Causey Pike to Barrow
Causey Pike 2035' (6.14 FRCC 123), Scar Crags 2205' (6.11 FRCC 104), Outerside 1863' (6.16 FRCC 150), Barrow 1494 (6.23 FRCC 205)
Wainwright No's 59, 60, 61 and 62.
Sunday 22nd February 2004.

Weather :- Clear sky's but cold, became overcast and very cold in the wind.

Accompanied by :- John, Sarah and Mike.

Total Distance 5.3 miles Total height ascended 2730 Feet, time taken 4¾ Hours.

For me this was one of the most anticipated walks in a long time. We had had a full week of glorious weather, wall to wall sunshine but quite cold. On Sunday the weather was forecast for more of the same, only colder! This would improve the visibility (allegedly) and I couldn't wait! I have wanted to get into the North Western Fells for a long time now 1) because we have not done many fells there so far, 2) my memory and photos from other web sites tell me that it has the best ridge walking in the Lake District and 3) it would mean a meal in the Cross Keys Inn at Tebay! It has been nearly a month since the last walk but only a few days since I finished writing about it! Due to various work related things I have been very busy and by now my feet were itching to get into the hills again. I had originally planned to do the Coledale Round but since I was full of cold I thought it would be better to do something less challenging. Another sort of round jumped out of the maps at me instead, I could call it the Stonycroft Beck Round but nobody would know what I was talking about (no change there then!) As I said the forecast was for cold winds coming from the north so I was also looking forwards to seeing Sarah being blown about somewhat!
During the week leading up to the walk it was a case of making sure that I, or the others, had everything that they needed for the walk. I knew it was going to be cold, but due to the new ish weather forecasting web page that I have found, The Mountain Weather Information Service , it suggested wind chill taking the temperature down to -19! Now that is cold in anybody's temperature scale. I told John and Mike to be prepared for cold and made sure that I was taking my cooker so that they could heat up some warm food if they wanted to. Unfortunately I forgot to tell Sarah to be prepared for arctic weather conditions, it's a good job she talked to John then!
A new planning technique came into use for the first time today. I know that I have written a whole page about planning but today I thought I would try something different! Based on the Cross Keys Inn in Tebay starting to serve food at 6pm this gave us a starting point (well a finishing point really, if you know what I mean!) So based on a 45 minute drive from the Keswick area to Tebay we would need to finish the walk by 5pm ish to arrive in Tebay at just the right time. Using a slightly adapted version of "Naismiths Rules"(OK, if you are 18 and super fit!), for those who don't know what Naismiths rules are I will briefly explain them...........no I won't. Have a look at this link and there is more information than you can shake a trekking pole at, unfortunately it is all in meters and kilometers (whatever they are!) In real terms it means about an hour for every 3 miles and an hour for every 2000 feet of ascent, ish! Due to my experience I have been able to develop this formula to a much more accurate one, it involves distance, height ascended, height descended, fitness levels, weight carried, navigational errors, amount of beer consumed the night before, weather conditions, amount of coffee breaks, amount of breaks for being knackery, photo opportunities, how far to the nearest pub, and how quick you walk!!!! This formula is a closely guarded family secret but I can let you know the results.....1mph.... Yep, for every hour on the fells we will cover 1 mile! (on average, in average condition!) So with a 5 mile walk planned it would take us 5 hours. So that meant starting the walk about midday. With a drive to Keswick from Preston of about an hour and a half it meant meeting at 10.30am As it happened Sarah and Mike were at Johns for 9am and met me at Preston at 9.30am (so much for plans then!)
With John driving we had the usual heart stopping moments along the M6 and A66 (I am a back seat driver!), but then again Sarah agrees with me! I must point out that John, Mike and myself all work for the same company and drive company cars, unfortunately John does not like being a passenger so he insists on doing all the driving, so even though we take it in turns with the cars, John always drives! I could not help but count the number of roadwork's that we had to pass through between Preston and Penrith, 3 ! The Highways Agency are obviously gearing up for a summer of torture and traffic jams for us motorists who use the M6, thanks a lot! I'm watching you so don't think you can get away with it this year as well!

