The Dodds

Yesterday we hiked over all the Dodds.  We set off up to the top of Sticks Pass and then turned north onto the track leading up towards Stybarrow Dodd, oddly this summit does not have a clearly defined path to the top, so it's a good job there is a prominent cairn.

Next we hiked over to Watson's Dodd which was into the teeth of the wind.  I know it is only August still but by the time we reached it we had all donned waterproof jackets against the showers and gloves because the wind was biting. It was at this point that I chose the earflaps down on my cap option because it nearly blew off, someone did have to chase theirs across the fell side and Pete's sit mat took off too.

Watson's Dodd

Then we posed for some photographs and Sam who was a professional photographer, he's above on the left, took many more shots of the scenery before we headed up the hill again towards Great Dodd.
This is an impressive mountain and its just over 2800ft  (858m) so it was hard work against the wind. Once on the top we had a choice of lunch or take photos and go, no surprises which we chose. 

Great Dodd and blowing a gale

I am showing off the map on my Satmap navigation system to Brian and the others are enjoying the views which were very good despite it not being bright and sunny.  You really do have a panoramic view on top of Great Dodd; try it.

We dropped off the top and descended down towards Calfhow Pike which looked inviting in the sunshine, and we were not disappointed because it was indeed sunny and warmer down there.  This is where we settled down and had some lunch and where Bella decided to chase off after some sheep.  But she was thwarted because she was still firmly anchored to Pete's rucksack and it caught on a wire fence a few yards down the fellside, so dog and rucksack came to an abrupt halt much to the amusement of the onlookers. Good try Bella, but you are not going to be allowed to chase off and to make a point she was picked up and made to pose for the photograph below. You can see she is still looking for the sheep though!

Lyn, Pete and Bella on Calfhow Pike
 

No more drama ensued after that and we made our way over Clough Head safely before heading down over White Pike and down the fellside towards The Old Coach Road.  We only needed to find a way through the rough grass to the farmer's fields below and we were in Threlkeld before we knew it. Perfect timing for the 3.43 bus back to Keswick.

Wednesday 26th June we went up The Old Man of Coniston

Our route took us up over Dow Crag, down to the coll and then up to Coniston Old Man

 

We left the car park at The Old Coniston Railway Station and headed up through the woods to join the Walna Scar Road which we followed to it's highest point before it drops down into the Duddon Valley. 

Looking across to the summit cairn of The Old Man

 We walked over Brown Pike and Buck Pike towards Dow Crag.

 

Heading towards Dow Crag

The arête on Dow Crag which we climbed once a few years ago.

There were fine views across Goats Water far below and we could see the steep path leading to Goats Hawse above and beyond on to The Old Man.

 

 

 

Here we are at the trig point on Coniston Old Man  803m

 The trig point is perched on the rim of the crags which fall down to Low Water far below. The actual summit is just off picture to the right.

 

Lyn is holding #flatmarley a picture of special significance because by taking it to the top of Coniston Old Man she is participating in a game to raise money for Dogs Trust and Lyn has made her donation here. The reason she chose to bring it along was because Marley the Dog once hiked up Coniston Old Man before he sadly died of heart disease last December.

 

Bella is enjoying herself on the summit and this is her way of saying 'let's go'

We spent at least half an hour on the summit because it was such a lovely day and the views were magnificent, so if you have never been, keep it for a fine day.

Bella relaxes on Goats Hawse with Dow Crag in the distance.

More adventures are scheduled for this coming week when we all go off to Eskdale to stay at the Woolpack Inn and we hope to do Scafell not Scafell Pike. Watch this space folks.

Scafell Pike in the distance

Bella licks her nose

I have posted up the final walks for the season.  Look under the separate pages for July, August and September walks and you will find the programme.