James

Catbells is well regarded as a family friendly Fell in the Northern Lake District. Popular with families based in Keswick, this moderately sized fell offers a great half day walk for everyone. Great views over Derwent Water and Keswick to the East and the Newlands Valley with Causey Pike and Crag Hill to the West. Bassenthwaite Lake is to the North just below the Western slopes of Skiddaw.

To test the family friendly nature of this walk I was joined by my son Thomas (5) and his cousin Lennon (4). We approached from Keswick and parked up on the road that runs down the Western side of Derwentwater from Grange to Swinside. Parking close to Hawes End we join the path leading up the first of a couple of ascents of Catbells towards Skelgill Bank.

The views of Derwent Water come into view pretty quickly and you can see why this is such a popular walk.

You’re never too young to appreciate a good view, or is this a get your breath back moment after setting off too fast, a bit of both I think.

A Grade 3 scramble 5 year old style, possible the most challenging part of the walk, you can maybe go around this section of exposed rock but try telling that to two boys.

Causey Pike over the Newlands Valley.

On a clear day you’d get a fine view of Skiddaw from here. Looked like we were in the right part of the Lakes today, it was raining all the way here from Kendal via Penrith.

Thomas and the Newlands Valley. On the plateau before the final ascent.

Robinson and Hindscarth sit at the Southern end of the Newlands valley, behind them is Buttermere Village and the High Stile Ridge.

The final ascent is in sight, it looks worse than it is.

Conserving energy before the last climb.

One of the good things about walking with kids of this age are the regular rest stops, giving us time to take in the views and take some photos. These two photos above and below show the Newlands Valley as seen from the final ascent of Catbells. Interactive versions to follow.

Two walkers enjoying the view over Derwent Water towards Keswick and Skiddaw. The main path we followed clearly in view to the left with another family coming up.

A 360 degree panoramic photo from Catbells summit. An interactive version will follow.

Thomas at the Summit, his third Wainwright ticked off. First one in the North Lakes.

Derwent Water and Walla Crag above from the descent via Hause Gate to Manesty

We picked up the Allerdale Ramble route and met the road back to the car. A great half day walk.

You can use this link to see more of my Lake District Photography

Loughrigg Fell is situated in the center of the Lake District on the southern shore of Grasmere with Loughrigg Tarn to the East and Rydal Water to the West. Loughrigg Fell is a relatively low lying fell but given it stands alone you get a decent view in all directions from the Summit.

I’ve walked up Loughrigg Fell several times from both Pelter Bridge at the foot of Rydal Water and the National Trust Car Park on the A591.

Starting from Pelter Bridge is a pleasant route which takes you along the side of Rydal Water with fine views towards Nab Scar.

I have a Greetings Card of the above Rydal Photograph available in my Shop.

As you follow the path around Rydal Water which leads to Loughrigg Terrace fantastic views of Grasmere and Helm Crag over Grasmere Village come into view.

A well built path leads upwards.

Helm Crag and Steel Fell above Grasmere, with Dunmail Raise to the right. The main road from Grasmere to Keswick.

The high fells to the East of Grasmere Seat Sandal, Fairfield and Great Rigg.

I’m quite drawn to this view. The openness and scale is quite something. On a clear day such as this, with fairly low side lighting you really get a feel for the terrain. Seat Sandal, Fairfield and Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar above Rydal.

The Western shore of Grasmere.

Grasmere’s Eastern shore with the Weir in the foreground. You can just about make out the main road in between the trees at Baneriggs. Their was a Caravan and Camping Club day in Grasmere as you’ll notice in the fields above the Prince of Wales Hotel.

As you ascend the views get better and eventually you can see The Langdale Pikes over Silver How. Bowfell and Crinkle Crags are also in view.

Eventually the main climb levels out and for the first time you can see the Summit Trig point.

You start to loose sight of this view over Grasmere as you move along the top towards the Summit.