Enough of this, back to the walk! A stop off in Keswick for Sarah and Mike to visit the toilets and John and myself were wondering why it was so quiet, here we had a fantastic day, blue sky's and great views and the car parks were empty. If it was raining the car parks would have been full, what's going on? Heading through Braithwaite we soon found ourselves at Stonycroft Bridge and parked the car further up the road as all of the parking spaces had already been taken. Getting ready was fun as it was very cold and everyone (apart from me!) put on every layer of clothing that they had. For a change I decided to wear the lining of my new jacket which is a sort of fleece. As soon as I put it on I knew that we would be having a competition, would I put on the outer jacket or would John be taking layers off first? It was very cold!


Skiddaw and Blencathra seen from Stoneycroft
With not as many layers to put on as the others I was ready and started to set up the GPS, it was still working in spite of the self inflicted injury's done to it on the last walk! I also took the opportunity to take a panoramic photo looking over towards Skiddaw and Blencathra. They looked fantastic under the bright blue sky, at least where we were was also under bright blue sky's as well so I escaped any sarcasm from the others!
Rowling End
We had parked directly under Rowling End, it looked an interesting way up as we had seen a path of sorts making it's way up as we had driven towards it. We started walking back towards the bridge and soon found the start of the path. There was a striking view up the valley towards the summit of Causey Pike. We made our way up the path and soon found ourselves walking up a steep path that gained height very quickly.
Causey Pike summit in the distance
It was cold and the odd gust of wind made it feel even colder, but at least the wind was coming from behind us at the moment. Looking around and behind us I was convinced that this was going to be one of those special days in the Lake District that meant views that went on forever. The only problem was that it was so bright that the camera sort of threw a wobblers when taking pictures into the sun!
John leading the way towards Rowling End
Looking back down to Stonycroft Bridge
John led the way and up we went. He pointed out the waterfalls in Stoneycroft Gill and asked why we were not going up them, after all the best walks that we have had have involved walking or scrambling up streams and gully's. A good point, but today's walk did not involve anything like this, maybe next time! Who said that the camera never lies? In one direction it looked like high summer, in the direction we were walking it looked cold and miserable! Looking up the valley of Stonycroft Gill it was bathed in sunshine and the old mine road looked like a pleasure to walk on, the way we were going was directly into the sun and the camera makes it look cold and bleak!
Looking up Stonycroft Gill Zig Zagging up Rowling End
It was cold but great walking. At one point John stopped and wondered about the way forwards. We had seen a path that made its way up Rowling End from the road but now we were on a path that seemed to head along the valley. I consulted my map and it seemed to suggest a path branching off the one we were on, we had seen a couple of walkers above us so there must be a path! About ten yards further on we found the path that led upwards, it was not really well marked, a sort of easy to miss thing! We had a bit of a laugh about this confusion and set off up the path.
Grisedale Pike coming into view The path above Ellas Crag
The path was quite steep and I soon found myself lagging behind. I was just not able to move my legs quickly today at all, my cold was taking it's toll on me with a vengeance! I did not even try to catch up, I just walked at my own pace, stopping to look round and admire the views, snapping the odd picture and generally trying to get my breath back! The wind kept gusting and I heard a few complaints from the others about it, John was having trouble with his eyes watering and Sarah did not seem too pleased either!
Heading straight up Rowling End Even something to scramble up!
It did not bother me really but I knew that as soon as we stopped for a coffee I would be putting on my jacket. After about 20 minutes I started to get that old feeling in my feet that spelled trouble later on, with this in mind I was more determined than ever to take it easy and not rush! Why rush up here anyway? It was a great way up, steep, but it even had the odd bit of bare rock that offered a few seconds of scrambling. The path made it's way upwards between the heather and the views back and to the side just kept getting better and better.
Looking back over to Skiddaw Waiting for me!
Quite often I lost sight of the others as the raced ahead of me, only to come into sight again as I rounded a corner or crested a rise. I was often confronted with the sight of three walkers waiting patiently for the old relative to catch them up! They did not say anything but the looks and smirks on their faces said enough! I was enjoying myself though, I might have looked knackered, probably because I was, but I was enjoying every minute of Rowling End!
