~Gowbarrow Fell~
14th July 2016
Summit of Gowbarrow Fell
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
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High Cascades Car Park |
To Aira Force / Gowbarrow Fell |
Earlier in the day, I had another wander up Little Mell Fell. Now, at 11:50hrs, we are setting off from the car park (above) to make the direct ascent of Gowbarrow Fell via the improved path to Aira Force and then (left) a walk through a couple of farmer's fields.
Fields
Up The Wall
Ullswater
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Blencathra |
Walking Party |
This short, quite steep ascent is easy and much of the path is restored to a good standard.
Dockray (village) and Great Dodd (fell)
There is a walk from Dockray into the fells beyond and it's a great way to spend a few hours in the company of very few people.
The Ascent Path
Little Mell Fell
That's where Molly and I had our early morning walk, but not from the hause - I'll report on the Mell Fell walks later.
Gowbarrow Fell Summit 1,579ft asl
Great Mell Fell is over there. Gowbarrow Fell is lower than both Mell Fells, but it is a larger fell with more ascent routes and a nice waterfall.
Sheffield Pike
The sunlit fell is Sheffield Pike and the dark shapes behind are the Helvellyn range.
Team Photo
It's a welcome relief to persuade Karen to walk without a coat on. It takes something for her to believe me when I say it is NOT going to rain!
Green Hill
Glencoyne Park
There is a footpath up through Glencoyne Park, useful for an ascent of Hart Side. In my opinion, it is one of the finest strethces of fellwalking anywhere in the Lake District, the scenery is fantastic, the walking easy and the solitude highly rewarding.
Place Fell
Ball Play in Aira Beck
Walkers: Karen, Molly The Dog and Me.
Route: High Cascades Car Park, Gowbarrow Fell - up the wall. Descent via Green Hill and Aira Beck.
Greetings: Plenty.
Weather: Sunny Intervals and warm.
Refreshments: Aira Force walkers are offered a cafe near the main car park. I have been less than impressed with service and quality in the past - but all that might be different today. However, there is the Royal Hotel in Dockray and I have never been disappointed there and they welcome dogs. We enjoyed selections from the lunch menu at the pub and it was excellent.
Time Taken: 2 hours 40 minutes over a distance of about 3.5 miles with 1,100ft of ascent.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2016 ©
Take me back to the start ....