Author Topic: TR Swindale, Howes and Selside Pike Sat 4 to Sun 5 Jan 20  (Read 1604 times)

April

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We were on a Karls Kut Price Tour last weekend   :o I was hoping Karl was going to do a TR but it looks like the lazy sod isn't doing one  :D So here is my TR.

The weather forecast wasn't great so we'd changed the original plan from the western lakes to the east where the weather was supposed to be better. After picking Karl up from Penrith I drove to the layby near the start of the Old Corpse Road in Mardale.

Kidsty Pike and Haweswater


We started climbing straight away, steeply at first up the Old Corpse Road. Karl had come up with a great idea of visiting Forces Falls in Swindale, we (me and beefy) had never seen them. Weather depending we were going to pitch on Howes a top near Selside Pike.         

Hopegill Beck


The Rigg and High Street from the Old Corpse Road


The weather was pretty kind to us to start but the wind got stronger as we climbed.

Kidsty Pike seen above one of the ruined peat huts


Some more old relics  :D


On the way down into Swindale


The Old Corpse Road descends to Swindale Head

Swindale Head below


The path was slippery in places, muddy and slick stones were waiting to catch us out. 

In Swindale 


It is interesting terrain in Swindale


The path meanders through the drumlins

Looking back toward Swindale Head 


The first of the falls on Mosedale Beck


We stopped for some lunch near here enjoying the sound of the water

Our lunchtime view
                               

We'd left the main path to reach the beck and the narrow trod that ascends beside it. Full of food we began the steep climb alongside the beck.

Waterfalls aplenty


I lost count of the number of separate waterfalls  :smitten:


Yet another fine waterfall


A waterfall that reminded me of Aira Force


The way up had been slippery and care had to be taken at times, there were a few drops to the left to be wary of.                         

A mini fall as we reached the flatter area beyond the main falls


The last waterfall


The wind was stronger here now and there was rain in the air. We hoped to get the tents up before it started raining any heavier. The forecast was for very little rain if any for the far east, it wasn't correct, what a surprise  ;)

Mosedale Cottage in the gloom ahead


The bothy was our safety net in case we couldn't find a sheltered spot for our tents on the fellside.                               

One of the tarns on Nabs Moor


We had ascended onto Nabs Moor and started looking for Karl's rocky area he had thought we could camp at.

Our pitch near Howes 


For a Karls Kut Price Tour this was pretty good  ;) The rocky top was found and it did give us shelter from the wind. The ground wasn't perfectly flat so our tent outer wasn't as taut as normal but this is wild camping and you have to expect you are not going to pitching on a lawn. The rain started falling heavier as we pitched and it rained almost continuously all night. So much for the forecast  ::) We chatted to each other from the inside of our tents, shame we couldn't socialise outside. The wind got worse over night and both our tents got a battering. Well Karl said on his website that the wind wasn't a problem. That is because he bleddy snored through the wind battering  ;D Next morning our inside our tents conversation continued with each other and we had both had the idea of going back over Selside Pike back to the car. A shorter route than had been planned because the weather wasn't great. Still raining and windy. We packed up after breakfast and walked over Howes top and kept to the height of the fellside to reach the fence leading to Selside Pike.

On Selside Pike summit                                                         


This was the only photo I took on Sunday, the rain on the lens says it all! We dropped down to the Old Corpse Road and back down to the car. It was good to be out with Karl again, shame the weather has been pants for his time off work  :( Hopefully we will get a better weather wild camp or two done with him the next time he gets the whole weekend off.

Day 1 was Layby near Mardale Head - Old Corpse Road - Swindale Head - Forces Falls - pitch near Howes. 4.4 miles with    530m ascent. Day 2 was Pitch near Howes - Selside Pike - Old Corpse Road - layby near Mardale Head. 3.3 miles  with 100m ascent. The rain aside we had really enjoyed the two days, we love those waterfalls and we plan to come back, thanks for the Tour Karl, it was marvellous to be out with you again  O0 
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Ridge

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What amazing waterfalls, in other areas of the National Park they would be swarming with tourists.

