Walk Description

As it had been my birthday earlier in the week, we had arranged to meet up with Les and Kev for a long weekend at Caldbeck.  This was the second of our three walks and was a mammoth peak bagging exercise.  My walk was a little shorter than everybody else's but I still managed to visit 5 new Wainwrights.
After a delicious cooked breakfast at the Oddfellows Arms in Caldbeck, we drove along the quiet fell road to Longlands, where we were lucky enough to find 2 parking spaces.  We followed the grassy bridleway up to the summit of Longlands Fell (Wainwright number 1).  As we climbed higher we could see Criffel raising its head above the mist and cloud on the Solway Firth. 
Steve and Kev had decided that they were going to bag as many fells as possible today, although they had kindly agreed that I didn't need to climb every one.  We parted paths at the col beneath Lowthwaite Fell.  Steve, Kev and Les climbed Lowthwaite Fell whilst I contoured around it and began my ascent of Little Sca Fell.  They eventually rejoined me for a short while before they left the Little Sca Fell path and headed over to Brae Fell. 

I continued to slowly climb to the summit of Little Sca Fell.  I would have liked to have stayed with them but realised that my version of today's planned walk was going to be long enough for me without adding an extra Wainwright or 2.  It wasn't long before I reached the cairn and shelter that mark the summit of Little Sca Fell. 

Looking back I could see Steve, Kev and Les on Brae Fell and I decided that rather than wait for them, I would push on to Great Sca Fell.  Great Sca Fell has a small and almost insignificant cairn on its summit.  This was my Wainwright numer 2.  As the others had just reached Little Sca Fell I thought that I would take a little to explore part of the area between Great Sca Fell and Knott.  Whilst I was walking across the mossy and peaty ground, some sixth sense made me look down at the ground.  Hidden in the grass almost at my feet was a snipe.  I managed to get one photograph before it flew off. 

I then set off to climb Knott. I could see Steve and Kev in the distance and was determined to reach the summit of Knott before they caught up with me. I made it, but only with a few steps to spare, Steve was right there behind me when I reached the summit cairn.  This was Wainwright number 3.  We stayed on Knott for a little while, drinking in the extensive views, having lunch and finally making our minds up as to whether or not we would go to Great Calva.  The weather was great, we had plenty of time left and therefore we decided that we would go to Great Clava, even though it meant losing a lot of height before we started the climb to the summit of Great Calva.  I was really glad when I finally reached the summit as I had found the final ascent hard going.  It was good to sit and have a rest whilst I had my second lunch.  This was my fourth Wainwright of the day.  After a refreshing rest, I had a good look around and took in the extensive views.  It was now time to leave Great Calva , however instead of retracing our steps straight back to Knott, we made a small detour to visit a couple of pools and then contoured around Knott and eventually picked up the path back to Great Sca Fell.  This was our second visit there today. 

Just to the west of Great Sca Fell, I could now see my last fell of the day.  Meal Fell was just a down and an up from here.  It didn't take long to reach its narrow summit (Wainwright number 5) and then it was down to Trussmador and Burntrod Gill.  We spent a little while here soaking up the late afternoon sun before deciding on the last leg of today's walk.  Steve, Les and Kev were going to finish the day with one more Wainwright - Great Cockup.  I felt as though I had done enough and left them to their final ascent whilst I walked through the wonderfully named Trusmador. 

 
Eventually we all met up and walked back to the car together.  We had had a thoroughly enjoyable day and were ready for a pint or two at the Oddfellows Arms. 

 

 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.