Our Second Attempt At Ullscarf

Last Friday we set off to attempt Ullscarf for the second time.  It is the only fell to have defeated us previously, we had attempted it a week after Bess died but turned back when the weather looked like it was worsening so thought it was fitting to do it on another anniversary (our 5th wedding).

The route we had used previously was very boggy so we decided to attack it from another angle.

We parked at the car park at Dobgill Bridge & were straight onto the path (Crag was happy as it was a 100% off lead walk for him).

The first section was through the forest where there has been a lot of felling due to diseased Larch trees.

Andy looked enviously at this pile wondering if we could roll it down the hill to the car!

There are some waterfalls on Dob Gill

And we are out of the trees and at Harrop Tarn

Some dodgy boardwalk (we have reported it!)

And out onto the open fell, we are aiming for the rocks in the distance (Standing Crag).

Looking back down at the forest we had come up through

We are forced due to the boggy nature up here to walk in a right angle to Standing Crag.

This fence will take us to the summit.  We had followed this man and his dog all the way from the car park but he has turned to head for Watendlath Fell

A couple of people are behind us having come up via the fence

The fence veers off to the right, but the easiest way up looks to be to the left.

Blea Tarn

Now the navigation error, we have got around Standing Crag & had planned to rejoin the fence but it was a bit higher than us & we decided to contour around – MISTAKE

We are distracted by what looks like snow (it can’t be)

The summit is on the horizon (or so we think), so we head for it (over some very undulating ground)

Crag trying to decide if it’s too deep for him (he didn’t risk it)

We reached the summit only to realise we were not on the summit of Ullscarf.  This fell seems determined to beat us, but we weren’t going to let it.  So with memory map switched on we marched to the correct summit of Ullscarf (726m)

And to prove it (we are at the red circle)

The mist just catching the top of Pillar

The fence that is marked on the map isn’t there but a few of the posts still remain.

A bit hazy but Bassenthwaite Lake & Derwent Water are visible (as is Windermere to the SE)

We descend via the fence line which proves a far shorter & easier route than the one we took up.

Blea Tarn again

Cottongrass only grows on very boggy ground & this whole fell range seems to be boggy.

Apart from our unintentional detour to the summit it was a there & back walk.  Here we are at Harrop Tarn again.

And the last steep descent through the forest.  There has been work to the path as stones have been laid but it was the first time we had come across a path that felt great going up but rather slippy & adverse cambers to come back down.

Anyway Ullscarf it may have taken us two attempts but we can mark you as done & know it is very unlikely we will walk up you again!

As for our Wainwrights that is the Central Fells done, apart from Castle Crag (which we are saving for last) we now only have Eastern, Far Eastern & Southern Fells to complete & there are 30 of those.  This shows the ones we have yet to cross off.

Andy’s Big 60th Birthday Weekend

I knew Karen was planning a surprise for my 60th. The only thing I was told was that I would get 1 hour to pack. I had already been banned from the spare bedroom and the fridge in the garage (the drinks fridge!!). On Friday afternoon I was given the hours notice, I was then sent to my bedroom and told not to come out for 15 minutes, I still have no clue on what is happening.
We get into the car and head south down the A595, I now guess we are staying somewhere in Cumbria and Karen tells me we are not camping. We head into Eskdale and we pass Boot and there is only 3 places left, one of those is Hollins Farm campsite, we cant be staying there as we are not camping, but we turn in! I then spot Malcolm, one of our walking group and think surely she has not planned a walking weekend, we had had a big walk in the week.

We leave the car and go towards a group of pods and I see our pod, with this great poster Karen had made up. It is at this point everyone pops out of their pods, the video below shows the complete surprise I had and my Stan Laurel impression. What on earth are Bernie, Lesley, Ian, Joyce, Dawn, Linda and Billy doing here, they DO NOT do camping. I think my head turns 360 degrees as I then see Lisa, Stuart, Andy, Cheryl, Julie, Paul, Eireann, Andy, Libby(amazing effort from those 2 as I know it is a 9 hour drive from Pembrokeshire), Malcolm, Dunny, Colin, Gabby and Brian.




It had rained a bit at home that afternoon but it was torrential in Eskdale , the roads going over were partially flooded. Some of the group stayed in tents and had great fun erecting them.

Lesley sheltering from the weather.



Here comes Stanley!

Gobsmacked.

Opening a present, thanks Kevin.

That's how it works.

We adjourn to the pub for dinner and a few drinks, Ian is peckish and had a pudding.


Quite a fashion statement from Lesley.



The banner is hung between the trees, thanks Bernie.

If anyone else mentions Harry Potter they are in trouble.

On Saturday the plan was for everyone to do their own thing. Peter had now turned up having driven up from Manchester this morning. 8 went on La'al Ratty to Ravenglass, 6 walked up Sca Fell, Karen took Crag for a walk with Lisa, Stuart & Katie, the rest of us went to the Woolpack Inn to watch the Lions rugby match, 10.45 in the pub can make it a long day.
The great white hunter makes an entrance, love the socks Bernie.







The banner picture of me I was aged somewhere between 12 and 15 but hey not changed a jot!!



Lisa and Stuart crossing the stepping stones to get to Stanley falls.

Stanley falls.



The pod area.

Crag is happy there is a stream running through the campsite.

That's why they are called squeeze stiles.

Very ladylike.



Cooking on the bbq, thanks Libby and Andy for your help, mind you it was the warmest place to be as the only rain we saw was when we were cooking. After the bbq we adjourned to the pub, again!



Dunny is a bit concerned about the scissors.







Everyone made their way home on Sunday morning and I cant thank them enough, especially Lisa and Stuart who had booked their holiday to the USA and changed it to be there.

My biggest thanks has to be to Karen, you all know how much I LOVE and ADORE her. The effort Karen put into this was amazing and keeping it secret was awesome.
On Monday I was presented in the Robbo with this wonderful cake. It is in the shape of a tent and some happy campers in the tent, thanks guys. It tastes good as well.







Yes that is a bum sticking out.







My birthday presents, boys toys, a 5ton hydraulic wood splitter and saw horse with a chain saw bracket.



On my birthday Karen and I went into Whitehaven for lunch and back to the Robbo for a couple, yes only a couple. We have had a wonderful but very full on few days.