April

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My thoughts too Ridge  :)
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beefy

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Nice pics Ape O0
A nice start with the waterfalls, shame about 3pm onwards  ;D
Did you hear a warthog in the night? You can hear it in my video :D
KKPT are now on the banned list ;D
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April

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Did you hear a warthog in the night? You can hear it in my video :D

Aye it was someone in the tent next to us  :D

KKPT are now on the banned list ;D

 :o But Squeaky loves the kippers he supplies her with  :)
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vghikers

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A good round in an underrated area and a very decent pitch.  O0
Plenty of water in squelchy Mosedale to feed those nice falls!.

April

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Thanks vghikers, it was great place, we will be back to explore more of it  :)
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karl h

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A lovely record of our trip April O0
I'm glad you liked the falls they really are a hidden gem although I think in summer you might get a few more people about than a windy, rainy day in January :)
I'm just sorry we only heard and didn't catch a glimpse of the legendary wild boar of Mosedale... perhaps next time ;D


If anyone would like to see a few more pics they are HERE....although I think this is the best one,

Jac

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Lovely waterfalls and rather nice drumlins too.
So many paths yet to walk, so little time left

beefy

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Quote
I'm just sorry we only heard and didn't catch a glimpse of the legendary wild boar of Mosedale... perhaps next time  


 ;D  great pics and write up karl
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pleb

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Re: TR Swindale, Howes and Selside Pike Sat 4 to Sun 5 Jan 20
« Reply #10 on: 10:13:30, 09/01/20 »
Didnt you see any waterfalls then?
I'm confused, who was boaring then?  ;D
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richardh1905

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Re: TR Swindale, Howes and Selside Pike Sat 4 to Sun 5 Jan 20
« Reply #11 on: 10:40:55, 09/01/20 »
Lovely photos, April. Those waterfalls are well worth a visit.

We were up at Blea Water on New Year's Day - strong winds, clouds down on the tops, and my youngest getting cold, so we beat a hasty retreat!
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April

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Re: TR Swindale, Howes and Selside Pike Sat 4 to Sun 5 Jan 20
« Reply #12 on: 19:37:19, 09/01/20 »
I'm glad you liked the falls they really are a hidden gem although I think in summer you might get a few more people about than a windy, rainy day in January :)

They were fab Karl, thank you for organising the walk, I would never have thought to go there  :)

Great pics on your website btw  :)

Lovely waterfalls and rather nice drumlins too.

They were lovely, thanks Jac  :)

Didnt you see any waterfalls then?

 ::)

We were up at Blea Water on New Year's Day - strong winds, clouds down on the tops, and my youngest getting cold, so we beat a hasty retreat!

New Year's Day wasn't a great weather day this year!

Thanks Richard  :)
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sunnydale

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Re: TR Swindale, Howes and Selside Pike Sat 4 to Sun 5 Jan 20
« Reply #13 on: 10:31:34, 11/01/20 »
Great photos....& yours is ok too Karl :D
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forgotmyoldpassword

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Re: TR Swindale, Howes and Selside Pike Sat 4 to Sun 5 Jan 20
« Reply #14 on: 13:11:01, 11/01/20 »
Lovely part of the world (when it isn't raining) - the photo of the Rigg and Haweswater from the Old Corpse Road is a particular fav. I remember there being a little cairn there where I sat during the summer, not another soul in sight, thinking it'd be a great place to set up an easel.  I need to put together some routes involving the waterfalls though - not done much of that area in particular. 


If you'd indulge me for a bit - how do you guys plan your trips for weekends?  Obviously everyone sits down with a map and figures out something they'd like to do - but since you've done so many good Lakeland routes, is it simply closing your eyes and putting your finger down somewhere and doing that?  Is there a list of 'do these again' routes?  Is there a list of ongoing Wainwrights you'd like to complete another 'round' of and this is how you do it?  Or perhaps is it more about logistics, and to do with looking at limiting driving time and doing anything somewhat close?


Hope you don't mind the 'behind the scenes' question, it's 80mph winds on the tops today so I figure you guys will be likely at home rather than out this weekend!




 

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