Two views from the steep side of Rowling End.
The fellside got steeper, the views got better, the wind made it much colder and I think I started to enjoy it more and more! Soon we were looking across to Barrow instead of up at it, it might have been steep but we certainly gained height quickly, this made me think about comments that I have recently written about High Hartsop Dodd. Maybe I would have liked walking up it instead of down it!
Barrow Looking back down Rowling End
With me starting to think I knew it was time to put a stop to this straight away and suggested a coffee break. We found a sheltered spot out of the wind and settled down onto the heather. A coffee, a banana and some nicotine soon got my thought back on track! Here in the sun and out of the wind was a fantastic place to stop. We had a great view over the valley towards the Catbells to High Spy ridge and over that the Eastern Fells had a sprinkling of snow on them. We could even see the profile of Catstycam, I don't think I have seen it like that before. Most of the time you struggle to make it out due to the bulk of Helvellyn, from here it looked like a "proper" mountain!
Nearing the top of Rowling End And this is the view that awaits, well worth it!
The heather was just too comfortable to sit on and it was a real struggle to get up and set of walking again. I now had on my jacket and as John had not removed any layers for a change I guess he won that little game! I was soon left behind again and it was not until the ground started to even out that I caught up with them, it was only a couple of minutes away anyway. They had chosen a place to sit out of the wind that overlooked Newlands. From here the views were fantastic! Straight ahead up the ridge was the summit of Causey Pike and the ridge towards Scar Crags and Sail, away to the left was Ard Crags and further around was Robinson.
Causey Pike from Rowling End Ard Crags from Rowling End
This was a place to just sit and watch time go by, well it would be if it was slightly warmer than today! I took a few photos and just drank in the views. Now that we could see the summit of Causey Pike it looked quite imposing from here whilst the ridges of the other North Western fells just called out to be climbed sometime soon!
A panorama over the Newlands Valley showing from the left, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson with parts of the High Stile range behind
After taking the photos we set off along the ridge towards Causey Pike. John who was sitting a fair way down the ridge did not see us leave. We decided that he could catch us up, his turn to lag behind! Walking along the path that made its way between the heather I was feeling on top of the world. It was very easy walking along a great path, it really does not get much better than this!
The path towards Causey Pike Frozen plant life. Very pretty!
John soon caught us up and he chatted to me about AW. Having just watched the A. W. DVD he said that A. W. was right when he said that you see so much more when you are on your own, you take your time and see things that you might easily miss when in a group, he still thought that AW was a funny old man though! As he said this something caught his eye. At first it looked like little white flowers, but a closer inspection showed us that it was moss that was frozen solid, very pretty!
The eastern ridge of Causey Pike Contemplating the steep path up to Causey Pike
With his solitary fell wandering over with John soon launched himself up the ridge. I think that this was the sort of challenge that appeals to John. Sarah meanwhile seemed to be a bit apprehensive about the ridge. The nearer we came to it the higher and steeper it seemed to get. I was just looking forwards to doing it as I thought it would not be as bad as it looked. Mike was just his usual self and got on with it!
Looking back to Rowling End
Making our way up the sun really started to shine down on us, the wind picked up and the legs started to hurt, it was great! Sarah started to ask about eating and I persuaded her to have a spot of lunch at the top, a lets get it over with first sort of thing! After this discussion we headed up, John and Mike at superman speed, Sarah a bit slower and me somewhere back at the starting grid! I know I was slow but I was doing it at my own pace and still
It's behind you!
enjoying it. Causey Pike was fast turning into one of my favorite fells, and I hadn't even reached the summit yet! There was just something about this fell, a steep and interesting start up Rowling End, a nice gentle bit in the middle and a steep final section with what looked like a rocky scramble to reach the summit, and fantastic views wherever you looked. If that does not sum up the perfect peak I don't know what does!
The way up Causey Pike Barrow
With John disappearing into the distance I soon found a sign that he had left for me. He had scratched an arrow into the ground pointing straight up the ridge, I thought this was quite funny. Of course I had to stop to look at the arrow and whilst I was here I took a few pictures. This slowed me down even more and when I started walking again I soon came across a rather more obvious sign.
