Day 1
We started from Uldale on Saturday, we planned to do Longlands Fell, Brae Fell, Great Sca Fell and then we wanted to pitch below Little Calva. The forecast wasn't bad but it was overcast to begin with.
The view from the start of the footpath near Stanthwaite
On the footpath to Longlands from Uldale
We had been along here before but I couldn't remember the footpath at all. We had walked about a km along the footpath and were approaching a stile. We heard a huge roar to our left and I saw some cows rushing toward us. They were coming at us very fast and one of the cows was still roaring away and it was a very alarming sound. We didn't wait to see if making ourselves big would stop them and we quickly got over the stile with a second to spare before the cows reached us. They had come down a hill and the ground was soft and boggy and they skidded before stopping. We reckoned they would have hit us if we hadn't moved because they had found it difficult to come to a stop. We think they were bullocks, and one of them continued to roar at us over the fence.
The cattle with the fence between us
These cattle/bullocks were very aggressive and threatening. They were not just being curious, or hoping we had food for them, they were dangerous and we were lucky not to have been hurt. In 40+ years of walking scary encounters with cattle like this have been rare, there's been 6 or 7 bad experiences and this is up there as one of the most frightening ones. I've been looking on the internet at how many cow attacks have been fatal and the number of serious injuries there have been. These are well documented, I wonder how many incidents like the one we had go unreported? I have an email address for Cumbria Highways, I will send an email to them, I think that is who I should report it to
Back to the walk, slightly shaken we got to the road at Longlands and we spotted a young deer in one of the gardens. The photo I took was too blurred to post on here.
A look back to Overwater from the path to Longlands Fell
It started raining here so it was on with full waterproofs. We were pleased of the extra layer because it was quite cold.
Longlands Fell ahead
Beefy on Longlands Fell summit
It was windy up at height and even colder. Although it had stopped raining we kept our waterproofs on.
Little Sca Fell, Great Sca Fell and Knott from Lowthwaite Fell
Our lunch stop view at Charleton Gill
Beefy on Brae Fell summit
Beefy on Little Sca Fell
Great Sca Fell with High Pike and Carrock Fell behind
Blencathra and Great Calva from near Frozen Fell
We took a pathless route between Frozen Fell and Knott (we didn't go on either summit) before joining the path leading from Knott that goes toward Little Calva. We followed a few trods here and there on our way to White Hause where we hoped to pitch.
We picked up some water from Whitehause Gill en route. We'd had to descend a bit to get the water which was a surprise after all the rain we have had. We found a pitch, got the water on to filter while we pitched the tent.
The MSR near White Hause
The MSR with Dead Crags and Bakestall behind
The wind was still a bit brisk so we'd pitched away from the summit which was exposed. We got our stuff set up and at outside for a while.
A cloud show from White Hause
Blue sky started to appear and the wind died down a little. We had a brew and we had our tea inside the tent, it was too cold to sit outside for long.
Bright sunshine from inside the tent
We had hopes of a sunset view although it was a bit cloudy. We had some wine and put some layers on.
Skiddaw and Bakestall from White Hause
Beefy on White Hause as the sun starts to set
We went up onto the summit for the sunset, we couldn't see it from the tent.
The sun disappears into cloud
We thought that might be it but we got a lovely colour show that lasted for over half an hour after the sun set.
Sale Fell, Bass Lake, Brock Crags and Binsey
The red colour increased
The last sunset shot
What a great sunset. We got back in the tent and into our bags to warm up and finished our wine. We'd had a great day except for the fright from the bullocks. Day 1 was Uldale - Longlands - Longlands Fell - Lowthwaite - Brae Fell - Little and Great Sca Fells - Frozen Fell - Little Nettle Hause - White Hause 13.2km with 766m ascent, 490m descent. We still had our waterproof trousers on, we kept them on in our bags the skies had cleared and we were in for a cold night.
Day 2
It had got cold overnight and there was bit of a frost. We had some breakfast and a brew and planned on going over Lonscale Fell and back to Keswick it was looking like another grand day.
Early morning mist over Bass Lake
We'd packed our gear away and were away by 8.30.
On the way up to Little Calva
The mist disappearing from Bass Lake
Unfortunately as the mist disappeared from the valleys it appeared on the fell tops
Beefy in the mist on Little Calva
Going over Great Calva and Lonscale Fell was sacked, they were in the clag, we would descend to the Skiddaw House supply road and Peter House Farm instead
The path follows the fence down to the road
The fence takes a left turn down to the road and is steep for a while. Not good for aging knees.
Binsey from the Skiddaw House supply road
The weather got better but the higher tops were still covered by cloud
We stopped for some food and a brew with a view of the falls.
Burn Tod, White Hause and Little Calva
Brockle Crags, Burn Tod and White Hause
Binsey from the route to Peter House Farm
We walked to Bass Village and sat for a while next to the beck behind the pub as we had 50 minutes to wait for our bus. Day 2 was White Hause - Little Calva - Whitewater Dash - Peter House Farm - Melbecks- Burthwaite - Bass Village - A591 bus stop. 11.2km with 221m ascent and 599m descent. We still had our waterproof trousers on from the day before when we got on the bus, it hadn't really got that warm but it had a grand couple of days.