Overnight the wind dropped and by morning there was a nice sky and a colourful sunrise. I packed up camp and headed west to Casterfell Hill. I've been along this route a few times before but never known it as wet underfoot. This is strange as there's not been much rain in recent weeks. On the plus side the weather report for low grey cloud was wrong and it was partly cold sun and nice views. As I walked over Belt Howe and Winterscleugh I could see the rest of my walk over the summits across the Borrowdale valley to my left.

pre-sunrise over the Howgill Fells

from Jeffrey's Mount looking down the Lune valley

another view down the Lune Valley

Borrowdale

I was apprehensive about crossing the distant Whinfell Common as the last time I was there I couldn't find much of a path. Approaching Whinash I saw another walker coming towards me. At the Breasthigh Road (which is a track) I turned left to descend to the valley bottom. It was disappointing to see ruts in the track side which had been scoured out by trials motorbikes. I'd also seen their tracks over the tops. I descended to Borrow Beck and crossed it at the huge stepping stones. As I reached the far side a group of mountain bikers (cyclists) were following behind.

The river was quite deep so they all carried their bikes over as they hopped across the stones. I followed the track up to the gate by the main A6 road but turned left just before to follow a path steeply up to Ashstead Fell. My apprehension continued as my route over Whinfell Common seemed such a long way off. Earlier I'd seen a couple walking up ahead. As I descended I came across them sat in a sheltered cove and tucking into their packed lunch. We exchanged a few words and I continued. Over Mabbin Crag I managed to negotiate some Pine trees without too much trouble. I was walking the other way the last time I was here and had problems getting round the trees.

Borrow Beck stepping stones

Ashstead Fell

I was thankful to emerge into open ground and a reasonable path by the wall that passes to the south of Castle Fell. A steady climb took me to the top of Whinfell Beacon which earlier in the day had seemed such a long way off. I also met the lone walker I'd seen earlier in the day as our opposite direction routes crossed again. His greeting was 'hello again' I followed the path to the repeater station on the ridge summit. Behind it was a mast which may be part of the same complex. At the surfaced access road a car came up behind. I was expecting an official vehicle connected with the station but it was an estate car with a folded down hang glider on the roof.

I passed the main buildings and continued along the road to the second mast. The hang glider had unloaded his equipment and had just parked his car. After the mast I followed a faint path to a wall which I crossed to gain access to Greyrigg Common. I'd planned to camp somewhere near the summit but first had to find water. A wet rushy area descended to the south and soon formed a gorge. I left my pack on the fell and descended with my water bag to the stream.

Repeater station on Whinfell Common

wide view of the Lune Valley from Greyrigg Pike

The water was surprisingly clear so with the bag topped up I returned to my pack and continued up the steep fell with extra load. Eventually the gradient eased and the trig post came in to view. I continued past it to find a place to camp with a view down into the deep valley and River Lune. I didn't have far to go to find a good spot and enjoyed the views as I put the tent up. I hadn't been in the tent long before the cloud descended and surrounded the tent in low visibility.