Grey Crag, Tarn Crag, Branstree & Selside Pike from Swindale Head

Parking near Swindale Foot, we were stunned by the number of cars here - We arrived in a large convoy with what we can only assume was a planned group outing. In all my previous visits to this spot, there's usually only a couple of cars. But today, there was 30 or so adults and children all planning on hitting the fells from this remote starting point.

Setting off towards Swindale Head along the country lane.

Gouther and Outlaw Crags can be seen on our left in the September sunshine as we walk in parallel with Swindale Beck..

Crossing Hobgrumble Gill - What a fantastic name for a small stream !

Selside Pike on the right of Hobgrumble Gill. It looks quite steep, but when we get round to walking over the top of it later on in the day, it is grassy and a reasonably gentle ascent from the West.

Looking over in the direction of the waterfalls of Mosedale Beck (Forces Falls) - It's possible this was the destination of the large group of walkers we bumped into earlier.

The Mosedale Valley (not the only valley in the Lake District with that name). This one is probably the least walked. Remote and generally wet and boggy with only limited walked pathways.

A wooden crossing over the Mosedale Beck, we initially crossed it but soon realised we were better off sticking to the right of it so we quickly stepped back over the beck to the other side . Easily done today, However, I would imagine that after long periods of rain it may not be quite as straightforward - although after long periods of rain I wouldn't choose to walk in this area anyway.

The upper valley of Mosedale Beck is also broad and boggy, containing a single building: Mosedale Cottage, a bothy supported by the Mountain Bothies Association and whitewashed to make it more clearly visible in poor weather. You can just make out the cottage here in the distance as we round Brunt Tongue and head towards Little Mosedale Beck.

A small copse of fir trees breaks the monotony of this bleak and barren valley - So we chose this spot to have our lunch as a nice rock lended itself for a suitable picnic spot - Nothing else in the immediate area to choose from mind. I was also keeping an eye above, as the last time I was here we were checked out by a Buzzard.

Onwards and upwards towards Harrop Pike. There's no paths here so it's generally hard going through the soft ground and long undergrowth. It's pretty much an unenjoyable slog, but I'm usually happy to do this walk this way to get all four Wainwrights visited without doing an 'out and back' anywhere. But, I'm not sure it's actually worth it - and by the amount of whinging I was getting from Paul, It may be a different route next time.

After what seemed to be quite a while of slogging uphill through the uneven terrain, we looked back to see our lunch spot. It looks like there has been a lot of recent tree planting around here, so this small copse may not be quite as isolated in years to come.

After quite a bit of huffing and puffing, we reached the cairn on the top of Harrop Pike. "Nice and easy from now on" as I attempted to console Paul. There is of course that little climb up Branstree a bit further on mind. Maybe best keep quiet about that.

All smiles now as the first Wainwright of the day is finally bagged (Grey Crag).

The summit of Grey Crag as it overlooks Longsleddale and Sadgill.

A hop skip and a jump and we were soon at the next fell summit (Tarn Crag) - Well, 20 minutes really.

Tarn Crag and it's survey structure, still in place after over eighty years following the construction of the Longsleddale Tunnel and the Haweswater Aqueduct South.

Looking over to the Gatesgarth Pass and a section of the Kentmere Horseshoe.

The descent from Tarn Crag did have a few boggy sections to negotiate near the bottom - As Paul found out to lighten his spirits still further. The path up the grassy Branstree can clearly be seen in this photo - It won't be long till we are nipping up there.

Branstree summit - "Is that it !!" exclaimed my walking partner - I quite like it if I'm honest, it makes a nice change and adds a small touch of character to a rather bland top.

Young kids on trials bikes - ripping up the soft ground. Would have got some choice words if I'd have got hold of them.

Haweswater comes into view as we walk along the very wide ridge towards Selside Pike.

Where did all those boulders come from ? Nothing lying around up here on this grassy terrain. Anyway - Our final summit for the day - Selside Pike.

Picking up and following the Old Corpse Road in the direction of Swindale Head.

Final descent to Swindale, soon we will pick of the country lane and head back to the car. A couple of beers and a teatime pub meal are planned next - It would have been the Crown & Mitre at Bampton Grange, but this seems to have closed now - So we'll call into the Greyhound at Shap instead.