The second of John's signs Ok, I get the message!
John had built an arrow now, this was getting really funny! I shouted up to them whether they were sure it was pointing in the right direction or not, I could not hear the reply. They told me there was one more sign for me, this of course made me walk even slower looking for it, when I eventually found it I realized that it was not funny any more! I guess I was winding them up by being so slow, sorry but I felt a bit under the weather. On the plus side I was still enjoying it!
Waiting for me! Looking back to Rowling End
I made a real effort to catch them up now. By now we were reaching the rocky parts. From down below we had spotted what looked like a gully that lay on the right of the summit crags, hopefully this would be a bit of a scramble. John soon found this and disappeared up it. It was indeed a bit of a gully and we had some proper scrambling to get to the summit.
The final part of the ridge
Because John had found the gully midway up and I was slightly behind I was able to get into it from the bottom. I followed Sarah up and was a bit disappointed that it did not last very long. It was over just a soon as it began but it had made the last few feet of Causey Pike very interesting. At the head of the gully, perhaps gully is the wrong word really, it was more of a crack or fault line, only a few rocky steps away was the summit.
A gully to scramble up!
Rigg Beck Causey Pike summit
Reaching the top of Causey Pike was a bit like reaching the top of Rowling End, all of a sudden great views open up before you. This is definatly in my top ten of summits now! As soon as I reached the summit we retraced our steps back down a few feet to get out of the wind, it was freezing!
Scar Crags, Sail and Eel Crag from Causey Pike Looking back to Rowling End
Lunch time meant me getting the cooker out for Sarah to heat up her macaroni cheese in a tin and John's home made beef stew with chili! I was settling for a few cold sandwiches. As I got the cooker out Sarah decided that she wasn't hungry enough yet and settled for a bag of crisps, John's stew was still steaming in his flask so I put the cooker away, I suppose it saved on the washing up!
360 degree panorama from Causey Pike
This was an ideal lunch spot, the views were great but even out of the wind it was very cold up here. After a quick bite to eat and some coffee I ventured back up to the summit to take the panorama and a few other photos. Very soon I was feeling extremely cold just standing there! It was a struggle to set up the camera for timed shot as the wind kept trying to blow the camera over.
The terrible trio plus one at Causey Pike summit The ridge to Scar Crags
When everyone was ready we set off along the ridge towards Scar Crags. The ground was frozen here, which was a good job because there was a fair amount of boggy places that we had to pass over, no sinking down to your ankles today! It was bitterly cold now on the ridge, there was no escaping the wind up here! I asked the others to come up with a new name to call ourselves as Mike always seems to be "plus one"! John came up with a few suggestions but I could not possible place them here, I will make my own up instead!
A westerly panorama from Causey Pike showing Scar Crag, Sail, Eel Crag, Coledale Hause, Whiteside, Hopgill Head and Grisedale Pike. The "big" North Western Fells (the only one missing is Grasmoor)
Again I stopped to take a few photos, the sight before us of the high fells around Coledale Hause was worth the stop. Well I stopped and the others carried on! Oh well, in for a penny...... I snapped a few more of Outerside and Grisedale Pike. Outerside was the next planned summit after Scar Crags. On the map it looked like just a slight detour away from the old mine road, from here it looked much more than that!
Outerside and Grisedale Pike The ridge to Scar Crags
Surprisingly I found myself left behind again, I contented myself by going into "solitary fell wandering" mode! This ridge to Scar Crags is one of the things that I love about the Lake District, here we were high up with great views down on both sides. The North Western fells are a ridge walkers heaven!
Scar Crags Looking back to Causey Pike
Looking forwards Scar Crags did not seem much more than a slight raise in the ridge. Looking behind Causey Pike still looked something special, still up there in my top ten! As the ridge started to narrow my attention was drawn towards Ard Crags and Knott Rigg on the left. We had all done this ridge walk in January last year, on both occasions the poor weather meant no views but a sense of a great ridge walk. Now that I could clearly see them I was glad to see that my thought were right, proper ridges!
