Bonscale Pike and Arthur's Pike

14 November 2008

With the weather forecast predicting the best weather in the northeastern fells, Stephen and George travelled almost as far northeast in the Lake District as one can go, to the south shore of Ullswater for a visit to Bonscale Pike and Arthur's Pike from near Howtown.


We parked by Martindale new church, from where we walked down to Howtown


A clean and fluffy George as we begin the descent to Howtown (an unusual start to a hill walk)


A few of the buildings of Howtown and part of Ullswater, under the flank of Bonscale Pike


Bonscale Pike, left, and Loadpot Hill


The house of Mellguards as we prepare to cross Fusedale Beck and begin the ascent


Climbing at last, a look back across Fusedale to Steel Knotts


Ascending under White Knotts


The path was quite steep but very easy underfoot


We reach the summit plateau and look towards the summits of Bonscale Pike and Arthur's Pike


Approaching Bonscale Pike


The two impressive towers below the summit of Bonscale Pike, together with part of Ullswater. The other hills have their heads in the cloud, and I'm glad we're on the edge of the Lake District.


From the same point looking northeast, showing that the hills of the Lake District have ended. The Pennines are out there, but hidden in cloud.


A cheerful George as we approach a ruined barn and sheepfold as we cross the valley of Swarth Beck


Near the summit of Arthur's Pike is a cairn, perhaps less impressive than the towers of Bonscale Pike, but still commanding a fine view


We took the path along the edge of the hillside for a while, above Whinny Crag, then headed back towards the main path, in a Bill Bryson moment heading for another "cairn" on the OS map. Big stones, and some hint in the ground formation of antiquity, greeted us.


On the main path, heading towards Penrith, and the Pennines are starting to emerge from the clouds


Above Barton Park we turned sharply back and continued the descent on a long and damp path back towards Lakeland


Our second crossing of Swarth Beck, whose name after a rapid descent of the fellside has transformed slightly into Swarthbeck Gill


Heading along the lake towards Hallin Fell and the car


A clapper bridge across Fusedale Beck


As we make our way back to Martindale, compare George now to how he was three hours ago on the same path!


But my hair has been affected too - the photo doesn't quite do it justice, but every strand is standing straight up!


Zoom in for more detail, or see map in larger window: Ordnance Survey | Open Street Map | Google Maps

An interesting little outing, with hopefully the best of the weather around. Total distance 12.3 km and 614 metres of ascent in 3 hours 27 mins

 

 

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Unless otherwise stated, all images copyright (c) Stephen and Lucy Dawson