Roughton Gill, Knott, High Pike, Cumbria. Wed 15 Dec 2004

I picked Eric up at 6:15 and headed north up the M6 in horrible driving conditions of rain, lots of lorries and darkness. As we left at junction 41 just north of Penrith a little daylight began to filter through but the drive NW along the B5305 was still difficult. We reached Caldbeck and followed the lanes to Nether Row where we parked the car. It had stopped raining but everywhere was sodden and it had obviously been raining hard and for quite some time.
The weather was surprisingly mild as we followed the track west then south up Dale Beck and Roughton Gill. The well-made track was the main access to the mines in Roughton Gill and still many spoil heaps cover the valley bottom and high up some of the slopes. As we climbed the main Gill a couple of old mine levels came into view and we peered curiously into one, wondering how far it went.
We were still in shade but above was clear sky. Because of the low winter sun we didn't reach the sun's rays until having climbed the full height of the gill. We then emerged on to Great Sca Fell. The views were wonderful but Skiddaw still had it's own veil of cloud. We paused on the summit of Knott to again take in the views and look across to Carrock Fell where the mist had swirled the previous week.

Boyd and Eric on the summit of Knott.
In the distant right is Carrock Fell.

Onto the east then north we arrived once again at the Lingy Hut and timed it just right for our lunch stop.
Following the Cumbria Way north we went over High Pike and easily down the track back to Nether Row.

 Eric on High Pike in a brief patch of mist.

St Kentigern, Caldbeck.

St Kentigern interior.