I have a Lake District Greetings Card available of the scene above in my Shop.

Now you get to see more of Langdale to the West.

Loughrigg Fells Summit with Windermere in the background. (below)

Looking North

Loughrigg Fell has two summits the main Summit has a trig point on a rocky plateau as seen above in the Equirectangular image.

The second less common Summit is to the South and offers the only view over Loughrigg Tarn from the fell and into Langdale as seen above as a Equirectangular image.

You get a sense for the areas industrial past from here, the mountain side of Lingmoor Fell is littered with mine workings. Elter Water is also in view from the Southern part of the Summit.

The Langdale Pikes as seen on two separate occasions form Loughrigg’s Summit.

You have a few choices for descent from here, my preferred route is back the way you came as the views over Grasmere and the surrounding fells are well worth another look.

Descending towards a Silver Grasmere as the Sun sets I make my way back to the Bike at The National Trust Car Park through Baneriggs.

Here you can see more of my Lake District Photography from Loughrigg Fell and the Surrounding area.

Scafell Pike is Englands highest peak. Sat at the heads of the Wasdale and Eskdale valleys, Scafell Pike is a very popular climb given it “highest” accolade.

Before I set out on my walks I do a fair bit of research, work out the route, time required take into account the time of year, try and plan some interesting Landscape Photography shots before hand. Pre visualization of a shot is a must for Landscape Photographers in my mind, however in order to pre visualize you need to know what your visualizing, many of my walks I class as research missions. Walk with your eyes open and look for interesting patterns, arrangements and see how you can use these elements and the weather at various times of day to compose the shot.

A large part of my pre walk research involves studying the informative Alfred Wainwright guides. Wainwright suggests that Seathwaite is the best starting point for an ascent of Scafell Pike. You can attempt this walk from Wasdale, Eskdale, Langdale and probably others, but I settled on Seathwaite.

It was a red hot summers day when I set off, parking at Seathwaite was simple enough although if I’d arrived 30 minutes later it wouldn’t have been, I was a mile down the road from Seathwaite Farm given the volume of traffic parking up.

Passing through the Farm you follow Stockley Beck south until you reach a fork in the path at Stockley Bridge. I went straight on at this point following the path along Grains Gill. This part of the walk is an attractive section, with a well constructed path along the flowing water at the bottom of a neat little valley below Seathwaite Fell and Glaramara. As you ascend you eventually reach a T-junction at the top of Ruddy Gill by Sprinkling Tarn.

The final part of the ascent here gives an impressive view of Great End towering above. Accentuated by the fact that you are walking up hill and Great end is much higher.

As you reach the junction you become aware of the popularity of this area. The path here is like a main highway, bringing people from Langdale, Seathwaite and Wasdale together.

Heading South East or left at the junction takes you round the magnificent Great End and up to Esk Haus again from here you have a choice of direction, across to Esk Pike , down the Eskdale Valley or back West to Great End and on to Scafell Pike.

Passing Great End you head towards Broad Crag.You get your first glimpse of the Summit from along here.

This section is covered in large boulders, and passing these in places can be a challenge.

On reaching Broad Crag you descend slightly before you start the final ascent of Scafell Pike.

This 360 degree panoramic Image below is from the start of the descent onto the ridge.

The 360 degree panoramic image below was taken on the ridge.

The 360 degree panoramic image below was taken ascending the ridge with the final climb to the Summit.

This section is fairly thin and exposed between Dropping Crag and Chambers Crag.

Once over this you are likely to be faced with two things. The first is the sight of the summit and the second is a crowd, there was alomost a race on with otehr walkers walking as fast as they could to get the the Summit. The view wasnt to be rushed for today, thats for sure.

As I experienced it was a very popular climb with a large cross section of ages of walker. It was still really hot and uncomfortable weather and unfortunately the clouds had come in so there was no view for me today.

