wander the hills , and camp in high places: Shap Fells August 2018.

This trip coincided with a bank holiday which would mean most of the popular summits in the lakes would be heaving with walkers. I had a few Wainwrights left to climb in the Shap fells, and thought these would be a good bet for a backpack in relative solitude. Although a few folk where walking the area it was a lot quieter than its neighbouring popular Fells.

I Parked in Shap and took the quiet country lane before leaving it to follow the concrete road into the Harper Hills. I love starting a backpack like this as it gives a real sense of walking away from civilisation and into the wilds.

Soon I was climbing into the fells and the 1st summit of the day Scalebarrow Knott which is 1 of the Wainwright outlying fells and also a Birkett. Although modest in height there were good spacious views from the summit cairn.

After a few pics I continued on towards Hare Shaw where I stopped for an early lunch whilst relaxing in the sun taking in the views, I was so relaxed that I forgot to take a pic. :(.

From there I headed for the Old Corpse Road which I followed East down into Swindale which was new ground for me. After a very nice valley walk I ascended back into the fells heading for Nabs Moor which is another 1 of the Wainwright outlying fells.

A steep pull bought me to the summit from where I continued a little way West to bag Howes- also 1 of the Wainwright outlying fells. For some reason I forgot to take pics at these 2 summits, although you can see them in the video below.

Heading south I descended into Mosedale from there I headed West towards Mosedale Cottage where I met a couple setting up their tent outside and after a brief chat I left then to continue on towards Tarn Crag - 1 of the 3 wainwright fells I had planned to climb on this trip. Another steep hot climb and I was on the summit from where I descended a little west to collect water from a stream before heading back to the summit from where I surveyed the ground to spot a likely sight.

A nice flat grassy area near the summit Cairn provided a very nice pitch for the night and I set to pitching the Khufu.

The first thing I always do once my mobile home for the night is pitched is to put my stove on for a welcome brew, the 2nd is to pour a single malt whisky, toast my day in the mountains, then relax and admire the view whilst I wait for the water to boil.

The moon rose to the east just as the sun was setting. It was turned a lovely warm orange colour, the photos below don't do it any justice as I really needed a long lens, but it is a compromise I'm willing to accept for the ease of carrying a very light, compact camera.

The forecast for the next day wasn't too good - heavy rain and wind might see me changing my route, but for now I put it to the back of my mind and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

The next morning I awoke to a world dominated by low grey cloud and rain it was obvious there any chance of a descent sunrise so I headed back to the warm depths of my bag for an hour or so.

when I next awoke it was still raining and I lit the stove for a brew whilst considering my options.
The original plan was to continue south before descending into Bannisdale then ascend to White Howe and follow the ridge line North where I planned to camp on Harrop Pike.

I spent a few hours waiting for the rain to ease and by 10 am it was still raining with a strong wind blowing so I let out the air from my sleeping pad which gave me the momentous to strike camp and move on.

I decided to amend my plans and to head straight to Harrop Pike from Grey Crag before descending east following the fence line before picking up the fence line heading North which I handrailed to arrive at a track which heads towards Scam Matthew and High wether Tove.

Descending west I picked up the track heading towards Seat Robert where another good sight just before the summit provided another good pitch for the night.

The next morning there were signs of brightness coming through and I continued over a few more minor summits heading back towards Shap.