A walk on the wilder side – Place Fell October 2012
We’ve having a glorious spell of weather at the moment in the Lake District. Last Sunday Morgan and I decided to celebrate with a late afternoon walk off the beaten track on Place Fell above Ullswater. Having done the Place Fell walk many times I thought we’d try a slightly different route and head off across the western face and see what we could see. I freely admit this has led to some not very exciting narrative but some nice photos!
The Route to Boredale
We took the usual path from Patterdale up towards Boredale Hause. Thankfully despite the fabulous weather we didn’t encounter too many other hounds so Morgan was for once quite well behaved on the way up….
Going off piste
We took the shortcut path before reaching Boredale and then veered off heading south just below the top. Having got onto the western face I decided to do the sensible thing and follow whatever sheep tracks I could find to try and work my way across with a view to dropping down somewhere past Side Farm.
Morgan enjoys the views
Great Views
Obviously the weather and the views gave me a great excuse to stop and have a breather. These are some of the better ones….
Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Catstycam
Looking over to Deepdale
Time to find a way down
Having been traversing for about half an hour and with a full complement on photos, it was time to try and find a route down. Not wanting to retrace my steps (how boring) and noticing that sheep tracks always seem to go up hill it was time to bite the bullet and try and get down to the main path. Top tips if you’re doing this 1) on a dry sunny day heather makes a good foothold 2) scree doesn’t at any time!
Morgan Surveys the scree
All went well until we cam across a wide scree section. Morgan wanted me to go first (how gallant) – quite sensible as well given that I was more likely to cause a landslide than him. By now the ankles were beginning to feel the strain but we managed to get down to a point just beyond Side Farm. As soon as we spotted the dead tree above the cave then we went for it…
Morgan returns to normality
One last sight to behold
Once we were safely back down on the path we headed for home. One the way past Rookings we had one last treat – a couple of deer hanging out in the woods…
Deer in Patterdale
All in all a grand afternoon out! Rough route as below
Our Route
A word of Caution
Obviously as a responsible fell walker I wouldn’t encourage everyone to go off piste all the time – you should stick to the footpaths wherever possible. However every now and then trying something a little different is good value!
Another Morgan View
Rob – fantastic pics – keep on meaning to go up Place Fell when we’ve stayed at Eddie and Hazel’s but never made it though it was raining on both occasions (Southern softies!) – there’s always next year! Cheers, John.
Hi John – the weather’s amazing at the moment – about to head out for a lunchtime stroll now! Hope all’s well – let us know when you’re next visiting! Cheers Rob
Good pictures and looking forward to similar when I arrive up there in a bit.
hopefully will get to walk upto Boredale from Harstop (fold is usual residence up there)
and the other side through deepdale
Those deer look young.
Hi Steve – have a good trip. Know Hartsop Fold well – great place. IF you fancy a change you could stay in our patterdale cottage! http://www.patterdalecottage.com