The ridge up to Scar Crags Ard Crags and Knott Rigg
Reaching the depression between Causey Pike and Scar Crags the way forwards looked more like a challenge. From a distance the rise up to Scar Crags looks nothing, as you near it the perspective changes and it seems much steeper and further away, very strange!
Waiting for me! Scar Crags summit
Just before the start of the steeper part of the ridge I came across a party of three walkers sat just out of the wind, I was sure that I recognized them! Sure enough it was John Sarah and Mike waiting patiently for me again and cursing me under there breathe. I was really slowing them down today. I persuaded them to all smile for a photo, and boy did they take some persuading!
Looking down on the crags of Scar Crags Scar Crags summit cairn
Very soon we reached the summit cairn. I started to snap away but had to stop to change the battery and card in the camera. This was not as easy as usual today due to frozen fingers! John wanted me to hurry up as he had spotted a group of walkers approaching from Sail Pass and did not want to hang around and make conversation for some reason. Something about it being to cold to chat was his excuse!
360 degree panorama from Scar Crags
I took the photos as quickly as I could whilst the others sheltered out of the wind, again it was fun trying to get the camera to stay in one place for the timed shot. I had decided on a new name for us now, "the fantastic foursome"! Mike did not seem all that grateful and said that I shouldn't have bothered as this was going to be his last walk for quite a while anyway!
Waiting for me! (to finish taking the photos) The fantastic foursome on Scar Crags summit
The other walkers passed us by without stopping and I noticed that one of them had on a pair of ski goggles! Normally I would have found this strange but with the wind and the cold I knew that even John would have been thank full for something like that today,
Looking back to Causey Pike Sail from Scar Crags
With all of the photos taken we set of down towards Sail Pass As we were all together Sarah was asking where we were going next, I think the sight of the path up to Sail was a bit off putting to her! I reassured her that we were going to go down to Sail Pass and then start heading back via another couple of summits. Someone suggested, I can't remember who but it was probably John, wanted to know why we could not just head straight down to Outerside seeing that it was only over there!
Sail from the descent to Sail Pass Sail Pass
I mentioned things about it being too steep and the fact that Sail Pass was only just down there anyway. This seemed to do the trick, or was it just too cold to stand and discuss anything! Either way we headed along towards Sail Pass. Again like the path up to Scar Crags the path up to Sail looked more imposing the nearer we got to it, I was glad we were heading down and not up it! Sail Pass looked like it has seen rather a lot of feet over the years, the paths were worn very wide but I would not describe them as eroded, in fact they looked liked they belonged here.
Outerside in the sunshine The path below Long Crag
A short way down the path we got out of the wind at last. Outerside came into view, bathed in sunshine and looking like a totally separate peak, not really a part of any others. The path was easy to walk along and in places scree had run down and over the path. Another great idea of mine not to take the direct route down then! At first I made good time and managed to keep up with everyone, but this did not last for long!
Looking back up to Sail Pass Force Crag Mine
Somewhere along this path my feet started to play up again, I had been expecting this since 20 minutes into the walk when I had the first warning signs. All of a sudden my toes started to feel like they were on fire! I tried walking slower but this did not help. I stopped walking altogether and after a few minutes the pain went away, I started to walk again but it was hard work. I hobbled along as quickly as I could but it was very, very, slow! At least the sight of Force Crag Mine took my mind of it, it looked like some of the buildings had been repaired recently. Is it still being used, or are the buildings used for another purpose now?
Outerside from the old mine road The cairn that signifies the turn off to Outerside
I saw the others disappear into the distance and felt really bad that I was back here on my own again. Going up I can't keep up, and going down I am reduced to a snails pace due to the pain! What's going on? I really do give up trying to figure out my feet! Down onto the more level ground and the path turned into more of an old road, it did make it a bit easier for me but the others were still just blobs in the distance!
Heading across High Moss towards Outerside Heading up Outerside
At a cairn by the path we turned and followed an indistinct path towards the western ridge of Outerside. This path crossed High Moss and again I was glad that the ground was frozen, it was quite boggy and wet, without the freeze it would have been a wet journey! At the foot of the ridge I eventually caught up with the others and made my apologies again. Although I was really suffering I probably felt more guilty about holding the others up. Thankfully I think they took pity on me and we just stood and chatted about camping trips and camping barns for a while. I was glad about this as I had hoped to talk about and plan some of these things during the walk, but to be honest by the end of this chat I was probably more confused and uncertain about it than I was before! When they thought that I was recovered we set off to the top of Outerside.
