Walk 8 18. Birks LDW-125 (2041')(B4). St Sunday Crag LDW-022 (2759')(B4). Fairfield LDW-013 (2864')19. Hart Crag LDW-027 (2697')20. Hartsop Above Howe LDW-137 (1762')

Phil Judy Geoff Doug Hazel & Margaret walked 9.6 miles with 3420 ft of ascent

On the penultimate day of our stay in Patterdale with the Ryedale Walking Group I was able to encourage several walkers to accompany me on a walk in the Eastern Fells taking in Birks, St Sunday Crag, Fairfield (via Cofa Pike) Hart Crag.  We then returned along the ridge of Hartsop above Howe.  The day was fine and that coupled with the enthusiasm of the small group really made this a fellwalking day to remember.



Climbing Thornhow End en route to Birks - this is the view down Ullswater

We were on Birks at 1000z and I was dissapointed with the level of mid week activity to make just one contact with Sue G1OHH in Lancaster.

We moved on to St Sunday Crag above us and this was at least qualified for SOTA and WOTA with six contacts, the furthest being with Brian G4ZRP on the Wirral. We continued on, dropping down to Deepdale Hause and then made our way over Cofa Pike, the group having no difficulties in reaching the summit of Fairfield where we enjoyed our lunch.

Looking back to St Sunday Crag on the climb to Cofa Pike

We continued on to Hart Crag where a handfull of contacts were made, before we scrambled down the crags to head down the long ridge to Hartsop above Howe LDW-137, a section of this walk that I always enjoy. The final activation produced four contacts with John G0TDM, Geoff G4WHA/M (Penrith), Dave G6LKB (Ulverston) and G1OHH Sue in Lancaster.

Group Members Hazel, Phil G4OBK, Judy (XYL) Geoff and Margaret picture taken by Doug

In all 23 contacts over the five Wainwrights were completed. On reaching Patterdale we enjoyed a drink in the busy White Lion Pub before returning to the hotel after a truly enjoyable day on the fells.