• Looking towards Wrynose Bottom from Harter Fell

  • Fog rolling in around the base of Esk Pike and Bowfell

  • Pippa on Green Crag with Sca Fell Pike and Esk Pike behind

Above the fog

I’d heard the forecast and they’d said that the fog would only rise to about 300 m. So the fell tops would be poking above the cloud. So there was only one thing to do – get out early and get high.

Unfortunately I didn’t want to ‘waste’ a trip to the Lake District and not get a Wainwright done. Now, as I’m down to 10 there wasn’t much choice. So today I headed south to the Duddon Valley and chose Green Crag and Harter Fell. Harter Fell rises to 649 m (trig point height) so a good view around was very likely.

I left early and got to a suitable car park at 8.30 am. I’d only seen the sun briefly driving over Orton Scar and the Duddon Valley was pretty clear of fog further up. The sun was peeking over the surrounding fell tops casting a red/pink glow over the fells.

The first part of the walk from the car park about 2 km from Seathwaite was not all the great – in fact it was very boggy heading up Grassguards Gill to Green Crag. But Green Crag was covered in snow and the ground was a little firmer.

Pippa on Green Crag with Sca Fell Pike and Esk Pike behind
Pippa on Green Crag with Sca Fell Pike and Esk Pike behind

The walk across the marshy land between Green Crag and Harter Fell was not too bad due to the frozen ground. This led to the path to the summit of Harter Fell where the views around were fantastic. The fog came in a little and covered Green Crag, but the fog did not come any further inland.

Looking towards Wrynose Bottom from Harter Fell
Looking towards Wrynose Bottom from Harter Fell
Fog rolling in around the base of Esk Pike and Bowfell
Fog rolling in around the base of Esk Pike and Bowfell

The descent was a bit loose underfoot, but the riverside path back to the car was idyllic. Pippa noticed one or two red squirrels in the trees.

And the walk back through the woods with the light streaming through was an ideal photo opportunity.

Another great walk.

Wainwrights to go: 8

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