A Last Minute Decision to Walk The Dodds

The forecast for this week is not looking very promising, and today is likely to be the best day on which we can fit in a walk. But there are gales forecast for the summits, so we had decided to head off on a low level walk. That was until we checked the Fell Forecast this morning, to see it had changed and the winds were predicted to be much lighter. So where can we go that is on the doorstep, doesn't take any planning, and the views are awesome? Loads of places I know, but we headed for The Dodds. I was up here a month ago with Jay, but it's a while since Husband was here, and that was in the rain.

 

 

 

After starting out from High Row, we head up the grassy slopes of Matterdale Common to Great Dodd. A few pockets of snow still remain on the eastern slopes.

From Great Dodd we take the easy route across Watsons Dodd (on the right) and then Stybarrow Dodd (on the left)

After Stybarrow Dodd, we drop down to join Sticks Pass

Looking ahead towards Glenridding valley from Sticks Pass

Looking behind us at Green side quarry (from the left),  Catsycam, Helvellyn and Raise. Sticks pass which we have just walked down can be seen on the right of the picture

And looking ahead to Ullswater as we walk around Glencoyne Head. The hanging valley of Glencoyne below us.

Breeze waits to be told to cross the stile

And poses in the cotton grass

Nearly back to the car and one last look back to Dowthwaite head

Just over 10 miles, warm, hazy but still amazing views and the bonus? We hardly saw anyone. In fact we didn't see a single person until we were well down sticks pass, over half way through the walk. All the fells to ourselves, and the smug feeling of being asked where we are staying (twice) "We live here" !!!!!