Carlisle & District Rambling & Fellwalking Club

Walk & Event Reports

Sunday 28th April 2019

B Walk

Low Fell

Leader: Malcolm Iredale

Report by Malcolm Iredale

Photos by Malcolm Iredale, Ann Kin Cleaves, Christine Loftus

A dozen brave souls ignored the health warnings in the Walk Details, and met at the phone box  beside Loweswater on a very still and gentle Lakes day.

After the initial climb up to the Mosser green road we bounced along, enjoying the views over Loweswater to Gavell Fell, and across the coastal plain, albeit Scotland was somewhat vague in the soft mist. The green road led us on to a quiet road, and then a solid concrete farm track  - definitely one for the well heeled walkers!!

We meandered beside woods, and through more fields with many sheep and lambs, including some gorgeous Herdwick ones  - just as well that a pasta supper, rather than a lamb roast, awaited my return! From the fields it was once again onto another green road - well named with the lovely, new,  fresh green beech  hedges and trees. The easy bit done, we headed up into the hills - gently at first, but getting steeper. Just as well that the grand views provided an ideal excuse for photo opportunities ( ie a rest!!).

Having earned our lunch we sat out in warm sunshine on Hatteringill Head enjoying the views that now extended over the Lorton Valley to Grassmoor, as well as the coastal plain. Lunch having been despatched, it was once again upwards to Fellbarrow, the high spot of the day, and a team photo - still with a dozen of us!

The walk over the open fells was amazing - bouncy and relatively dry underfoot, only a very gentle breeze and 360 views. That, and the post lunch energy kept us going towards Low Fell, where we stopped for a few minutes to enjoy one of the Great Lakeland Views - down over Crummock Water towards, Rannerdale, Hay Stacks in the middle distance, and Gable in the far distance - pure magic!!

However, the magic did not extend to the next part of the steep down and up to Darling Fell - a hard slog towards the end of a walk, but the grand views and good company kept us all going. From the top we could see the cars - even if they were doing a credible Matchbox impersonation below us!! With the target in sight, we carefully descended to the cars to complete our circular walk.

After such a walk we deserved a tea ( + treats!!) and headed off to New House Farm to gather 4 benches around a table in the garden to arrange an ideal square dozen from which to admire the Loweswater Fells ridge recently conquered by ourselves - and provide the opportunity  for another team photo - luckily still with the same 12 from the original cast!! Unfortunately, we were not suitably dressed to join some of the hotel guests in the garden hot tub, complete with the wine chiller!!  - perhaps, next time?? - although, must remember to pack the white towelling dressing gown for future walks!!

All in all,  a great day out with good companions in the beautiful Lakes. Yes, it had its up and downs - but don’t many things in life ???

Malcolm