Wansfell, Sour Howes & Sallows

Date : 16th March 2013
Route : 1) from Troutbeck to Wansfell   2) from troutbeck to Sour Howes & Sallows
Wainwrights : Wansfell (Baystones), Sour Howes, Sallows
Distance : Total = 14.87 km (9.24.miles)
Height Gained : Total = 800 m (2357 feet)

___________________________________________

There had been some further snow fall in the lakes over the last few days but the lower fells seemed clear. I had some free time today and wanted to tick off some of the less well known fells in the far south eastern region; namely Sour Howes and Sallows. Wainwright, in book two (far eastern fells) describes these fells as being "not strictly walkers territory" and of Sour Howes in particular he says "it is a fell with no obvious appeal to walkers, and few other than conscientious guide-book writers will visit its summit". Little was he to know that his future popularity would enthuse the 'Wainwright Bagger' to follow in his footsteps over these fells, despite his obvious lack of enthusiasm regarding their virtues. Having been somewhat less than inspired by AW's descriptions, I also intended to climb Wansfell, for which he was far more complimentary. It was therefore 2 walks today, both from the Troutbeck area. The first from High Green up to Wansfell and the second from Limefitt Park up to Sour Howes and Sallows. 

The 2 routes, both anti-clockwise

 Now regarding Wansfell, there seems to be some confusion as to exactly which peak is the official Wainwright. Most folk who climb Wansfell, particularly from Ambleside, will climb 'Wansfell Pike' and be perfectly happy to admire the view before returning, but apparently having never climbed 'Wansfell' as Wainwright described it. Because further along the ridge to the northeast from Wansfell Pike is another peak identified as 'Baystones' on the OS map, but called 'Wansfell' in Wainwright's book. This is the higher fell and looking at his pictorial map, and the altitudes he refers to, there can be no doubt that Baystones is in fact the true Wansfell according to Wainwright and therefore the fell of interest to me. To further confuse matters an area called 'Wansfell' is also indicated on the OS Map a little to the northwest of Wansfell Pike. This 'Wansfell' is not illustrated on the Wainwright map and is, according to OS, of lower altitude than both Wansfell Pike and Baystones. Like I said - some confusion. 

 The Nanny Lane Track is the main route from Troutbeck to the Wansfell region and is an easy going ascent along a good path. About halfway along its trajectory towards Wansfell Pike the path forks and I bared right towards Baystones. At this point the cloud base dropped and it started snowing.

Baystones summit (487 meters) in cloud

The ridge walk between Baystones and Wansfell Pike in low cloud and snow

Wansfell Pike summit (482 meters)

 No views today, so both peaks bagged (in case of any doubt) I headed back down along the Nanny Lane track back to the car. A short drive later I found a parking place in a lay-by near Limefitt Park holiday village. My route took me through the park to join a path which turns south to join the Garburn Pass. Shortly after joining the pass I noticed a stile in the wall on my right from which arose a vague path that seemed to head steeply in the direction of Sour Howes. I followed it upwards to a craggy area identified as 'Backstone Barrow' on the map.

The Garburn Road

Views over Windermere from Backstone Barrow

Sour Howes is up there somewhere

 An indistinct path continues upwards towards the grassy mound of Sour Howes. I was soon back in cloud. The region is largely featureless and in the absence of views today, I trudged on. From leaving the Garburn Road I didn't see anyone until I rejoined it at the end of the walk. This is clearly not a popular walkers territory.

Sour Howes summit in the mist

 On to Sallows next which is northeast from Sour Howes. I decided to take a direct route across the valley between the two fells rather than follow the wall which skirts a ridge to the western side. I couldn't see much due the low cloud but had visibility been better I would most likely have followed the ridge because I soon found myself labouring over an awkward terrain of grassy tussocks.
 

Sallows from somewhere between it and Sour Howes

  Having finally negotiated the 'terrible tussocks' I gained the ridge to the west of Sallows and was rewarded with a view over the Kentmere Fells, the cloud having lifted a little.

