~Grayrigg & Winder~
7th February 2015
Grayrigg Summit
Two separate walks in this report from the first day of a short holiday based in Dent. Opportunities to look at fells that are not in the more popular Lake District ranges.
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Borrow Beck |
Route Up |
I parked near to Low Borrow Bridge, south of Tebay and we followed Borrow Beck as far as the obvious track heading up towards the communication beacons on the Whinfell Ridge. We are in mist and unsure if we will see any decent views.
Through The Mist
I am using Wainwright's "Walks on the Howgill Fells - and Adjoining Areas" - these are walks as oppose to "Fells" which make up the chapters of his Lakeland Pictorial Guides. It looks as though we will ascend above the mist.
Temperature Inversion
What? Cool, moist and heavy air is trapped at ground level and warmer air sits above it. Usually air temperature declines as altitude is gained, but the reverse happens here. Follow the wall and you may just see a "Brocken Spectre" to the left where the wall and the mist meet. Not one of the more vivid ones, but the pedestrian's prescence casts a shadow on to the mist and a rainbow effect surrounds the shadow.
To The Mast
We are on our way to the communication mast, we are on our way to the communication mast. Wainwright describes it as a "repeater station".
Grayrigg Common
This upland area hosts another mast and the path aims for it, before heading to the highest point.
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Whinfell Beacon |
Jeffrey's Mount |
The neighbouring peak of Jeffrey's Mount is surrounded by mist and this mist extends all the way up the Lune and Eden Valleys to Penrith and Carlisle.
The Scafell Range
.. is clear to see, the "nick" between Scafell (left) ands Scafell Pike is Mickledore.
Molly on the Snow
Grayrigg Summit 1,619 ft asl
With low-lying mist as far as the eye can see, a great pity for the passengers on today's Winter Cumbrian Mountain Express which is due up the line at noon.
We would have walked across the summit territory to gain views of the Lune Gorge from the edge of Grayrigg Common, but it didn't seem like the most useful way to spend the next ten minutes.
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The Wall |
More Mist |
A relatively easy way down, there being a wall to follow all the way back into Borrowdale.
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Class 37's |
Steam Train |
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Duchess of Sutherland
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Sedbergh
Later, we went to Sedbergh for a walk up Winder, as seen with a bit of snow on the higher slopes. Not going to dwell on the ascent detail, it's quite easy - ask someone the way or carry the Wainwright I mentioned earlier.
Winder Summit 1,551ft asl
Winder stands proud and keeps watch over Sedbergh. Behind is the neighbouring fell named Arant Haw.
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Fell Locator |
This Morning's Fell |
Next to the trig point on Winder is a "Fell Locator" and it tells you what all the fells in view are. The Whinfell Ridge, including Grayrigg Common are now teased by mountain mist.
Lowgill Viaduct
The disused Lowgill Viaduct is clear to see. Juxtaposed with the M6, one replaces the other to some extent. What's next? I wonder.
Approx 6 miles in the morning and maybe close to 4 in the afternoon.
Fine image of the same engine from today with Lowgill Viaduct in shot.
All photos are copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2015 ©
Take me back to the start ....