Looking back to Sail Pass Looking over to Coledale Hause
Outerside really took it out of me now, I found it really hard work and could only make my way up slowly. Stopping for a bit of a breather again I looked behind me to see two mountain passes. We had walked down from Sail Pass and now I had a good view of Coledale Hause. Why is one a pass and the other a hause? Are they not the same thing or am I missing the point somewhat! I know that I was starting to think again so I tried to take my mind of this by taking a few snaps of Grisedale Pike, and I have to say that it looked great with the sun shining directly onto it!
Grisedale Pike from Outerside
So I had stopped myself from thinking (result!) and started to try and play catch up again! I really was finding Outerside hard work! It does not look like much but we had done a fair bit of walking before here, I know this excuse only applies to me but its the best one I can come up with! I eventually reached the summit to find the others waiting patiently for me again.
Outerside summit cairn The foolish foursome at Outerside summit
The summit was not much as summits go, but I was still happy to be there! Just a few stones strewn around in an attempt at making a cairn. The clouds had come in by now and the overcast made it feel even colder than what it was. I know it made me feel lethargic, so much so that I could not be bothered to take off my silly balaclava hat for the photo!
360 degree panorama from Outerside
This is the first time that I have worn this balaclava in years, I must say that as well as keeping my head warm it also helped with my ears and face, perhaps this is why I had not been bothered by the wind as much as the others,, it still looks silly though!
Stile End and Barrow from Outerside Descending the north east ridge of Outerside
Heading down towards Stile End and Barrow, John and Sarah soon left me and Mike behind, well not strictly true as I thought that Mike was taking pity on me and decided to stay back with me! I told him about "the foolish foursome" but he was still not having it. I suppose it is now time to tell why Mike won't be joining us on any walks in the near future, he's having a baby, well he isn't but you know what I mean! There I was trying to think about how we could change our names to include Mike and it's too late! I'm sure he will be rejoining us in the future, but in the mean time all the best and enjoy your last few weeks of sleep!
Heading towards Stile End Skiddaw
Looking over towards Stile End and Barrow there seemed to be any number of paths amongst the heather. It seemed a bit confusing about which one we should take. It did not get any easier as Barrow became hidden behind Stile End. John and Sarah up ahead just kept on going following the path in front of them. My feet had sort of calmed down now and Mike and I tried to catch them up. We were doing OK until I looked back and decided to take a few photos! Then it was playing catch up again.
Stile End Looking back to Outerside
Looking back to Outerside it looked much more a fell than I had thought. We had obviously gone up the easy way, the east ridge that we had come down looked far tougher. Outerside is definatly not just another lump on a ridge, it is separate from any other fell and worthy of a separate walk just to do it on it's own! Getting back to the task in hand I did not want to have to go up Stile End and then Barrow, I was planning on finding a path that led to the side of Stile End and then Barrow Door. I tried shouting and pointing to the right to John and Sarah. I think they got the message and we skirted Stile End somehow but we ended up walking across the fellside instead of on any path!
Barrow from the side of Stile End Barrow Door
This was a confusing place. Even though we could see perfectly, the number of paths and the direction they went in was confusing. I would not like to be here in mist, then it would be pot luck if you ended up on Barrow or Stile End! Even though we had tried to skirt Stile End we still had a big drop down to reach Barrow Door. Once there I decided that it was time for another coffee break. I needed the stop but I had a feeling that everyone else just wanted to get on with it! The old mine road was just below us and I was very tempted to forget Barrow and head straight back to the car!
Heading up the western ridge of Barrow And a bit further up
Sarah was also starting to feel the walk, but after a few questions she was the first one to set off towards Barrow, nice one! Barrow was not as steep as Outerside but I still was making slow progress. From Stile End the fellside had been subjected to fire, the heather was all burnt away with just 6 inches or so of dead stems sticking up. This was a Health and Safety tripping hazard if ever I had seen one! Was it done on purpose or by accident?
