to the east. To the left is Carrock Fell, and to the right are the crags of Bowscale Fell.
I ventured down the western slope of High Pike a little bit to get a clear view of the scene here. Great Lingy Hill and its extremely steep valley.
I kept returning to gawp at the view southwards, checking out the sheer southeastern crag faces of Bowscale Fell and Blencathra.
Heading back down the same route, the afternoon sun breaks through and scans across the scene ahead of us.
Back down on Caldbeck Moor there is gorse everywhere, smelling beautifully of coconut.
One last look back at the trail we took to High Pike. What a crackin' hike and a beautiful conclusion to our week.
High Sweden Bridge, Lake District, Spring
It was nice to get a bit of altitude.
It was nice to get a bit of altitude.
I think the last time we hiked the High Sweden Bridge circular was back in June of 2020, just as the UK was starting to come out of the first COVID-19 Lockdown. Wow. Time flies, eh?
With this weekend due to continue its favourable weather conditions, we followed Saturday’s hike around Brough Castle with a longer, more strenuous hike up to High Sweden Bridge in Scandale, above Ambleside. I tell you something: it was so good to finally see the Lakeland fells clearly.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my Fujinon 23mm f/2.0 and my adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0 prime lenses. Images developed in RNI Films’ Velvia 100F film profile.
On this occasion we elected to park at one of the free lay-bys before you get into Ambleside proper. This would give us a few extra 1,000 steps or so.
Wansfell Pike (486.9 m/1,597 ft) above Ambleside, clear as a bell in the beautiful light.
We soon found the steep lane that climbs up into Scandale, and the views quickly improved from “This is pretty” to “Bloody hell!”
On the way up, a cute little Robin (Erithacus rubecula) made its presence known to us atop a drystone wall. Didn’t fly or away or anything. Happy to chill and let us take photos.
Soon, High Pike came into our sight, lit up like a beacon in the spring Lake District sun.
Higher and higher the trail went. Astonishingly clear views towards Rydal Water, Loughrigg, Silver How, and the Langdale Fells were enjoyed.
My lovely Lisabet, perched on the ancient packhorse bridge known as High Sweden Bridge.
After crossing High Sweden Bridge, it was time to ascend up the Scandale fell side in order to find the ridge that let back down into Ambleside.
The full extent of Scandale opened up before us. On the eastern side of the valley, a minor footpath continues up the valley to link with Scandale Pass, which takes you onto Kirkstone Pass should you so wish.
When crossing the stile, I paused at the summit of the climb to snap this obvious composition of the drystone wall leading all the way to High Pike.
The Coniston fells come back into view after finding the open ridge back down into Ambleside.
The wonderfully craggy profile of the Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, and Crinkle Crags.
A minor sheep track branches off the main trail, heading towards Nab Scar. The skyline of the fells is impossible to resist a photo.
One last peek at the Langdale Pikes before we drop down the fellside into Ambleside.
The long ridge of Wetherlam sinks beneath the bulk of Loughrigg as we descend.
What a fantastic and bizarre looking tree.
Near Low Sweden Bridge, a flock of young Kendal Rough Fells peacefully graze on the new grass.
What a crackin’ day.
Pandemic Peregrinations: Caldbeck Common, Cumbria, Winter
Today it was time for something a little different.
Today it was time for something a little different.
It’s been about a month since I last saw my Dad, and during that time a 3rd National Lockdown came into effect. My Dad’s in his 60s, lives alone, and has Type II Diabetes, so he’s in our “bubble”. So we thought it we were overdue for a visit, and zipped up to North Cumbria to check in on him, and get some exercise in whilst there.
Dad took us to Caldbeck Common, an area northeast of the northern Lake District fells. We hiked up alongside Carrock Beck and followed the old miner’s track towards High Pike (658 m/2,159 ft), snapping plenty of photos along the way.
Temperatures were around -3°C and there was a strong wind about, so it were pretty raw on the face. Refreshing and invigorating, though. More importantly, we got to hang out with my Dad, which is always a pleasure.
Most photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using a Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens. The horse photos were taken on my Google Pixel 3XL. All developed using one of RNI’s Kodachrome film profiles.
My lovely Lisabet, shooting some water action. This is Carrock Beck, which begins life from the eastern slopes of High Pike. The beck actually flows over the road here, so vehicles habitually have to ford the river.
Dad and Lisabet, nattering away, getting whipped by the cold winds.
We saw lots of delightful icicle formations by the side of the miner’s track. Miniature worlds of their own.
Looking back the way we came. In the far distance is the snow-capped escarpment known as the North Pennines. It peaks at Cross Fell (893 m/2,930 ft), which is the highest summit in England outside of the Lake District.
Managed to snap this candid shot of Dad, with Carrock Fell (661 m/2,169 ft) behind. I think Dad’s face is testament to the sub-zero temperatures blowing right into our faces.
Carrock Fell from the miner’s track. The fell is fairly unique in England as it’s largely made from Gabbro, a rough igneous rock that’s normally found on the Isle of Skye. Rock climbers like as it’s quite “grippy”.
The head of the Carrock Beck valley, which summits at High Pike. Still a bit of snow around.
Looking back at the Carrock Beck valley from further down. Plenty of gorse (Ulex europaeus) around here, but not yet in flower.
As we started driving out of Caldbeck Common we stopped the car to let a herd of fell horses through. I wound down the window to snap some phone photos when one gorgeous member of the herd stopped and poked through the window for a sniff.
Didn’t have any tasty carrots or apples on me, I’m afraid.
Beautiful creatures.