Walk 85 - Hartsop above How

	Walk 85 - Hartsop above How - 9th January 2024
	Wainwright's Walking Guide to the Lake District Fells - Book 1 The Eastern Fells
	#195 Hartsop above How 1903 ft #25 Hart Crag 2697 ft (revisit) #26 Dove Crag 2598 ft (revisit)		Distance	6.6 miles
			Time	7 hrs
			Lowest Point	514 ft
			Highest Point	2697 ft
			Total Ascent	2595 ft
	Walk Rating - moderate

Mini Route Map
(larger map at the bottom)

Go to start on OS map

Go to start on Google


	9.59 Driving south we stopped for this view with the lower part of Birkhouse Moor catching the sun and the Glenridding ferry making its first trip of the day.


	10.42 It was easy to get a parking space at Cow Bridge on a weekday in winter.


	11.00 After a short walk up through Low Wood we begin to get out onto the fell.


	11.02 A view of Hartsop as we clear the tree tops.


	11.08 Looking over the valley to Hartsop.


	11.13 The upper part of the valley in winter sun.


	11.18 Mis-matched walking speed as usual.


	14.57 Panorama 872 With bright sunshine over Kirkstone Pass.


		The path through Low Wood from Cow Bridge is steep, but it provides the opportunity to visit a grassy platform that offers superb views over Brothers Water.
		Alfred Wainwright - The Eastern Fells. Hartsop above How 3.


	11.28 The path directly below us is our return in 5 hours time.


	11.29 Place Fell.


	11.30 Hartsop and the northern end of Brotherswater.


	11.34 As we reached the ridge the view opens up.A particularly noteable view of Arnison Crag, the point on the left.


	11.43 Crossing the wall had to be done carefully not only because of the ice puddle but also because the stile had missing steps.


	11.49 Panorama 873 A view just after crossing the wall.


	12.00 Ice patches were interesting.


	12.22 Panorama 874 Gale Crag.


	12.25 This one had a rippled side and a smooth side.


	12.46 Icicles formed beneath the turf.


	12.59 The optional icy route generated a lot of creaking noises.


	13.05 Panorama 875 Hartsop above How summit. Wainwright #195 1903 ft.


	13.06 From this angle we could clearly see the steep angled path that we had taken up Hartsop Dodd in September 2022.


	13.23 Looking back at the summit as we continued south. We had just met a walker heading north from the ridge who had given us a report on the conditions up there - easy ground but colder and windy.


	14.00 Looking across at Dove Crag as we start to climb Hart Crag. It was beginning to feel colder and we could hear the wind higher up, so just after this we stopped for a snack and put on all our remaining layers.


	14.36 Panorama 876 There was an icy breeze blowing across Hart Crag summit. A revisit of Wainwright #25 2697 ft which we did in May 2018 as part of the Fairfield Horseshoe.


	14.41 Leaving the summit of Hart Crag.


	14.44 Three F35s returned - this one dropping into the valley over Kirkstone Pass.


	14.49 Crossing the rocks below Hart Crag.


	15.06 Sheltering on Dove Crag summit.


	15.09 Panorama 877 Dove Crag summit. A revisit of Wainwright #26 2697 ft - another revisit from May 2018.


	15.10 Dove Crag summit with the wall leading along to High Pike and a view of Windermere.


	15.33 We turned back after Dove Crag and made a right turn to drop towards Dovedale and the path for the Priest's Hole cave. This is the worst bit of path we saw all day, sheltered from the sun it was a sheet of solid ice for 30 m or so.


	15.37 Approaching Houndshope Cove and we began to realise we were not going to make it to the cave with enough light to be safe or to get a decent photograph.


	15.40 Decision taken at the bottom of the path. It was frustrating being so close but the Priest's Hole Cave will have to wait for another day.


	15.43 Panorama 878 At Houndshope Cove below Dove Crag. The large erratic marks the start of the path up to the Priest's Hole. Following this it was a step descent as the light faded, then a walk down the valley. As we reached the farm, with only our headtorch for guidance we could see a number of glistening rectangular bars floating a few feet in front of us - then suddenly realised that they were the eyes of a dozen young black heffers.