May 2021

Staying at The Shepherd’s Arms, Ennerdale Bridge.

Day 3 – 27 May

Mellbreak

Route: From NT car park NW of Buttermere village; Crummock Water path to Scale Beck crossing; W up Black Beck until path on R (not on all OS maps) leaves for Mellbreak at NY148173. Return by similar (but better) route crossing to Scale Force and following path across lower slopes to join lakeside path at 2nd(?) footbridge (NY153170).

Weather: Fine and clear.

The classic view of Mellbreak across Crummock Water

Unlike many Lake District fells Mellbreak stands alone, not linked by a ridge to any other hill. It’s a fine objective, and this day was a good day. Of the two tops the southern one (on the left in the photo) is the higher by three metres, which is fortunate because a) it was the one I reached first, b) I wanted to go into Keswick later and c) someone I met at the top said walking to the other top wasn’t worth it and the dip was very boggy. It was a good enough excuse. But it was a good short day and i shall definitely go back.

Grasmoor across Crummock Water; Rannerdale Knotts in the middle ground.

Crummock Water & Buttermere from Mellbreak

Day 4 – 28 May

Haycock, Caw Fell

Route: From car park at Bowness (Ennerdale) to first bridge over River Liza (Char Dub); up tongue between Deep Gill and Silvercove Beck. E to Haycock, back and W to Caw Fell; retrace route to return.

Weather: Murky.

The walk along the lakeside track in Ennerdale is always a pleasure. Yellow Welsh poppies featured prominently along the way. The path up the tongue is clear and easily found by continuing straight ahead after crossing the bridge over the Liza, turning right uphill after crossing a footbridge over Silvercove Beck and before crossing another over Deep Gill.

This path doesn’t seem to quite make it to the summit ridge; it veers off to the west about 100m short. Destination (if any) unknown.

There is a substantial wall along the summit at the depression between Haycock and Caw Fell. The two summits I visited are on different sides but there are enough fenced gaps or stiles to make climbing it unnecessary.

It stayed dry, the summits were clear and visibility was reasonably good but the air was grey and murky, draining the colour out of the landscape to a dull palette of browns and greys – so no photos except for the two summits.

The cairn by the wall at Haycock summit

Caw Fell summit

Thanks to my hosts at The Shepherd’s Arms for a friendly welcome, a comfortable bed and good meals. And thanks too to The Gather, Ennerdale @GatherEnnerdale for tea, hot chocolate, cake and scone.