Sallows summit panorama East

Sallow summit panorama West

looking South over Sour Howes towards Windermere from Sallows

The Langdale Pikes 'zoomed in'  from Sallows

  I then followed a path northwards to rejoin the Garburn Pass. The clouds had finally broken giving teasing glimpses of higher fells on the walk back down. By this time Wansfell had also broken free of the cloud. Perhaps I should have done these walks the other way round.

Kirkstone Pass from the Garburn Road

Glimpses of Windermere from near the Garburn Road

Yoke and Ill Bell  from the Garburn Road

Wansfell from the Garburn Road

 The impressive looking summits of Yoke and Ill Bell, glimpsed from Sallows and the Garburn Road, convinced me that these would be the objectives for my next hike.

Beda Fell, Angletarn Pikes & Place Fell

Date : 2nd March 2013
Route : From Hause Farm, near Howtown - clockwise ridge route around the Boredale 
  valley
Wainwrights : Beda Fell, Angletarn PIkes, Place Fell
Distance : 13 km (8.07 miles) 
Height gained : 780 m (2560 feet) 
______________________________________________________________

 In early March there was a slight lull between the two main downfalls of snow in the lakes this year. Snow was still covering the highest fells but below 2000 feet seemed fairly clear. I wanted to stay lightweight today without donning heavy winter gear so decided to explore the southern Ullswater area which seemed fairly free of snow. Parking up near the foot of the Howegrain valley I headed up onto the ridge above Winter Crag and followed this southwards towards Beda Fell.

Starting point Hause farm (top right)

Parking spot by Hause Farm

A glimpse of Ullswater from the ridge to Beda Head

The Boredale valley

 Once on the ridge the going is easy and mainly over grass with height gained gradually. From Beda Fell summit there is a fine view of the less often seen eastern face of Place Fell.

Place Fell from Beda Fell summit

 Further along ridge are the craggy regions of Bedafell Knott and then Heckbeck Head.

Eastern panorama from Bedafell Knott

Western panorama from Bedafell Knott

Fairfield and St Sunday Crag from Bedafell Knott

Angletarn Pikes from Heckbeck Head

 Angletarn pikes are 2 rocky prominences amidst an otherwise grassy landscape. A bit like the Langdale Pikes, they look more impressive in profile from their southern aspects. From the north they look fairly insignificant but the views from each mini summit are excellent.   

Panorama east from the south-east Angletarn Pike

Angle Tarn from the south-east Angletarn Pike summit

Panorama west from the north-west Angletarn Pike

The Deepdale valley with Fairfield at its head, from the north-west Angletarn Pike

Brothers Water and High Hartsop Dodd from the north-west Angletarn Pike

 It is a gentle stroll  from Angletarn Pikes down to Boredale Hause before the going gets steeper on the ascent to Place Fell.

Looking down to Boredale Hause and Place Fell from Angletarn Pikes

 After the short but steep climb up Place Fell the view opens up and you realise that the summit is still a good distance further north and the 'summit' which you have actually gained is a craggy ridge called Steel Edge. 

Panorama west from Steel edge. Place fell summit far right

Grisedale valley with Helvellyn in cloud, from Steel Edge

Patterdale from Steel Edge

St Sunday Crag from Steel Edge

 An easy path follows the wide ridge towards Place Fells summit where an impressive trig point awaits. The views all round are somewhat restricted by the summit plateau and therefore a short detour to the western flanks is rewarded by a most impressive vista over Ullswater to the Helvellyn range.

Place Fell Summit

Place Fell summit panorama east

Place Fell summit view North

Glenridding from Place Fell western summit flanks

Panorama west from Place Fell western summit flanks

The descending path northwards and the lower Boredale valley

 The path back along the ridge is a grassy stroll but I took a steeper detour eastwards at Low Moss to skirt Hollinghow Gill and then back down to the road in the Boredale valley. And so that is Wainwright numbers 70, 71 & 72 for me. Still a long way to go.