The 360 degree panoramic image above was taken whilst stud on the Summit Cairn. The highest photo in England. Maybe the Highest Equiangular Image in England.

The 360 degree image below shows the Trig point and the Summit Cairn.

My planned decent was via the corridor route which brings you out at Sty Head below Great Gable.This shot below is looking back up at the ridge, still with a line of walkers crossing.

Spot the peopel on ths path below the ridge above. I can spot 4 people in total.

Looking across to Great Gable from the Corrodor Route.

Styhead Tarn in the distance. My next way point.

A 360 degree panoramic image taken along the Corridor Route. No sign of the weather lifting just yet.

Piers gill as seen in 360 degrees

Passing Sty Head Tarn you can follow Styhead Gill around the west side of Seathwaite Fell and back to Stockley Bridge.

Taylor Gill Force waterfall is worth a visit before you arrive at Stockley Bridge and onto Seathwaite Farm to round off the route Wainwright called the most interesting way to see England’s Highest Peak.

Here you can see more of My Lake District Pictures from Wasdale, Landgale and Eskdale.

The Langdale Pikes are a collection of 3 Summits in the centre of the Langdale Valley in the Lake District. Made up of Harrison Stickle, Pavey Ark and Pike o Blisco they have a distinctive classic Lakeland appearance. Once your familiar with the Langdale Pikes you’ll notice them from various locations. You can even see them from the M6 approaching Cumbria on a clear day.

I climbed the Langdale Pikes in late Summer and can recall the cars temperature gauge suggesting it was 28 degree C. Parking at the Old Dungeon Ghyll National Trust Car park you are at the foot of the Pikes and you start your ascent alongside Stickle Ghyll.

An attractive flow of water from Stickle tarn above. As I progressed some of this looked familiar, I recall a Ghyll Scrambling expedition with Secondary School where we came here probably 10 years earlier. It was winter then with Ice around and we all used wet suite to keep warm, no need for such dress today and given the temperature I could imagine myself cooling off in here later on.

As you progress up the Ghyll you eventually reach Stickle Tarn, A wonderful high-level fairly large Tarn, nestled below the magnificent Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle. For the brave amongst you there a grade 3 scramble up Pavey Ark called Jacks Rake. I plan on doing this in the future and taking 360 degree images throughout. For now though I took the easier route around the side.

Once on the summit of Pavey Ark you get a great view down over the Tarn below and the Langdale Valley. You can sit on the rocks edge and there’s a great sense of altitude at this point.

Moving onto Harrison Stickle I was pestered by really strong winds at this point, nevertheless stood on the summit with such strong wind blowing over you, It felt like I were flying for a moment, such a great view and with the cooling wind rushing over you it was a great experience.

An aerial view of Blea Tarn.

From this point I descended and returned to the Dungeon Ghyll Hotel for a cold drink then home.

Here you can see more of my Lake District Pictures from Langdale

Crinkle Crags is an attractive collection of 5 individual summits that make up this unusual looking fell. Directly opposite Bowfell and commanding a great position at the head of the Langdale Valley Crinkle Crags is well worth a visit.

There are a few option for starting your ascent, Langdale being the most popular but you can also approach from Hardknott Pass. On this visit I approached from Langdale and the typical walk down to Stool End Farm. I got the last parking space of the day and being on my Bike certainly helped in this tight space.

Crossing the river of boulders and climbing up the path in between Pike of Blisco and Great Knott the sun doesn’t get to this face at all during winter months so there was a lot of ice on the path ascending.

The skies were crisp and blue as I ascended, I knew I was in for a warming when I got to the top as this 360 Equirectangular image below shows.

Once out of the shadows you walk south with Pike of Blisco on your left and Wetherlam and Great Carrrs straight ahead over Wrynose Pass. The route to Crinkle Crags is to your right. This is the junction you come to if starting from Hardknott Pass. Turning right just before Red Tarn you eventually reach a smaller unnamed Tarn on your right, a great spot for a little break and a fine view over Crinkle Crags.

