Burnbank Fell

The first part of the walk was a bit spooky actually. The bridleway went through a field of cattle. I'm not a big fan of walking through cattle. These seemed okay though. They just gave me a hard stare as I weaved my way through them. They all had bells around their necks so I'd know if any of them tried to sneak up on me.

It was a steep climb up Burnbank Fell. I thought I'd seen two people stood on the top while I'd shuffled through the cattle, but now I was up here I could see that they were just small trees. Now it was lighter I could see Scotland over the Solway Firth. It was getting quite breezy. The highest peak in front of me was in mist. I followed a path that ran alongside a fence and this led me towards the mysterious misty peak. 

Blake Fell

When I got to the top of the mysterious misty peak, it was no longer misty. It was very, very windy though. I stood inside a stone shelter that was so low that it only provided shelter up to knee height. I spent 5 minutes trying to put my jacket on. Twice the wind blew one of the arms of my jacket inside out. Eventually I managed to hook my arm through and get my hat and gloves on. With a strong grip on the map, I worked out I was on Bake Fell. It was actually a high peak with all round impressive views. Looking westwards I looked down on to the small reservoir that was Corga Moss. I thought I'd seen all the lakes and tarns in the Lake District but this one was new to me. As I headed downwards from the top I came across a mechanised post installer. This would explain the extensive fencing I'd seen around here. Once I'd dropped out of the summit wind I had another look at the map. As I did this, I noticed another mechanised post installer making its way slowly uphill towards me on its caterpillar tracks. Looks like they can't build fences fast enough around here. 

Whiteoak Moss Waterworld

If you ever want to test the waterproof effectiveness of your boots, then I can suggest no better place than Whiteoak Moss at the foot of Hen Comb. It was not boggy in the sense that you'd go down to your knees in mud; it was just incredibly wet. It was a bit like going for a paddle in the sea. Somebody had thrown the occasional wooden stake down, although this appeared an attempt to improve the walker's morale, rather than make the route any drier. A large number of bags of stones had been dumped at the western side of this swamp area, and so maybe they are going to build some sort of causeway.

There is no easy way to the top of Hen Comb. It is rather an isolated peak. I was therefore rather surprised to find a couple reaching its top just as I did. It was far too windy to have any sensible conversation, so they soon disappeared on my ascent route, and I start descending on their ascent route. There are great views from Hen Comb. I could see Blake Fell to my left, Loweswater in front, and the bulk of Melbreak to my right. If I looked over my right shoulder I could see the Buttermere valley. 

Loweswater

As I say, this was an off-the-cuff walk and I'd not really studied my return route. It was only as I was coming down Loweswater Fell that I realised that I was trapped by Whiteoak Beck to my left and Mosedale Beck to my right. Loweswater Fell in front of me just seemed to end in fields with no public footpath. I decided that crossing Whiteoak Beck would be my best option based purely on the fact that I thought Whiteoak Moss was holding most of the water back at its head. This turned out to be a good choice and I managed to cross the beck without any problems.

I followed the bridleway that runs along the west side of Loweswater. The path would have great views, but due to the forestry plantation between the path and the lake, you can't see them. Eventually, I broke free of the trees and the views opened up. It was a stunning view over Loweswater towards Crummock Water.

I returned back on to the path through the cattle. They must have remembered me since they didn't give me any hard stares this time.

Fangs Brow Substitute was a great walk. It was on high fells, had stunning views, and even my boots got a well deserved wash on Whiteoak Moss.