| Walk: | Bowderdale, Bowderdale Head, Cautley Spout, Cautley Crag, Great Dummacks, Calders, The Calf, Hazelgill Knott, West Fell | ||
| Start Point: | Bowderdale | Grid Reference: | NY 677 046 |
| Distance: | 12.8 miles | Ascent: | 3,100 feet |
| Time: | 6.25 hours | ||
| Weather: | Dry with some sun in the morning and overcast in the afternoon. Very cold northerly winds particularly on exposed ridges. | ||
| Comments: | A large group of sixteen ignored the forecast and were rewarded with a dry day with good all round views. Above 500 metres there was a thin covering of snow particularly on eastern slopes. Thawing snow in the valley made the conditions under foot very wet on the outward journey, and an icy cold headwind on the return leg deterred any loitering. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
There is a covering of snow on the M6 as we approach the Howgills . . .
but the sun encourages us on our way as we leave Bowderdale . . .
and make our way up the valley
Some of the group seek shelter in the gully whilst the stragglers catch up . . .
and the sun is still with us as we look back down the valley . . .
before finding a sheltered spot for a morning break
Crossing to the opposite side of the beck . . .
we start to make our way round to Cautley Spout which can just be seen to the right of the crags
Gary and Keith pause for a photo . . .
looking towards West Baugh Fell
We begin to get a better view of Cautley Spout, one of the few cascade waterfalls in England . . .
and can see Cautley Holme Beck making its way to join the River Rawthey
After crossing Red Gill Beck . . .
we are in for another climb . . .
to Cautley Crags
Baugh Fell opens up in the distance
Mind your step now!
The sun highlights the rolling nature of The Howgills . . .
and Ian sneaks in a quick cuddle on Great Dummacks!
The group inspects the cairn on Calders
Not much shelter from the cold wind as we stop for lunch . . .
and the wind on The Calf is bitterly cold
Anyone brought their ice skates . . .
as we look over the frozen tarn to the Lakeland Fells
Making our way over Hazelgill Knott . . .
and West Fell we head back to the cars