Walking the Wainwrights - a Boardale round, plus...
This was one of Stuart Marshall's marathons - when you think about it, doing all the Wainwrights in 36 walks means LONG walks, and this was no exception.  But the weather held out, and so did we (just).  All in all, a long and rewarding day!

We started from St Peter's Church in Martindale, at the foot of Hallin Fell.

Here are the pictures

(you can click on any picture to get a larger version).

The walk was primarily a circuit of Boardale but, as an hors d'oeuvre (his words) Stuart proposed en excursion up Hallin Fell and Steel Knotts.  Hallin Fell has the advantages of some good views without being not too high, Steel Knotts is less well endowed.
This is the massive cairn on the top of Hallin Fell, which stands on the elbow of Ullswater above Howtown.  Here you see the northern part of the lake.
Across from Hallin Fell is Little Mell Fell, where we were last week.

And this is where we are going today: the peaks around Boardale.  None of the fells are too high which, if you look at the clouds, is a definite advantage.
Boardale again, showing Beda Fell on the left, where we start, and Place Fell on the right, where we finish. 


When, that is, we have dealt with Steel Knotts, there behind the church in the valley.
St Peter's Church in Martindale.

Martindale, as seen from the slopes of Steel Knotts.
This is the delightfully named Pikeawassa, the rocky summit of Steel Knotts.  AW calls it "the sharpest summit in Lakeland", and "only very agile walkers will be able to stand upon it".  I think it must have weathered since then - it's only about 5ft high, and not that difficult at all...
Down in Martindale again, walking along to the start of our real walk, we found this group of youngsters being taught to rock climb.  Look at all that kit!  No wonder the outdoors kit retailers are doing OK...
At last we've managed to get onto Beda Fell, the start of the Boardale Round.  This is the view backwards into Martindale; the building on the right is the old church of St Martin, Hallin Fell is in the distance, and Steel Knotts on the right.

These are Thrang Crags, on the way up Beda Fell.  There were signs prohibiting climbing because of nesting peregrines and ravens, not that we saw any.
Looking back down the main spine of Beda Fell towards Hallin Fell and Ullswater.

Martindale, Hallin Fell and Steel Knotts.
Where we had lunch, at the top of Beda Fell.  The wind had started to blow strongly, right in our faces since we were travelling south-west, and it increased all the time as we struggled along the ridge/plateau towards Angle Tarn.

But it was worth suffering for!  The view from Angletarn Pikes.
And this is the view down into Patterdale form the Pikes.

Looking south over Brothers Water (where we should be walking next week)
Angle Tarn from the main path on its eastern side.  Brock Crags is the fell-top on the right.

Climbing gently round the southern side of the Tarn, you come to this col where you can see across to Hayeswater.  The fell on the right is Gray Crag, which I attacked from the south as part of the famous Kentmere Horseshoe walk.  High Street is up on the left.
The summit of Brock Crags, with Gray Crag on the left.

The nearest we got to a pose from the dogs all day; they were probably more interested in keeping down out of the wind!  In fact, this was where turned to walk north-east and mostly downhill, which you would have thought would be easier - but actually it proved quite tricky to avoid being blown off balance...
Angle Tran from Brock Crags, with Angletarn Pikes behind the tarn.
The view into Deepdale from the flank of Brock Crags.  St Sunday Crag and Fairfield dominate the skyline.
The tarn close up.

From the northern end of the tarn
Brothers Water again

Patterdale below us.
The last obstacle of the day: Place Fell, as seen from near Boardale Hause.

Quite some time later: the summit cairn.
That's where we're going: north-east towards Hallin Fell down there.  I took a few pictures up at the top, but the wind (and a short rain squall ) were too much for all but this one.  A pity, because you can usually get some good views west, of the fells behind Glenridding. 


You can see Boardale down on the right.  The farmstead is where we are aiming.
That's where we have been...

Down in the valley, the dogs are happy to splash around in the little beck...
This is where we crossed the beck.  The bridge consists of two quite enormous pieces of slate.

After crossing the beck.  Different colours when you change your point of view
Place Fell receding into the distance. 

End of a good day!

Don't forget  - you can click on any picture to get a larger version.

If you would like to sponsor me and the dogs in our quest to walk all the Wainwrights for the Great North Air Ambulance Service, please click here - and thank you for your generosity!