Lake District Walks
Hindscarth & Robinson
Date: 16th March 2007
Distance: 10.2 miles
Ascent: 3542 feet
Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
With: On my own
Start Grid Ref: NY231193
Walk Summary:
Another windy day saw me buffeted from one summit to the other on a route that included Robinson, Hindscarth and Dale Head.
Route Summary: Chapel Bridge - High Snab Bank - Robinson - Littledale Edge - Hindscarth - Dale Head - Dalehead Tarn - High Spy - Maiden Moor - Hause Gate - Chapel Bridge
Pictures:
1. Dale Head
2. Littledale and Robinson
3. Robinson from High Snab Bank
4. The Newlands Valley
5. Fleetwith Pike
6. Littledale Edge and the Honister Pass
7. Hindscarth Edge
8. The top of Dale Head
9. High Spy
10. Dale Head from High Spy
11. The top of High Spy
12. Maiden Moor
13. Cat Bells from Maiden Moor
14. Derwent Water
Walk Detail: I set off very early for the Lakes hoping I would catch some reasonable weather before the forecasted rain came along. After the long drive down the narrow road to Little Town I was pleased to see that the cloud level was still above all the prospective fells on my route.
The initial climb of the day up High Snab Bank was very steep and quite tiring but after that there was a lovely walk along the ridge before a few scrambles. Not far from the top the cloud got lower and by the time I made it to the summit plateau I could see nothing. In itself this was not too bad as I had enjoyed the views on the way up. The issue was the strength of the wind which caused me problems from this point all the way round to my descent off Maiden Moor.
Along Littledale Edge I briefly got below the cloud and indeed it lifted off the top of Hindscarth only for it to close in on me again as I approached the summit. It was at this point that the wind, gusting from all directions, seriously began to worry me as it was knocking me about quite easily. Fortunately I made it from Hindscarth to Dale Head unscathed and somewhat strangely the summit of the latter was one of the calmest places on the entire walk.
Rather than the steep direct route to Dale Head Tarn I set off south for Honister Pass before contouring round at about the 2000ft mark. Coming back under the clouds to see Dale Head Tarn and the whole of High Spy was one of the highlights of the walk. After having a quick snack in the shelter of the sheepfold next to the tarn I met a couple who’d walked up the valley but decided to turn back.
As the top of High Spy was clear and I wanted to also visit Maiden Moor I decided to press on. I got a real buffeting on the next stage of the walk and opted to stay away from the precipice of Eel Crags where you could hear the wind thundering against the cliff face. I only just got some views from High Spy’s two tops as the cloud got lower again.
After heading out to Maiden Moor’s underwhelming summit I found a nice sheltered spot on the north east flank as the path descends steeply to Hause Gate. Here I enjoyed my soup along with an excellent view of Cat Bells and Derwent Water. Deciding against visiting Cat Bells again I descended the ridge from Hause Gate back to Little Town.
If it had not been for the wind I would have really enjoyed this walk despite most of the summits been covered in cloud. Ironically I probably got round quicker because of the weather because I did not stop as much to take photos and enjoy the views. Obviously I will have to visit these summits again.
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