Setting off again to camp overnight at Thirlmere campsite to tick off 10 hills before the Fairfield Horse finale. The first walk is to get Hartsop Above How out of the way thus avoiding adding a spur to the Fairfield. Parking is easy as I get into Paterdale early and find the spots by the bus stop free.
The walk starts off through a grassy meadow and then up through some woods before taversing along the ridge line.
The ridge looks down onto Brothers Water and back up along the Kirkstone Pass. These views gave a pretty good advance notice of the rain that came down during the ascent. It also showed that these were to be intermittent but heavy if they struck.
Per Wainwright the highest point is a grassy knoll adjoining the top of a cleft spliting Gill Crag, but the usually accepted summit is 200 yards north east. No idea why, the top of the cleft is by far the best spot.
There’s time to enjoy the views as the rain halts, although the Fairfield range is under cloud. Its is good to know that I will not need to make this detour on the horseshoe, as it is definately a big drop down and climb back up if it was done.
The walk back down just retraces steps, which gives lovely vistas back down to Paterdale.
