DGH and JRH Walks- 2022

 Team Outing: Blencathra and Outlying Wainwrights David met with Julian, Paul, Greg, Chas, Andrew and Michael to add to Chas' list of Wainwrights. The walk was similar to one David and Jacinta had done last year but included a couple that we hadn't done. We started in Mungrisdale and effectively reversed the route Jacinta and I had done, walking up the south side of The Tongue and up to the saddle between Bowscale Fell and Bannerdale Crag. Bannerdale Crag to the left, Blencathra dusted with snow to the right We duly went to the summit of both Bowscale Fell and Bannerdale Crag and then down to the coll between Bannerdale Crag and Blencathra. Blencathra (with "Saddleback"), Paul, and my thumb From there, we went on to Mungrisdale Common- the summit only discernible by a pile of stones, typically in a puddle. We probably wouldn't have gone there if Wainwright hadn't included it in one of his guidebooks. The "Summit" of Mungrisdale Common The summit of B...

  Hayfield to Kinder Downfall and Kinder Low The weather forecast didn't seem too bad- a chance of rain later in the day- and we felt like a walk of about 8 miles. We'd not been up to Kinder Downfall for quite some time and, as Hayfield isn't too far, this suited our slightly late start. The mist was fairly low as we approached the Kinder Reservoir dam. Low cloud above the approach to Kinder Reservoir The moisture in the air made the dying bracken a pronounced reddy-brown. Bracken in autumn colours As we made our way up William Clough, the mist seemed to be lifting a little. Mist lifting in William Clough As we went higher up the clough, the mist blew over completely, and the autumn colours appeared completely. Higher up William Clough We stopped at the crossing of the paths between Mill Hill and the final ascent to Kinder for a quick snack and drink; The clouds were blowing in and out but the way ahead appeared to be clear. Tea break before final ascent to Kinder plateau O...

  Wessenden Head and the outer reaches of Marsden After our very wet trip to Wessenden Head last week, and as the skies at PLG were clear and blue, we thought that we'd give Wessenden another try. As we approached Carol's tea waggon on the Isle of Skye (A635) road there was an distinct demarcation line- the road- between ground-level cloud or mist to the north, and absolute clarity to the south. We stopped for a tea at Carol's, admired the view and decided a plan of action. View to the southeast- Black Hill to the right View to the north- our proposed route is on the left Despite the sunny aspects of Black Hill with its paved path glittering in the sun, we kept to our original plan- to follow the Pennine Way northeast and down past the Wessenden Head and Wessenden Reservoirs. Our route- descent into the murk The last spot of clear sunlight allowed a picture of Jacinta with the Pennine Way sign to be taken. A great label for the signpost The track is very familiar to us, but...

  Dove Stone, The Trinicle and Chew Reservoir- David with Paul and Mike David took his semi-regular walk with Paul, joined by Mike Brough this time. Paul suggested a variant of the walk above the Dove Stone Reservoir(s)- always good value. We met at the Binn Green car park and, per the route suggested by Paul, crossed the Yeoman Hey Reservoir dam and crossed back to the track under the Greenfield Reservoir. We took the path up Birchen Clough and up to the edge of the Slate Pit Moss plateau where we got a great view of the Trinicle. We decided that it was too green to climb today. The Trinicle, with Dove Stone Reservoir in the distance Mike and Paul reviewing the condition of The Trinicle Despite the very breezy weather, the views were great- Manchester was clearly visible and, if you squinted, you could convince yourself that you could see the sea as well. The dreaming spires of Manchester We descended the access road, forking off on the Oldham Way and down through the plantations ...

  Ashopton and Ladybower We parked in the layby just east of the Ashopton Viaduct- there were very few cars there compared with weekends, and it was easy to park. The walk begins by taking the public bridleway past Ashopton's cottages and then the forestry track which climbs through pines and larches, the latter changing to their autumn colours. Forestry track through pines and larches up to Lead Hill The path climbs up the bracken slopes of Lead Hill, eventually getting up to the summit of Whinstone Lee Tor. Here, the walk started in earnest. We were keeping a weather eye open and the view between us and Win Hill gave us an idea of how it was changing. View to Win Hill; sometimes clear, sometimes misty- warning of rain on the way At Lead Hill, we kept to the summit ridge until we came to the signposted path linking Ladybower to Moscar. We descended to the west towards Ladybower with a view of persistent cloudlet over the woods opposite. It would be great to understand why clouds p...

  Dove Stone, Chew Reservoir and Wimberry Moss We drove out to Wessenden and had a cup of tea at Carol's trusty tea waggon. While we drank our teas, we surveyed the rain hammering down, so we drove back to Dove Stone Reservoir to see if it was any better. As the rain had died down a bit, we walked up the access road (rather uninspiring but effective in getting you up high) and made a decision about what to do at the top- overlooking Chew Reservoir. Decision time at Chew Reservoir Low water level at the reservoir We decided to go back to Dove Stone over the top and, despite the weather, this proved to be a great choice. On our way from Chew Reservoir We took the permissive path which stays high above the Chew Brook Valley and above the Dove Stone Reservoir itself. Looking down over the access road and to Dove Stone Reservoir The views north were spectacular, and well worth seeing. Looking north and back towards the Chew Reservoir We made our way through the mild drizzle around towar...

  Hayfield, Lantern Pike and the Shooting Cabin The weather forecast was pretty vile- although it wasn't due to rain until mid-late afternoon, the wind was set to start at about 20mph and gust up to 60- not great. Consequently, a walk close by and not too long was suitable. Jacinta consulted the AA guide and we decided to do a familiar walk from Hayfield- not the shortest, but not too long, either. We parked at the Sett Valley car park and followed the Sett Valley Trail until... the Sett Valley Café, where we had, as usual, a really nice coffee and a snack. After the early refreshment, we crossed the River Sett and turned up the Pennine Bridleway, which was beginning to feel quite autumnal. Starting up the Pennine Bridleway At the turning down to Lower Cliffe (also on a bridleway) frustration with lost or misguided drivers had clearly been enough for someone to fork out for a sign. A sign of frustration After crossing the minor road above Lower Cliffe there's a house where the ...