Walk Summary
Astounding views along the Wasdale Valley. Walk along massive crags along Illgill Head that fall steeply into Wast Water. Lunch near the tranquil Burnsmoor Tarn. Return along the pretty Miterdale Valley.
Date: 18/12/2021
Length: 10.32 miles
Height Gain: 695 m
Terrain: Boggy paths, grass paths, stony paths, path contouring steep valley (can be avoided), forestry paths, forestry roads, lightly used roads
Navigation: High fells requiring map and compass. Some forestry paths on maps may not now exist (easier to use forestry roads). Tricky points noted on map.
Start: Offroad parking near Irton Wood
Route: Irton Wood, Whin Rigg, Illgill Head, Burnmoor Tarn, Miterdale
Map: OL6 The English Lakes South Western Area
Weather: Sunny, blue skies, cloud inversion
Walkers: Nun
Gallery
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Cloud Inversion Near Irton Pike
Captain's Log
Mad dogs And Yorkshiremen
My walk started on the other side of a large wooden gate. The problem was an elderly couple had approached the gate from the other side and they had a huge dog on a lead. Neither of the couple made eye contact, although the dog just sat and stared at me. The woman eased her way through the gate. 'Shall I bring the car across to the gate', the woman said to her husband. 'No, just open the boot. She'll be fine', said the husband. Drool dropped from the massive jowls of the dog. It was still staring at me. I was on the other side of my car, but it was locked, and my car keys were in my rucksack. If the dog went for me, then I calculated my best hope would be to get on to the roof of my car. The man opened the gate and pulled the huge lump of muscle with him. I'm sure he wouldn't be able to hold on to it, if it went for me. The dog kept eyeing me as it plodded past. I'm pretty sure it gave a Muttley snigger.
My nerves were rather jittery after that experience. I went through the gate and started walking up a forestry road. A woman approached with a collie dog on a lead. The woman didn't make eye contact. The dog rushed towards me and the woman struggled to restrain him. The dog's top lip was raised revealing some very sharp teeth. The woman dragged him through the wooden gate. Crikey, I wasn't sure I could take any more of this.
Irksome Irton
I intended starting my walk by going up Irton Pike. Unfortunately the forestry company had been up to its usual tricks and the permissive path on the map didn't exist in reality. I gave up tryng to find the start of the path and headed off up the Wasdale path. Irton Pike would have to wait for another day.
The early morning had been thick mist. As I got higher, I broke through the mist and a wonderful cloud inversion became apparant. The sky was blue and the sun was out above the mist. It was a different world. Amazing.
At Mecklin Park a wonderful view opened up. I could see all the way along the Wasdale valley. All the mountains were chrystal clear, but the lake was covered in white cloud. Latterbarrow protruded above the cloud and looked like an island on a glacier.
Irton Pike
Whin Rigg With Cloud Inversion Over Irish Sea
Wild Camper
As I made my way up to Whin Rigg I met a bearded walker coming down. He had wild camped here last night and was now making his way down to go home. He was a local and said he knew the best camping spot to get the best reception on his phone. He watched 'Have I Got News For You' last night.
After Whin Rigg the huge crags and sheer drops down to Wast Water became apparent. It was very dramatic. Between Whin Rigg and Illgill Head there are some tarns. The area looked like an ideal camping spot to me. I bet beardy man camped here.
Burnmoor Tarn
Illgill Head - No Room For Improvement
After Illgill Head the views just got better and better. The clould inversion was still along the valley bottom, but all the surrounding mountains were crystal clear. I sat down to have my lunch and to let it all sink in. It was hard to leave the Wasdale views, but having dropped down from Illgill Head, I had to turn my back on it and contour around to the pretty Burnmoor Tarn.
Illgill Head View To Yewbarrow
Footbridge Near Outdoor Centre
Miterdale
I'd never been down the Miterdale valley before. It started off well with the path contouring the hill side below Tongue Moor. It was quite a steep drop and would be quite interesting under snow and ice. Eventually I reached fields and started some field hopping. The cloud inversion was still there and it wasn't long before I'd dropped down into it. I reached what I thought was a derelict building but turned out to be a schools outdoor activities centre. More field hopping and my path took me through Low Place farm A young girl was attending to some cows. We exchanged 'hellos'. That's me and the girl, rather than me and the cows. I noticed that a number of shot pheasants had been hung up near the barn.
Forestry Shenanigans
The route from Low Place to tarmac seemed clear on the map, but I'd not accounted for the forestry company. Twice I followed paths that I thought had been marked on the map but eventually ended up in dead ends. in the end I gave up and just followed a forestry road back to tarmac.
As I walked back to where I'd parked the car, I could just see through the mist that four people were on the top of Irton Pike. So there is a path up there!
Just as I was about to set off in my car, I noticed across the road, the same elderly couple and their huge dog approaching their car who had unnerved me this morning. They must have just come back from giving their canine monster an afternoon walk. The dog looked at me. I'm pretty sure it winked.
Illgill Head View Of Great Gable