The Western Fells

Troutbeck Melody.. 13th May 2007

Wansfell Pike - Baystones - Sour Hows - Sallows - Troutbeck Tongue
12.5 Miles walked - 3671ft ascended

I had hoped to do a round that finished with me coming off 'The Tongue' and carrying onto Stoneycove Pike and down Hartsop Dodd, being picked up at the phone box. Up to coming off Sallows I was feeling very tired but hopeful, that was until the heavens started to open. I decided to call it a day as my heavy wet boots were not looking forward to yet another hard climb. The rain in the end was just drizzle, but it had got very cold and I have long since learnt that the hills are still going to be there tomorrow.

The first part of my walk took me through Ambleside, and along the road that people
take to go see Stockghyll Waterfalls. I decided to miss out the falls today,
but will have to get back there soon and have a look. The view is of Snarker Pike.. not that you can see it.

As you come over the first of many, many styles you see this lot. The photo doesn't show it
but the path is literally feet from these animals, and they ain't quite as small as they look.

I had packed a lot of liquids in the expectation of a very long day.. carrying them up here was hard work.
Amblesdie below.. thankfully no rain.

No way of showing this, but of all the hills I have stood on, up to now Wansfell gives you the best view of Windermere.
You can see the whole thing.. and it's quite amazing just how big it really is.

Snarker pike and Red Screes in the clouds.. at this point I really thought the whole day was going to be a wash out.

From Wansfell Pike looking across to Baystones (the true top of Wansfell)

Jay looking rather tired after our quickish ascent.

Wansfell Pike

The area in the forground is called 'The Hundreds' on the map, the hill in the background is Sour Hows.
If you look at the clump of trees half way up the hill, on the right hand side, I have a pic later on
looking back down to them.

It was much further from the 'Pike' to Baystones than I had some how imagined. This is looking
back to Wansfell Pike.

Onto Baystones from about half way.

Boring picture again looking back to Wansfell Pike... except.. the wet area you see gave me one of the biggest
frights of my time walking the hills. Had it been a case of walking through 4-6 inch deep mud, that would have
been easy.. thats not what you get here.. what happens is you walk on what feels like a trampoline... the WHOLE
ground bounces up and down.. and then if you stand still.. it feels like you start to sink..

Jay waiting for me at Baystones

'Pets Quarry' on the side of Snarker Pike

My route off Baystones over 'The Hundreds' back towards Troutbeck using Nanny Lane.

It really is a lane, although is some places nearer the top it is a LOT less flat and easy.
Looking back up towards Baystones

Down towards Troutbeck.. Jay wishing I would stop taking pics and just walk...

approaching Troutbeck

Looking towards High Green (Troutbeck)

Looking across Troutbeck, Limfitt Park is center of picture with my ascent route visable
left of the trees that are center picture.

Troutbeck Church

Looking down on that bunch of tree I talked about from my ascent up Sour Hows.. this was hard work.

From further up a great view of Troutbeck, and if you look center of picture you can see Nanny Lane snaking up
and then off to the right.

Diner time on Sour Hows Summit, it had been really warm for the best part of an hour, and I sat here in just a t-shirt.

Now being 1300ft above sea level the only animals you expect to meet up here are sheep, more sheep..
and maybe a quick look at a rabbit or squirrel as it runs off.. this isn't what I was expectiing.

They were THE most UnFriendly looking cows I have ever seen..

and the boss came from over the hill once these two had spotted us.. not a happy bunny!

Now tell me it don't look like it's about to charge?? We didn't hang about..

I remember walking this path on the way to Yoke, Ill bell and Frostwick..

Looking back to Sour Hows from Sallows

Across Garburn pass to Castle Crag from Sallows

another rather flat boring summit.. but they all have to be done.

I don't have to tell Jay anymore.. it's like he knows this is the Summit (Sallows) and to go sit down..
he actually tries to climb up piles of stones now.. mad dowg...

This little monument is found at the bottom of the path on the Garburn pass where you go either
right back down to Kentmere, left to Troutbeck or straight on up to Yolk.
NOTE HERE PLEASE: If you come off Sallows and get to the Garburn pass they have errected a new fence.
Nothing much to worry a person, but if you have a big dog with you.. you will struggle..
we found a spot further on to squeeze under.

When most people do this circuit they walk the long way back along the Garburn Road all the way back to Limfitt.
From Sean's web site I had taken a route that took me down over an area marked Miles Gill on the map.
Again this is NOT an easy place if you have a large dog, lots of fences with no gates or styles, but the route saves
you a lot of time, and has some amazing views. Ohh and it's wet. very wet!

further down the route

when you finally meet the track leading to The Tongue there are even more great falls.

and some big puddles for Jay to play in...

Oh.. and we met another of the wifes relatives.. right by the side of the track..

Troutbeck Tongue

From a third of the way up a view of Troutbeck Park, once owned by Beatrix Potter of course.

From the front end of The Tongue the view back down the valley towards Troutbeck. It was at this point that things changed.
The sky got black and I could tell that within a few minutes we were going to be getting very wet.

Troutbeck Tongue's summit with an unhappy Jay as it was just starting to rain heavily.
As I said at the start, the hills are always there tomorrow, and although the walk back to Troutbeck Church
was probably the same distance, I really did not fancy being on top of Stoneycove Pike in the middle of a thunder storm..
time to go home

I took the route along Ing Lane, but had a chance of passing through Troutebeck Park.
I can certainly see why Beatrix bought this place, it really is quaint, and so remote without being on top of any where.
Final thoughts

These four fells are some of the smallest in the whole lakes, they are 4 out of 7 of the smallest in the Far Eastern region.
Don't let that fool you if you choose to walk this route, I climbed higher than Scafell on this walk and believe me,
today is the day after and my knees and legs know it. It's a nice walk, but it is very tiring and very long.

Please do email us if you have any comments. Chris

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