Date: 04-Mar-2010
Map: Landranger 90, OL5
Weather: Wall to wall sunshine
From the village of Hartsop up to Hartsop
Dodd, then on to Stoney Cove Pike before descending to
Threshthwaite Mouth. Up an icy slope to Thornthwaite Beacon
and back down to Gray Crag and onwards to Hartsop:
7.4 miles as measured onSatmap GPS
The month
of March turned out to be a great month for walking and this
was the start of it - today was wall to wall sunshine
- the type to put a smile on your face. I nipped up the Kirkstone Pass, stopping to take a picture of Troutbeck
Tongue bathed in sunshine with 1/2 of the Kentmere Horseshoe
in the background. A very picturesque scene all topped out
with snow - what a great start to the day. I remembered my
crampons the night before but forgot to take them in the
morning and how I needed them! As I drove into Patterdale I
knew it was straight into huff and puff as looked up
at Hartsop Dodd, a typically steep sided fell. I parked in
the lovely village of Hartsop where the roads wind tightly
through the houses to the car park just before open land.
There was plenty of room and a little box for
voluntary donations for maintenance, so I bunged in a few
quid and a couple of buttons. I had talked to a couple of
other folk about using crampons and most of the opinion was
that it would be ok without - my fault for not being
prepared, as above the snowline on northern facing slopes it
was very icy.
Troutbeck Tongue backed by the western side of the Kentmere
Horseshoe and Caudale Moor
looking over to Gray Crag and my route down later on
the view over to Red Screes from the ascent of Hartsop Dodd
Steeply down to Hayeswater Gill
Out into the fresh cold air I soon warmed up
as the steep slopes of Hartsop Dodd beckoned. The big bonus
today was that it was virtually windless, so the wind chill
factor was absent. As I got higher up the slopes I stopped
often - I had to catch my breathe - I stood in awe of such a
clear vista, with High Street one side and Red Screes the
other. I got up onto the frozen snow eventually and then
progress was slow. It was icy and firm and I was glad I had
my walking pole with me to arrest any slides - I had to kick
in steps quite often and that was pretty tiring at the start
of the walk. On my camera today I used a circular polarising
filter which is why the skies are so blue - they were
anyway. Up on the top of the first climb the gradient eased
and the world under my feet turned snowy white. There were
plenty of deep drifts up to the walls and the slightly
thawed powder snow was energy sapping, so I stopped at the
cairn and had some snap, I was in no rush today. Refreshed I
plodded on up the long steady ascent to Caudale Moor/Stoney
Cove Pike on crunchy, powdery, icy snow. The bright sun
shone down on me all day and I didn't know where to look
first, there were utterly fantastic views all around.
on my way up to Caudale Moor
looking back down to Hartsop Dodd and over to the Helvellyn
range
Caudale Moor with Helvellyn beyond
looking down Troutbeck towards Windermere
I should have had the crampons on for this bit to
Thornthwaite Beacon
Behind
me to the north of the lakes a hot air balloon soared
majestically into the sky, then disappeared next time I
turned around - a bit spooky but no crashes reported. From
the summit of Stoney Cove Pike there were good views over to
High Street, Thornthwaite Crag and the western side of the
Kentmere Horseshoe towards Windermere. Then the fun began as
it was very, very icy down the slopes to Threshwaite Mouth -
the col before the climb up to the beacon. Lots of frozen
springs to slide over and I had to be very careful of my
footing so progress was slow - who said I'd be ok without
crampons! But I took my time and got down safely. As I was
stood admiring the views I saw it coming and struggled to
get the camera from my bag - too late, whoosh - the jet was
so close I almost fell over backwards - a fantastic sight.
It was a fantastic spot for lunch, warm in the sunshine, and
snow free. Up ahead I pondered the route up to Thornthwaite
Crag and it looked very steep - it was, and very icy - it
really was. I met a fellow walking forum member coming down,
but didn't know at the time, but glad that he had kicked
steps in all the way down. I was a bit reluctant halfway up
as it was very steep and a little intimidating but I made it
and the gradient eased over towards the beacon.
Thornthwaite Beacon with Windermere beyond
ski trails off the side of High Street
looking back down on Hartsop Dodd, with Hartsop far below in
the valley. Blencathra in the distance
more kamikaze ski trails off High Street
This was a
natural gathering point and is very photogenic on a day like
today was, with great views down to Windermere despite the
glare of the sun. My 3rd Wainwright of the day was next all
downhill to Gray Crag. I could pick out the icier stretches
where the powder had blown away and it made a for a swift
crunchy descent. Over to my right was the mighty High
Street, and I couldn't quite believe my eyes when I looked
across and saw ski trails blazing straight down the side of
the hill. It was very steep down several of the gullies, and
it must have been exhilarating to say the least. There were
also a set of ski trails running down off Gray Crags and
looking down to the valley below it made me realise that
these guys must have balls of steel - not for me though, my
knees couldn't take it. After bagging Gray Crag I looked
down to Hartsop and Patterdale beyond, and set off down the
snowy slope.
only one way down if you fall
Pasture Bottom down below - great name
the view down Gray Crag and my route steeply off the end
Looking back up to Gray Crag
Luckily the afternoon sun had just taken the
edge off the iciness going down the slopes - no crags
either so it made it easier on the old joints. I never
thought about the strength of the sun in early March and
daft as it seems I got a touch of sunburn today. What a
fantastic walk in brilliant weather, I felt so good I nipped
up Arnison Crag for fun.
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