Walk : Middle Fell (1,908ft) from Greendale
Date : 15th February 2016
Weather : Cloudless blue sky, freezing cold @ 2°C
Distance : 3 miles round trip
Difficulty : 1 - 2 Steepness is the only difficulty on this walk
(1=easy 5=hard)
Which
area of Lakeland is this walk situated?
Terrain
Overview
Walk
Overview
My
first walk of 2016, due to work commitments and bad weather. The forecast was
spot on with dry bright and sunny
conditions
but freezing cold. Great to be out on the fells again
The
classic view as I approach Greendale by the side of Wast
Water
Follow
the Lake Road and take a left turn that is sign posted for Greendale. At the
end of the road there is a row of
houses
with ample free parking space on a grass verge
The
object of today’s walk – Middle Fell showing the south ridge which I will be
following
From
the parking area the grass path heads off parallel with Greendale Gill
The
shot makes you think it was high summer, I can assure that it wasn’t. It was
bitterly cold as I pause to look back
towards
Wast Water and the Screes
Keep
following the grass track till it eventually turns in to a stone path. At this
point, branch off right and follow the track
as
it climbs steeply initially. The stone path runs parallel with the Gill and can
be used to get to Greendale Tarn
Looking
back from further on up the path across Wast Water to
Illgill Head and The Screes
The
path swings right to get on the South ridge proper. Its steep, but very easy to
follow
Looking
back down the Wasdale valley. Across Greendale Gill the lower slopes of Buckbarrow
Buckbarrow
Further
up the ridge now and a view of Seatallan (left) and
Haycock (right)
The
ridgeline path passes quite easily through a rocky outcrop area – here looking
across to the Scafells
The
summit of Middle Fell – absolutely stunning
It
was absolutely freezing on top but worth it for the views
A
360-degree view from the summit
I
had the great pleasure of chatting for some while with this chap and his
companion Holly. A veteran fell runner
recovering
from injury and taking time out to enjoy the scenery at a more sedate pace. He told
me a story about
veteran
runner Jos Naylor (a fell running legend in these here parts) who is still
running at the age of 80
A
close up of nearby Yewbarrow with Great Gable in the
background
A
close up of Mickledore separating the two Scafells
Looking
down the length of Wast Water with Illgill Head and Whinn Rigg
towering above
Looking
West out to the Irish Sea
Great
Gable
Back
down in the Wasdale Head Inn and an excellent pint of Wasdale Gold
A
lingering look back at dusk across Wast Water
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