Fabulous Fells

This time I got lucky.

Thwarted a couple of weeks ago

at my second attempt

to see Red Pike and High Stile,

while on them.

This week views unfolded over hills and valleys

as I hiked up Haystacks from another direction.

Staying at the YHA, Borrowdale made an early start and a long day possible without running to darkness.

Thick frost coated everywhere as we crunched up from Honister.

Remnants of snow lingered after the first snow and thaw a day or two ago.

Buttermere in view before Fleetwith was even reached.  High Stiles bulk hanging over the diminutive mere.

Swinging round the deep autumn oranges glowed on Dale Head.

Just a little snow remaining on the distant higher fells Air so clear Crummock water stretched beyond Buttermere. Even the windmills of the Cumbrian coast could be seen, amassed and waiting like some strange, skinny invaders.

Innominate tarn wrinkled with ice. Pillar bleak beyond.  We did just wondered if we’d picked up a crumb of Wainwright and moved him on his way.

The High Stile ridge slices between Buttermere and Ennerdale, and for once I could see it all.

Even back to the slate mine.

Brandreth was next on the list, so we wandered across country a bit towards its grassy slopes. 

Clearly we’d had the best of the day.  Clouds encroached the horizon and the chill crept over with the disappearance of the sun.

So a quick lunch on an icy Brandreth before heading up Green Gable

To meet the track down to Gillercomb and Seathwaite.

Route map. 10 miles.