Sunday, 9th June 2013

Walk: Haweswater, Swindale, Mosedale, Gatescarth Pass, Harter Fell & High Street
Start Point: Haweswater car park Grid Reference: NY 469 107
Distance: 13.2 miles Ascent: 4,000 feet
Time: 7 hours    
Weather: Sun and light cloud in the morning but mainly overcast in the afternoon. Warm in the valleys but a little cooler on the tops (ideal for walking).
Comments: Leaving the car park in a N.E. Direction, to take the path along the south side of the lake and the Old Corpse road. This lead us past Richie Crag before descending to Swindale Head and mid morning break at 11.30. Turning south we passed Forces Falls and made for Mosedale Cottage. This cottage is a bothy and open to all who wish to use it. Continuing on we reached the flanks of Selside where we turning almost due west for Gatescarth Pass, Mardale Ill Bell and High St. Turning once again we headed East down Long Stile, Riggindale Crags (sadly no eagles) and Rough Crag. The decent of High St is quite rocky with care needed , the rest of the day was on good paths or open fell side.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Haweswater car park

 

Haweswater

 

A motley crew

 

High Street with Harter Fell on left

 

Looking down from Old Corpse Road to The Rigg with Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell and High Street in the background

 

The Old Corpse Road (Swindale to Mardale)

 

We drop down into Swindale . . .

 

following a wall down to Swindale Head . . .

 

where there is a barn covered in moss

 

Swindale

 

This makes a perfect place for our elevenses . . .

 

with good views of Swindale

 

Swindale Valley

 

We continue to follow Swindale Beck

 

Views down Swindale as we start to climb Nabs Moor . . .

 

where there are many small wild flowers

 

Mosedale Cottage comes into view

 

Checking for residents in Mosedale Cottage

 

Plaque on Bothy wall

 

Mosedale Cottage standing all alone

 

Looking down to Mosedale Cottage from Selside Brow

 

We eventually reach Gatescarth Pass

 

Haweswater from Harter Fell

 

Harter Fell top

 

Our route to Mardale Ill Bell

 

What can one say!

 

High Street at last

 

Our route back in the foreground . . .

 

and again

 

Looking down from our descent with Haweswater in the distance

 

Deep in concentration . . .

 

and it was needed

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