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Whittle Wanderer|
Loweswater, Burnbank Fell, Blake Fell, Whiteoak Beck, Cumbria. Thu 11 Jan 2007 |
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It was a very windy drive along the M6 but when I arrived at the small car park by Maggie’s bridge Loweswater the wind didn’t seem too bad. It had been over 3 years since I ‘d walked in the area so thought a re-visit would be in order. Dub Beck, the outlet for Loweswater, was very high as I set off along the farm track towards Watergate Farm. Through the gate into Holme Wood I took the diagonal path up to the left instead of the main path that stays at low level. |
 Loweswater. |
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It was a very pleasant climb and when I emerged above the trees I had wonderful views, though very overcast. Above the trees is a fantastic track that follows the contour and is a very pleasant high level walk. I turned right and followed it to a wooden seat with probably one of the best Cumbrian views there is. I continued to the wall and gate where I stopped for a cup of coffee and some shelter behind the wall as the wind was now getting quite strong. When I set off again I headed straight up the fell following a very faint trail which was probably just a sheep track. I didn’t see any boot prints on it. As the gradient eased there were some interesting flat areas which would have been great for a tent but with no water around it would have been a long water carry. I reached the first summit of Burnbank Fell and found a path which I followed to the higher area. The wind was very strong but fairly steady so walking wasn’t too difficult. |
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Up ahead I could see Blake Fell but as I got closer the wind got stronger. I soon found myself struggling and by the time the summit shelter stones came into view I wasn’t walking, I was battling to make any progress at all. It was impossible to stand up so I stooped and staggered to the stones. I felt like I was in a boxing ring with a far superior opponent. I lay there, sheltered from the worst of the wind and listened to the full force screaming over my head. This time I’d brought my Silva pocket anemometer with me and got it out to record the wind velocity. I carefully took my gloves off, making sure they were secure, before turning the wind vane to the on position. I stuck my head above the parapet and lifted the meter up as high as I could without being blown over. The reading was set to knots but it can be changed at the touch to a button. I left it on knots and got a maximum of 76.7, converted to mph that’s a staggering 88.2 miles per hour. I can’t imagine anything surviving in a wind of that velocity. |
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I didn’t stay long, just long enough to catch my breath before plucking up the courage to continue down towards Fothergill Head. It was all I could do to stop being blown into the fence to my left. For the final descent to the pass I had the wind behind me which was a bit easier. I’d originally planned to go over Gavel Fell but decided it would be too difficult so I headed across the wet moss to the minor summit to the north. Even at this lower altitude the wind was still very strong and I recorded over 50mph at the minor cairn. |
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To get out of the battering I made a direct route straight down the steep east side of the fell towards the track above Whiteoak Beck. There was shelter and much easier walking. By the time I reached the track it was a very pleasant stroll down the valley to High Nook Farm and back to Maggie’s Bridge. |
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