I managed a reasonably early getaway on Friday but still arrived at the M6 in time to be caught up in a major snarl-up near J12. After being backed off the slip-road by the Feds I lost a lot of time detouring cross-country to J14 so it was still a race to get to J40 before mid-afternoon. After a stop for a quick bite at the Penrith Little Chef I set off again for Howtown and eventually parked up near the church at the top of the twisting road:
The Church of St. Peter, Martindale
With Mike not due to arrive for an hour or so I grabbed the camera, stowed the rest of the gear in the car and strolled up the easy slopes of Hallin Fell. I started off in warm sunshine but within minutes it was hemping it down and I was thoroughly soaked. No matter, I spent a while at the top rain-dodging and taking a few pics. I'd imagine that on a clear day the views from the top would be excellent but this wasn't such a day. I did have the place to myself, though, which was unexpected as the fell-top is usually a popular place:
Rain over Martindale
Looking along Ullswater towards Pooley Bridge
Looking across Ullswater towards a distant Little Mell Fell
Moody skies over Angletarn Pikes
The Obelisk atop Hallin Fell
On the way back down the rain eased a bit and the southwards view opened up. My camera-skills don't do the vista any justice whatsoever:
Martindale, Boredale and surrounding fells
A few minutes after I'd returned to the car Mike signalled his arrival with a two-fingered salute. After a more customary handshake I changed into proper (dry) walking attire and we shouldered our contra-lightweight loads to head for the hills.
Passing the church we skirted crags and waded through sodden bracken along a thin trod that led towards Gowk Hill. The rain had set in and Mike was soon regretting his decision to wear shorts. At the first wall we stopped for a breather before nipping up to the neat top of Pikeawassa, the summit of Steel Knotts:
Pikeawassa
Me "bagging" Pikeawassa
Despite him not being a "bagger", Mike seemed pleased to get to the top...
or maybe he was taking the piss out of me
Back at the wall Mike started acting a bit strange. I think he needs professional help:
"Look! Up there! Two Swedish blondes!"
From the wall the view up the valley was excellent with clouds grazing the fell-tops and ridges:
Looking over Martindale and into Bannerdale
We continued along the path towards Gowk Hill, skirting Brownthwaite Crag and heading for the derelict buildings at the watersmeet at the head of Fusedale. After squelching around for a while we found a fairly well-drained level area and set up camp for the night as the rain started to ease. We shot the breeze as evening fell and the midges rose... there was much talk of Sudocrem, Swedish blondes, sea-kayaks and work (or lack thereof) - basically, we put the world to rights. After watching the clouds obscure a fine sunset we retired for the night:
The first pitch
Mike's crapper 🙂
To be continued...
