Author Topic: Great How and the other Castle Rock  (Read 2053 times)

mike knipe

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Great How and the other Castle Rock
« on: 23:43:47, 22/04/08 »
This little expedition was part of a day of explorations which also included a visit to a graveyard, trying to spot Ospreys and sitting in the warm sun in a pub garden in Braithwaite drinking shandies.
Me, Brian and Bruno set off from a Thirlspot layby and, ignoring the "footpath closed" sign, we followed the permissive path (which wasnt permissive today) around the base and up to the summit of Great How. Great Hw is a wooded lump sitting lumpily at the foot of Thirlmere and provides quite a good ariel view of the ;lake, it being so steep and all.
On the top we were greeted by a very loud robin who sat on a branch and was eventually hand-fed on chocolate cake - which is what he appeared to want. We also spotted (from above) an osprey who was patrolling the lake, but eventually headed off towards Borrowdale.
The path is followed back to the foot of the hill and then above the lakeshore to the dam - where we had a look at various bits of water engineering and plaques to various Manchester councillors who got the credit for building the dam.
We then headed across the road for the rocky lump of castle Rock of Triermain - which was occupied by half a dozen rock climbers.
This gives an easy but very steep climb with some optional very easy scrambling or some equally optional scary rock climbing - to a fine viewpoint with comfy grass overlooking St Johns in the Vale. It seems possible to climb on to the Dodds and Helvellyn from this point - but we went for a pint instead.
4 short miles after previous efforts - but 1100 feet of ascent (which is quite a lot for 4 miles, really) - in fine and warm spring weather...
« Last Edit: 23:49:03, 22/04/08 by mike knipe »
Some kind of happiness is measured out in miles

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KIDSTYPIKE

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Re: Great How and the other Castle Rock
« Reply #1 on: 09:13:13, 23/04/08 »
As usual Mike a great report and pictures. As you say Great How is a fine view point and sadly missed by the hordes heading for the higher fells. (Their loss). There is a path above Castle Rock up to Watsons Dood. I believe that the ex ITV weatherman (Fred Talbot?) used it when he did a series on walking in the Lakes.
Regards,
Dave
http://www.wainwright-wanderings.co.uk/

ukmase

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Re: Great How and the other Castle Rock
« Reply #2 on: 13:45:52, 23/04/08 »
Great report, poor Bruno looks tired. ;D ;D ;D

darksky

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Re: Great How and the other Castle Rock
« Reply #3 on: 17:03:56, 23/04/08 »
Good report mate,haha poor bruno, nice photo's aswell.
'''get out there and experience as much as you can its beautiful and have yourself alotta fun doing it'''

mike knipe

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Re: Great How and the other Castle Rock
« Reply #4 on: 19:06:48, 23/04/08 »
Don't worry about the dog - ad-hoc snoozing is one of his hobbies. Just mention wabbits, pussycats or any kind of food (except oranges) and he'd be there...

Incidentally - got a good view of Helvellyn on this walk and , apart from the Eastern edge, most of the snow seems to have gone.
« Last Edit: 19:17:09, 23/04/08 by mike knipe »
Some kind of happiness is measured out in miles

See the blog!  www.northernpies.blogspot.com

 

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