Looking back to Outerside Waiting for me!
Again as I was left behind, I started to stop and take a few photos. It was overcast, cold and windy but the views were still excellent. Unfortunately the immediate area seemed very desolate with all the remains of the burning. It looked very barren, a sort of moon like landscape.
Looking back from the ascent of Barrow. Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Sail, Eel Crag, Outerside and Grisedale Pike
One good think about the ascent of Barrow was the view backwards. Causey Pike seemed to dominate the scene being the nearest but Outerside was able to hold it's own amongst much higher fells. The east ridge of Causey Pike that we had climbed before looked much less intense than when we had seen it straight on from Rowling End. It still looked impressive though.
Nearing the summit of Barrow Barrow's summit cairn
Soon we reached the summit of Barrow, the 4th and lowest summit today. Again like Outerside not much in the shape of a summit cairn but a well trodden summit area. I struggled to take a panorama as the battery was just about run down. I changed it back to the old one as I knew it had a bit more life in it and somehow managed to take the panorama.
360 degree panorama from Barrow
This battery then gave up the ghost and I tried the second one again for a photo of us all at the summit. It was not having it so I had to use a part of the panorama, I was there honest! Now with all the summits done all we had to do was get back to the car! We could see it down below, the options we had were to retrace our steps aback to Barrow Door and follow the old mine road, head down the north east ridge and follow the road back or head straight down. The straight down option is one not recommended by AW!
The freezing cold foursome at Barrow's summit (I'm the one behind the camera!) Heading straight down to the old mine road
Just as soon as I mentioned the straight down option John was off like a rocket! I think that if the heather was still there instead of the burnt remains AW would have been right! As it was the route straight down was possible even though it was very steep, I would not have liked to do it with heather tugging at the ankles! Even so Sarah and myself found it hard work. I somehow managed to get the camera working half way down. John and Mike had found a new game to play on the way down whilst they waited for us. Throwing stones at a large boulder further down the fellside! They were lousy shots and we passed them by only to be overtaken as a new target appeared below! At one stage they were throwing stones over me and Sarah, we need danger money!
Nearing the old mine road The old mine road
Eventually we reached the old mine road. It had seemed like it never got any nearer to us as we descended so I can't really recommend this as a way down ! Once there it was much easier and we made good time down the path. I think this came as a relief to Sarah as well as me as we had both struggled on the way down John took great pleasure in saying that he had not felt a thing! With all the work he does in the gym I am not surprised. I do this walking thing as an attempt to keep fit, John keeps fit and uses the walking as a change in his exercise routine, can you spot the difference!
Stonycroft Bridge One last look back to Barrow
The mine road led straight down past the waterfalls of Stonycroft Gill and soon a path led through the gorse to the road by the bridge. within a couple of minutes we arrived back at the car and got ready for the pub. So that was a first real visit into the North Western fells during this diary. There is something about this area and today we had been spoilt by the weather, it gave us great views of what is a fantastic part of the Lake District. Causey Pike is now firmly stuck in my mind as a favorite, I am just sorry that I spoilt it for the rest by walking so slowly, I still enjoyed myself though!!
The GPS Track log from today's walk
No that we had finished walking my plans had all gone wrong! We had finished the walk too early and needed to kill a bit of time before getting to the pub. John had suggested a drive to Surprise View and Ashness Bridge so after a quick loo stop in Keswick we headed down Borrowdale to show Sarah and Mike the views and sights of these famous beauty spots. Surprise view was as good as ever and I even managed to get a photo of Ashness Bridge without any body else in it, well I had to tell John to move the car out of the way first! When I walked back to the car he started to drive off without me, a childish trick but one I was expecting!
The view over Derwentwater from Surprise View Ashness bridge
We made it to the Cross Keys Inn at Tebay just before they started serving food. Unfortunately the pool table was in use so we had to settle for a seat near the real fire, by this time both me and Sarah were feeling very cold so the fire was most welcome. The food was great as usual and the journey back was spoilt by a large traffic jam! Somehow, with the way the Highways Agency works I don't think this will be the last time that they ruin the trip back home this year.............................