Clough Head, Great Dodd, Watsons Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd and Hart Side circular walk

Wet and windy as we got our waterproofs on at High Row.

Joining the Old Coach Road as we head out into the gloom.

Clough Head became clearer as we slowly neared the most northerly member of the Helvellyn fells.

Still smiling as we enjoy the last bit of 'sheltered' walking before heading uphill.

The spiky outcrop on the northern flank of Clough Head is the definitive White Pike.

After a battering by the high winds and persistent rain, we reached the summit of Clough Head.

Looking over the soft ground towards Great Dodd

With the cloud beginning to lift, we were able to look back towards Clough Head.

A very bleak Great Dodd summit - Nobody around for miles, I wonder why?

There's a handy wind shelter on Great Dodd, time for a bite to eat with the benefit of protection from that very strong westerly wind.

Next stop Watsons Dodd over there. These summits are very close together, seemed to only take a few minutes to bag number three of the day.

Watsons Dodd

From the top of Stybarrow Dodd, Raise can clearly be seen on the other side of Sticks Pass, with the snow topped Helvellen in the background.

Green Side is straight ahead, but we are heading for the slightly lower summit of Hart Side which can be seen on the far left.

A glance to my left is Great Dodd - now clear of all cloud.

Hart Side summit with ever improving weather - we were almost dry now.

10 minutes later we arrived at the top of Birkett fell as we continued to head back down. Which way to go? We decided to turn right and walk alongside the dry stone wall, then left towards Dowthwaitehead.

Ullswater can be seen during our descent.

So can plenty of water following this mornings downpours.

A rather soggy and very slippery walk back down the grassy (and very soft) fellside.

After a few slips and slides, solid ground can be seen ahead with the farm and an access road to head for.

Crossing Aira Beck as we reach Dowthwaitehead and soon afterwards our car.

A Friday night out in Keswick was already arranged - so time to go and make myself look presentable.