Looking across LoweswaterAscending across the flank of Darling FellLoweswater from Low FellThe higher, northern summit of Low Fell, my Wainwright summit 212, looking north across the ridge of Loweswater Fell to FellbarrowFrom the same point, looking across LoweswaterOn the summit of Fellbarrow – my Wainwright summit 213.Looking out over the coastal plain from FellbarrowThe rest of the walk was largely retracting steps, but I skipped the summit of the minor top of Smithy Fell on the way back, and made a small diversion to the pleasant southern, lower, summit of Low Fell
Blencathra – 214
A very enjoyable day. An enjoyable Penrith parkrun with the sun lighting up Cross Fell, then I climbed Blencathra, my 214th and final Wainwright summit (a lovely fell to have deliberately left till last), had a more distant look at Blencathra from Castlerigg Stone Circle (somewhere I’ve long intended to visit but somehow never have), and finished with a drink and cake at the Bluebird Cafe (not my first visit!).
Looking up to the top of Blencathra. The first part of my walk was dodging the fell runners descending – they were on a 50-mile 4000-metre ascent ultra-run, from Caldbeck to Cartmel.Climbing Doddick Fell, looking down into Doddick Gill, with the summit of Blencathra the peak centre-leftLooking back as I gain height on Doddick FellI made a diversion to the summit of Atkinson Pike, which gave the opportunity to look at Sharp Edge and down into Scales TarnScales TarnSkiddaw from Atkinson PikeBlencathra summit from Atkinson PikeSkiddaw from the little tarn above Tarn Crags at the col between Atkinson Pike and Hallsfell Top, the summit of BlencathraMe on number 214Heading downBlencathra behind Castlerigg Stone Circle. It took quite a while to get this without people – there are three separate groups who I’ve managed to hide behind three different stones!Coniston Water by the Bluebird Cafe after a well-earned piece of cake
So, what’s next? Revisit some fells that I’ve only seen in fog or rain (I think Crinkle Crags is first on that list), and try some different routes up some of the best fells. Much as I wanted to complete the 214, it will be nice not to feel I have to go certain places, but can pick and choose more freely. Also there is quite a bit of the High Street ridge that I haven’t walked – Thornthwaite Crag to Wether Hill in particular. Troutbeck to Pooley Bridge would be a challenging but very satisfying walk. Lots and lots of possibilities.
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