Bridgend, Deepdale Hause, Fairfileld, Hartsop above How, Cumbria. Tue 23rd Oct 2007

I left my car in the lay-bye at Bridgend on the A592 Patterdale Road. I followed the minor track to Lane Head then through the gate and up Deepdale. The track passes Deepdale Hall but their main access is from a lower road. There were more building at Wall End but nobody was about and I’m not sure what the buildings are. The weather up ahead didn’t look too good. Mart Crag was visible ahead but above was cloud. It’s the first time I’ve been this far up the valley and I wasn’t sure where the path was to the summit of Deepdale Hause. The path steepened as I climbed above the waterfalls and in to thick mist. The temperature began to fall but at least there was little wind. The map shows a sheepfold up ahead and when I reached it I sat inside to shelter from the wind that was now picking up.

St Sunday Crag from Grisedale Hause.

I continued my way up but lost the faint path in the gloom. It was difficult to know which way to go so I kept climbing. The higher I got the steeper the scree became and I realised I was too far off the path to make a safe ascent. The map shows the head of the valley as Cawk Clove and rock faces blocking the way. I had no choice but to retreat and descend to a safer level and find the path. It was very frustrating to lose all the altitude but it had to be done. I moved to the north onto easier ground and eventually a gap appeared in the mist and I could see the hause summit ahead. A steady traverse on steep grass took me to the correct path. Below me I could see a group of people struggling up with rucksacks and camping gear.

Climbing over Cofa Pike the swirling mist returned and I battled into a string headwind. I didn’t mind as I was now on familiar ground. I couldn’t see a thing as I wandered over Fairfield summit and just kept on the correct compass bearing. As I headed for Hart Crag I came across the first people of the day coming the other way.

On Cofa Pike as the cloud returns.

The sun comes out as I finish the walk.

Thick mist continued until I was part way down Hartsop above How ridge. As I got lower the weather improved and some sunshine broke through, though looking back the high summits were still covered in cloud. More young people struggled up the path with large rucksacks, presumable because this is half term holidays. When I got back to the car the lay-bye was full of cars.