Borrowdale Fells

There was a weather window in Borrowdale today.

As if by arrangement the sleet battering my windscreen, as I drove down the valley to Rosthwaite switch off!

At least we managed to get our boots on without getting soaked.  But it lasted.

The wind whipped away the rain clouds as we trudged up the valley towards Castle Crag.

Recent warmth giving the low pastures a deep green hue as bracken, still in winter brown, was washed almost gold by sunlight.

Clouds hung just above the higher fells and there was promise of at least a tussle, if not a fight, with the wind.

The diminutive Castle Crag sheltered us on the way up its scree strewn sides.

Slates balanced on end make a strangely surreal graveyard scene.  I don’t think there are any bodies.  What a perfect hiding place it would be.  We settled for a coffee stop.

Larches cling to the summit softening the contours of slate before it tumbles down the sides to Broadslack Gill, leading down to the River Derwent.

Flat before the hike up the other side.  The crags looking ominously steep.

It was, but not exactly a climb.

The trudge of Wainwright boots has meant a fell fix and a most attractive flight of stairs up 350m or so, to a mossy ridge and the perfect spot for lunch!

Above the trees Derwent spilt north to Skiddaw,

while eclectic undulations spread ahead  over Grange Fell.

A perfect day to scramble among the rocks of King’s How and Brund Fell.

Finally dropping over the steep edge of Swanesty How and back to the valley.

The route, just over 6 miles.

A few more pictures.   And the idea from this book