Going over to Joan's on Sunday tempted us with the Lorton Fells. Sitting in her conservatory watching the evening light on the heather was really nostalgic. We decided that we would head that way again today. The forecast was for a fair amount of cloud. They were wrong :-)
As usual, we had made up our own route and tried to follow paths which were likely to be quiet. We were right :-)
 |
| We left the car at Swinside and instead of heading straight up, we followed the intake wall, round below Dodd and Whiteside |
 |
| Damp underfoot and very wet bracken, but the sun was already really warm. T shirts and shorts weather (well for me at least) |
 |
| Foulsyke comes into view so we give Joan a wave. She would have joined us today, but for a couple of reasons it wasn't possible. |
 |
| As we leave the Intake wall to head up Whin Ben, Melbreak and the head of Crummock water can be seen beyound Lanthwaite Green Farm. The pointy bit on the Skyline is Red Pike. |
 |
| Looking up Gasgale Gill as we make the steep ascent. The heather is really at it's best just now |
 |
| Breeze is up and down countles times, while we carefully pick our way and scramble in places, she just leaps from one place to another. |
 |
| By now it's really warm - hard work! |
 |
| Coledale Hause at the top of Gasgale Gill |
 |
| The amazing Dog Boots, can't recommend them highly enough |
 |
| Did I say it's steep? |
 |
| Finally we reach the top and stop for a bite to eat. That's one bite for us and about a dozen for the midges. We didn't stop for long! |
 |
| From the top of Whiteside we headed North and walked down the heathery slope towards Dodd (seen here ahead) |
 |
| We had passed one fell runner and one lone lady on the way up between Whin Ben and Whiteside. This was the closest we cam to anyone else all day! |
 |
| Finally we cross Hope Beck and follow the path back along Swinside to the car. We had only walked 5.5 miles, but in the heat and with the steep climb - along with the fact that none of us are very fit as we haven't managed much walking this summer - it felt like we'd had a tough walk! We were all in agreement that we had definitely earned a Lucini's ice cream on our way back down Winlatter. |
 |
| In truth she only had the last inch or so, I ate most of it! |