As you approach the summit ridge you are greeted with an interesting obstacle, The Bad Step. It’s a good name, honest and descriptive.

You don’t have to tackle this section like this chap below, there is a path around to the left, which is much easier.

The 5 Crinkles are laid out in front of you, the second of which is the highest point and the official summit.

From here you can see down over the Langdale Valley, The Langdale Pikes, round to Bowfell above Three Tarns and back round over the Scafell Range.

As you continue you eventually reach Three Tarns here you can keep on going and take in Bowfell or descent to either the Eskdale Valley (left) or the Langdale Valley via The Band (right).

Heading back from this point down The Band and back to Langdale rounded off a great winter walk.

Here you can see more Lake District Photography from Langdale and Crinkle Crags.

Bowfell is the Lake District 4^th highest peak. Sat at the Head of the beautiful Langdale and Eskdale Valleys. Bowfell has many options for ascent, on my first visit I chose Langdale as my starting point.

Given the vast options for walkers in Langdale there’s plenty of parking opportunities the main one being the car park at the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel.

From here you follow the road down to Stool End farm (above), which is at the foot of the ascent to Bowfell, this initial section is known as The Band. The picture below shows The Band in all its glory from Side Pike opposite the Langdale Pikes.

As you climb The Band you are treated to fine views back down the Langdale valley across to Pike O Stickle, and the old axe factory on the western slopes as seen here below.

To the southern side of Oxendale Beck in the valley below is Great Knott, Cold Pike and Bike O Blisco opposite.

The path from here is a gradual climb along a well cairned route.

Eventually the path levels out at a small plateaux, looking back over the route from Langdale below.

Crinkle Crags are to the left and can easily be accessed via the Band. At the top of the Band you reach a recess in the ridge between Crinkle Crags and Bowfell known as Three Tarns, for obvious reasons there are indeed three Tarns here fairly small in size but make for a good place to stop for a break and add some foreground interest for shots over to Scafell Pike with Bowfell Links to the right.

Below is a zoomed in shot of England’s highest Peak, Scafell Pike.

Continuing onwards up to Bowfell this next section is fairly testing and quite steep in parts.

There are interesting rock formations on the scramble up to the Summit.

As you continue to climb you pass the magnificent Great Slab. No questions why its called this. Note how small the Langdale Pikes now look and the Langdale Valley below.

You eventually reach the bouldered summit where you are greeted with fine views over the Scafell Range, Eskdale Valley, Langdale, Esk Haus and Great End. This 360 degree panorama gives you an idea of the view.

The Eskdale Valley from Bowfell Summit is shown below.

You have a few choices for descending Bowfell, on this particular occasion I descended via the same route up, I think next time though it would be worth continuing round in a loop towards Angle Tarn and back down the Cumbrian Way and into Langdale.

Bowfell’s Eastern approach has some interesting features namely The Great Slab and Bowfell Buttress. I met a guy once who claims the water from the spring at Bowfell Buttress is the finest in the Lake District. He was about 80 years old and had been drinking it for years….

Back down in the valley and heading back to the car, The Langdale Pikes have a different perspective from this viewpoint.

If you have a full day I’d recommend Crinkle Crags and Bowfell in one go. Starting and finishing from the same point.

Here you can see more details regards my Lake District Landscape Photography.

The Western Lake District is one of the most naturally beautiful parts of the Lakes in my view. Its quieter and less touristy than Keswick, Ambleside and Grasmere. Buttermere and Wasdale are the main villages in these areas and great bases for several magnificent walks in this area.

As you leave Keswick on the B5289 passing Derwent Water on your right you cross Honister Pass and drop down into Buttermere Village. The aim of my walk today was to ascend Haystacks from Buttermere. I parked up at Gatesgarth Farm and headed across the road and into the valley.

