Grange-in-Borrowdale, Rigg Head Hut, Dale Head, Robinson, Buttermere, Cumbria.
[ 12.2 km] Wed 02 Apr 2008

On 1 Apr 08 my senior bus pass became valid all over England. On Tue I used it to get to Preston and today I intend using it to have a one way walk and catch the bus back to the car. As the Honister bus is now running I thought that would be ideal. I drove to Grange-in-Borrowdale and left my car by the church. I’d already done the walk one way from Buttermere back to Grange with Eric in Aug 2004. As the bus out doesn’t get to Grange until 09:35 I decided to do the walk the other way and walk over the tops and catch the bus back. I left about 8:10am and set off south along the track towards Hollows Farm. It was overcast as I set off and none of the high fells were visible. There were a few hardy souls on the campsite and up in the distance I could see the distinctive profile of Castle Crag through the drizzle. I followed the stony track up through the woods towards the Honister road. At a high point on the path another path branches to the right and heads up Tongue Gill towards Rigghead Quarries. When the path reached the river it petered out, even though the map shows it continuing.

Rigg Head Climbing Hut

I crossed the river and headed straight up the steep valley side towards the quarries and climbing hut. Before reaching the hut it was good to see a mine tunnel entrance without barriers across it, though there may be some inside. I reached the hut, which is a converted quarry building, and had a look round. It’s a long time since I was here which is partly why I’m coming this way today. It has been made very secure so there was no chance of getting a peek inside. The main path was below so I found a lesser path heading up so I followed it. I reached the fence at the summit and then joined the main path. I was very near the cloud level and the slight drizzle increased. It was boggy crossing to Dalehead Tarn but after that the path is well made and good underfoot.

Unfortunately I was now in cloud and that would be it for most of the rest of the walk. I walked steadily up and arrived at the summit cairn. The wind was up but thankfully not as bad as yesterday. The cloud continued as thick as before so I pressed on and headed slightly down along Hindscarth Edge. I had my compass ready as it would be needed later. At the end of the ridge the path forks and I had to make sure I was on the descent to Littledale Edge. I got the right path and after a steep descent started a steep climb towards Robinson. A couple walked out of the mist then vanished behind me. The climb follows a fence line and at the summit I needed to turn right towards Robinson summit. When I got there a couple were sheltering behind the cairn and having something to eat.

Buttermere congestion.

I now realised I’d made a mistake about heading out from the car to catch a bus back. Apart from a short coffee stop above the Climbing Hut I hadn’t stopped once. There were two bussed back from Buttermere, one at 12:50 and another at 15:05. If I missed the first I’d have over 2 hours to wait. I decided to press on and hoped I’d get there for the first bus. The descent path towards Buttermere is not very obvious and I couldn’t find it in the cloud so I followed a compass bearing down. It was very steep in places and not very path like. I’d set off a bit too far north and didn’t realise my mistake until I dropped below the cloud.

I wasn’t too far off and soon re-joined the path. The crossing of Buttermere Moss is horribly wet, just as it was on previous crossings. There was some relief when I reached High Snockrigg and the rest of the descent path was fairly easy. At the road I was amazed by the number of cars around. I’d made good time and reached the Buttermere bus stop in plenty of time to eat my sandwiched. The bus arrived on time but my bus pass which was valid for Cumbria from yesterday didn’t register on the ticket machine. The driver knew it was valid so gave me a free ticket anyway. I sat back to enjoy the ride over Honister Pass and back to the car.