Fountains Fell, Yorkshire Dales
19 February 2006
So, time to leave the Lake District and return to London, but also time to stop
off en route for another walk. The weather was gorgeous with clear blue
skies and the forecast suggested we would do better to stay north as it was
overcast and wet further south. After a great deal of dithering, I finally made
my mind up as the M6 hove into view to go straight across and on to the
Yorkshire Dales and Fountains Fell. Last summer George and I visited
Pen-y-Ghent, and now we would visit the fell on the other side of the pass.
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-095750_small.jpg)
Fountains Fell from the road
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-100715_small.jpg)
Yep, that's the one we want
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-101925_small.jpg)
As we ascended the frozen path, the cloud lingered frustratingly on Pen-y-Ghent
and Ingelborough (behind on the left)
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-105202_small.jpg)
George and Stephen at the impressive cairn next to the Pennine Way, but not the
summit of the fell
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-105308_small.jpg)
That lies a few hundred metres away, on the horizon here
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-110408_small.jpg)
A squat cairn marks the summit, 668 metres above sea level, with the cloud
continuing to build and intermittently plunging us into mist
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-112300_small.jpg)
Retracing our steps, we cross the wall out of the Malham Tarn Estate
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-114658_small.jpg)
Within a few minutes, the cloud suddenly lifted and clear, revealing the
glorious panorama I had hoped for in selecting Fountains Fell for this
morning's walk.
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19panFountainsFell_small.jpg)
A panoramic shot of Pen-y-Ghent and Plover Hill
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-115855_small.jpg)
Three cars lined up - are they enjoying the view too?
![](../../images/2006/2006-02/2006-02-19-122155_small.jpg)
A last look back at Fountains Fell as we return towards Settle
In total, 5.4km, 276 metres of ascent, 1 hour 55 mins (including 29 minutes
stopped)
Lake District long weekend, February 2006
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