Walk 5510m 3020' ascentTime Taken 7 hours202. LDW-153 Lank Rigg 1775'203. LDW-094 Caw Fell 2287' 204. LDW-036 Haycock 2615'

Route taken by Phil G4OBK, Colin 2E0XSD and friend Geoff on 11th June 2011

We were very grateful the previous night when we spoke to Liz (soon to be M6EPW) and Colin (2E0XSD soon to be M0XSD) when they offered us a lift to the start of our linear walk from Ennerdale over the top and down into Wasdale, where we would spend our last night at Bowderdale Farm B&B.  Liz dropped us off at Whorl Gill NY 067130 and the three of us proceeded on what was a fine walk. 

Sellafield and the coast as seen on our walk

This part of the Lake District is less frequented than most as is the the Shap Fells, it may not be the most dramatic in terms of vista but I find this lack of people most satisfying.  We reached the summit of Lank Rigg LDW-153 in just over an hour, a trudge over moors where there was no path in evidence for the most part.  From the summit the view down into Worm Gill and the (Water) Intake Works below us and over to the Sellafield nuclear complex was quite spectacular. 

The view down below into Long Grain from Lank Rigg

We completed 9 contacts on VHF from here, including a chat to Brian G4ZRP down on the Wirral. We were quite pleased with that.  Our route took us down to the Intake Works and it was close to here that Colin found a panel which must have fallen from an aircraft. 

Colin with the aircraft panel

Leaving Lank Rigg at 1036am we reached Caw Fell at 1227pm - a two hour walk above the extensive crags of Caw Fell.  We stayed for 35 minutes and completed S2S contacts from there with M6MNT on Great Gable LDW-005 and with G4ILO who was on Binsey LDW-190. 

After moving across the ridge to activate Haycock (LDW-036 - 18 contacts completed) we turned right to head down to Wasdale with Colin later going straight on to then return back to Ennerdale where he would be collected by Liz.  By the time we reached Haycock Steve M6MNT/P was speaking from Base Brown LDW-117 and we exchanged reports. We followed this with another S2S QSO with Bob M3XJV/P on High Stile. On leaving the activation zone Colin remained on Haycock for some time eating his lunch. This enabled me to pick up a chaser point once we were far enough down from the summit. 

Three wise men on the summit of Caw Fell  LDW-094

Apart from Geoff filling his boot by going down to his thigh in a hole with one leg as we proceeded down by Little Lad Crag, the downhill walk back to Wasdale on a good path for the most part,  was quick and uneventful and we reached the Bowderdale Farm at 4.00pm. 

One of my favourite Wainwrights - Yewbarrow seen through the trees at  Netherbeck Bridge

After the poor food for the price and service at the Wasdale Head Inn earlier in the year we opted to drive to Nether Wasdale and eat at The Screes Inn. Our meals weren't bad but we felt that the meal we had in April across the road from the Screes Inn at The Strands Inn were far superior.