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After her early walk alongside Loweswater and her mid-morning walk from Fangs Brow to the Loweswater Fells,

our daughter Jenna was happy to have a third outing in the afternoon, so she and I took Dylan up Gasgale Gill

and on up the fellside to the Whin Ben summit . . . what a busy day !

	- - - o o o - - - The object of desire . . . Whin Ben. (above) A walk up there would allow Jenna to climb from the valley floor and view Loweswater from above. The walk started from the old phone box, Lanthwaite Green, a phone box that is definitely no longer in working order. - - - o o o - - -

The mighty bulk of Grasmoor from the car park at Lanthwaite Green.

The weather was fine but there was a cool breeze so the sunshine was appreciated.

We would start the walk with a stroll up Gasgale Gill, seen to the left of the mountain.

(Apologies for the smudge on the lens)

Lanthwaite House, with Lanthwaite Hill behind and Low Fell in the distance.

To our right as we crossed the open moorland below Grasmoor, was the High Stile Ridge.

The prominent peak is Red Pike, silhouetted in the afternoon sun.

The River Liza as it leaves Gasgale Gill Valley.

Storms and landslips over the last few years have brought down lots of gravel with the water,

sufficient to excite any geography teacher who's into post-glacial erosion.

The storms also brought down the bridges so the National Park built a new posh one a few years back.



The Grasmoor Direct footpath climbs the side of the fell . . .	. . . but we take the riverside path up the valley.

The double step and waterfall at the exit of the narrow valley always has the potential for a good photo.

Jen climbs carefully up the large rock steps by the side of the falls.

(There is an alternative higher path)

Looking down on a plunge pool and a large rock poised over the next waterfall up the valley.



A delightful cascade of water runs down the valley . . .	. . . as we make our way up to the big boulder.

As the valley faces west there has been plenty of sunshine, creating long shadows ahead of us.

Dylan stops for a photo at the next turn in the valley.

At the top of the Gasgale is Hopegill Head and Sand Hill.

We could go further up towards them . . . but on the other hand we could do something else instead.

The large boulder is the landmark where a second path breaks off and stays high above the river.

It will take us part way up Whin Ben, in shadow at present as a large cloud obscures the sun.

Jen leads us on the path . . . back towards the bright light once again.



That's not a seat belt . . . it's my camera bag strap.	Jen gets distracted by the sun in her eyes !

Her large woolly hat has kept her nice and warm so far, but here it also served as useful padding when she bashed herself on the unseen outcrop of rock.

Fortunately no damage done . . . just dented pride and a sudden need to straighten her headgear.

Back on track as we round the corner high above the river.

We've made good time and as she wanted to climb higher, we took the path up to the right rather than down.



Climbing the heather clad slopes of Whin Ben . . .	. . . looking down on the wind-blown holly.

The camera comes out again as the slope eases slightly.

The climb just about classes as a scramble, as it is easier if you hold on to a rock or two with your hands on the way up.

Looking down on the river and the same large boulder at the path junction far below.

Across at the rock band on the Dove Crag Arête route up Grasmoor . . . a fine walk on a dry day.

Dylan bags the minor top.

Time for us to head back so we'll leave the path to Whiteside summit at this point and head left back down to Lanthwaite.

The sun is really strong once again and really lights up the golden bracken.

I hang back slightly for an extra picture or two.

This is Jen's picture as the sun shone out from behind the cloud.

A Swaledale sheep notes our passing . . .

Interested but not impressed by the short interruption in her daily routine.

Stockier Herdwicks blend into the landscape of the autumnal fell side.

Down the grass and bracken path that head towards the valley once more.

An hour or so into our walk and the sunshine has gone.

Not behind a cloud this time but at quarter to five it has set behind the Loweswater Fells.

Back across the bridge as we 'complete the circuit'.

	- - - o o o - - - When we started the full face of Grasmoor was in sunshine. As we end the walk the setting sun only shines brightly on the top half of the fell. Dylan is already in the car waiting for the short drive home - - - o o o - - -

Ann and Dougal have enjoyed a short walk in the fields and she too can now appreciate the late sunshine

and the 'Ayers Rock' effect of the changing colours on the fells.

The final trace of colour from the setting sun brightens the sky above Great Gable.

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Panasonic Lumix TZ60, or my Panasonic Lumix Gx8 Camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . a paint tin and a decorator's brush to keep my daughter happy/busy for the rest of the evening.

Previous walk - 29th October - Autumn in Loweswater

A previous time up here - 10th April 2016 - Whin Ben with Harry

Next walk - 30th October - Jen's Burnbank & Hopegill Head

We are proud to offer for sale the

Loweswatercam Calendar 2019

For this 11th edition

we have been looking back at the year

to bring you twelve months of

Loweswater pictures and Lakeland scenes.

Click here to see the full details.

£10 a copy (plus postage + packaging as required)

£1 of every calendar sold goes to support

the Air Ambulance and Cumbrian Mountain Rescue.


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