Warnscale Bottom nestled below Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. It has to be said you can start the ascent of Haystacks from Honister Slate Mine at the top of Honister Pass, this saving you a fair amount of ascent and time as I did on the previous Great Gable walk.

The path weaves its way up out of Warnscale along Warnscale Beck with Green Crag above.

The terrain here is a testament to the industrial past from the Honister Slate mines. There are broken slates everywhere and nestled in among all that slate is this lovely remote Bothy. Its real name is Warnscale Bothy but I termed it the Mining Hut and this particular scene below has proven to be very popular.

Many other local photographers have asked for the location of this shot and when I present this Lake District Print to various art gallery in the area it does generate a lot of interest, it’s a unique print.

The inside of the Bothy is pretty basic, since I took these shots I’ve had several website visitors email me suggesting they’ve spent the night in this Hut. One guy spent his Wedding Night in there, with his wife as well can you believe.

The Hut must have one of the finest views in the whole of the Lake District though, if you can see past the cobwebs.

As you make the last ascent in this area you appear on a flat ridge that takes you right to Haystacks and left to Dubs Quarry and Honister Slate mine or straight over to Brandreth and onto Great Gable.

The lead up to Haystacks summit has a generous collection of small Tarns, the first one of any size is Blackbeck Tarn moving on from here and round Green Crag, you get another glimpse of Buttermere from this great vantage point below. this delightful path brings you out to probably one of the most famous Tarns in the Lake District.

Innominate Tarn, the final resting place of Alfred Wainwright who if your not aware has inspired many a generation of walkers with his Lake District Guide Books that can only be described as works of art in there own right. Innominate Tarn is a lovely spot and well worth a short stay, there are some fine views to be seen here, Great Gable at the top of the Ennerdale Valley and Pillar opposite to name a few. Haystacks summit is not far from here.

After a brief lunch stop I ascended down into Scarth Gap. I had made good time so far and the thought of going back to the car and leaving it there seemed a shame, so I turned back from High Wax Knott and ascended what can only be described as my worst ever ascent. I missed the easy path across from Haystacks and took a less popular route round under Seat towards Gamlin End and High Crag, this section is very steep and uneasy, no real path to speak of just very loose gravel making ascending very tricky. The image below shows the path I took. Never again will I walk that same route.

This image below is taken from about 1/3rd of the way up High Crag looking back down over Seat and Haystacks. Great Gable is visible to the right with Fleetwith Pike to the left.

Ascending High Crag below.

On reaching the summit of High Crag the weather was beginning to turn. My plan was to walk across High Crag, High Stile to Red Pike then descent to Bleaberry Tarn and Sourmilk Gill to Buttermere, along the path and back to the car at Gatesgarth.

Indeed this is the route I took and on the summit of High Stile the cloud came in and visibility had completely gone.

You could just about make out ghostly figures of other walkers and extreme care was needed. I met one lady with 3 kids who were totally disorientated not knowing which way was down. A Sat Nav device is a godsend in situations like this.

On reaching Red Pike the cloud began to lift revealing Buttermere below. You can see where the name Red Pike comes from in this shot.

Once down at Buttermere a gentle scroll along the waters edge and back to the car was a pleasant end to a full days walk.

Things I learnt from this experience are to plan ahead and prepare for all eventualities, weather wise, food wise, water wise, blister wise and plan your route and I always like to have an escape route so if things take a turn for the worse you can cut your walk short and get back to base.

Here you can see more of my Lake District Landscape Photography.

Following on from my previous post about my continued support for Nurture Lakeland and Fix the Fells. I’m pleased to share with you a photo of the exhibition stand used at the Excel in London. It’s great to see my pictures printed almost life sized. Feedback from the event was great and the use of high quality imagery certainly pulled in passers by.

The image used on the display stand was taken from the Summit of Lingmoor Fell looking over the Langdale Pikes and Bowfell with the Mickleden valley below. You can find out more about this location and see other similar views on my Lake District Landscape Photography website.