~Kentmere Circular~
26th June 2010
I have no idea when the last time I walked these fells was, my best guess would be 30 years ago and it is at least 10 years since I was last in Kentmere itself, so when Steve Procter from the OFC indicated that a Kentmere Round would be on offer this weekend, it focussed my mind.....
Two Left Feet
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Badger Rock
Well, this takes the biscuit. I had two pairs of boots in my car from yesterday (Swaledale), so I decided to take the old pair out of the car and travel to meet Dave Dimmock at Hellifield. When I met DD, it transpired that I'd taken two right boots out and left myself with both left boots. Numpty decided that the safest bet would be to walk in trainers.
Garburn Pass
Gloomy heavy skies, the walkers follow Garburn Pass before turning for the route up Yoke.
Looking Back
Windermere is just visible, these views do not reward the photographer.
Yoke Summit
The photos will get bigger if and when the visibility improves.
Ill Bell
Ill Bell Summit
I have it mind that one day I'm going to ascend Ill Bell from Troutbeck and then descend to Kentmere Reservoir. This mountain's position on a popular ridge walk tends to keep walkers away from the interesting slopes.
Froswick
There we are, the sun gets through and normal service is resumed. Froswick is one of those few mountains that warrant only four pages in the Wainwright Guides, can you think of any others?
Froswick Summit
Thornthwaite Crag
Caudale Moor
Thornthwaite Crag could be considered the high point of the Kentmere Round. This view to Caudale Moor shows how much and how quickly the weather has improved. We intend to go higher with a visit to High Street summit. DD decides to go ahead to Mardale Ill Bell and put his feet up.
Hayeswater
Hayeswater is in view with mountains all around.
High Street
Rough Crag
The connoisseur's route up High Street is Rough Crag, Blea Water is in view.
Mardale Ill Bell
Is that Dave Dimmock? I was going to send him a text, but he hadn't brought his glasses, so he wouldn't have been able to read it, so I didn't bother.
Mardale Ill Bell
Lunch spot in a reunited group of five. Fine views and finer still if you wander over to the edge.
Blea Water
High Street
Ill Bell and Yoke
Small Water
Hatter Fell Summit
Well, Harter Fell actually. Someone has lost a hat and we found good use for it.
Dave Dimmock on Kentmere Pike
After Kentmere Pike, we decided to take a walk across to the vantage point of Goat Scar, overlooking Longsleddale.
Goat Scar to Tarn Crag
Upper Longsleddale
Shipman Knotts
Shipman Knotts
We are descending in warm sunshine, what a change from first thing this morning.
The Kentmere Round
Green Kentmere
Lush green fields and trees in Kentmere. This valley is also strewn with boulders and would offer great fun to boulder enthusiasts, left behind by retreating glaciers.
St.Cuthbert's Parish Church, Kentmere
That's a good reason not to mow the lawn at home. From now on, my garden is a "managed conservation area". We left Kentmere and went to Staveley for a little refreshment.
Eagle & Child, Staveley
Walkers: Steve Procter, Simon Howard, Edmund Harrison, David Dimmock and Me.
Time taken: 8hrs over a distance of about 12 miles.
Route: Kentmere Church, Garburn Pass, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, Harter Fell, Kentmere Pike, Goat Crag, Shipman Knotts, Garburn Pass and back to Kentmere Church
Weather and conditions: Gloomy, brightening up to give us a warm, sunny day.
Greetings Count: Steady. One thing is certainly true, these fells are for fellwalkers. The tourists will head for Scafell Pike and Helvellyn, but they are a long way and hopefully a long time away from here.
Richard's Refreshment Review: A pint of beer, shandy, fizzy stuff in the Eagle & Child, Staveley.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 ©
Take me back to the start ....