A very remote walk from Swindale Head alongside Mosedale Beck to Grey Crag, Tarn Crag (Longsleddale) and back via Branstree, Selside Pike and the Old Corpse road
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Parking - As far as you can go down the Swindale Head road
Fit and raring to go
A peaceful walk along the road towards Swindale Head
Plenty of wildlife for those that know where to look
Looking back (Swindale Beck) to where we started from. Now to climb up the head of the valley
On the ascent
To cross or not to cross - still not sure which is best - but we did anyway
This little lizard popped up to greet us
At this point we spotted a pair of Buzzards leaving the trees - As I've been attacked by a buzzard before, I was keen to make sure we didn't attract too much attention from them so we had our lunch just inside the very small wood. It was the only cover for miles around so better safe than sorry. I believe buzzards are territorial and if they have young chicks they do warn you away.
Fortunately we had a guide who could tell us which way to go, by studying the moss on the trees - "no need for those GPS things" - we were certainly in safe hands today
We said farewell to our pleasant lunch spot and continued our 'off track' gentle ascent towards Harrop Pike
Again, looking back
Arriving at Harrop Pike
Harrop Pike summit
Soon after Harrop Pike we reached Grey Crag summit
Again, with views of the Longsleddale side of the Kentmere Horseshoe
Looking back the route we had walked from Harrop Pike
Tarn Crag (Longsleddale) summit
The impressive 80 year old survey point built for the construction of longsleddale tunnel conveying the aquaduct from Haweswater.
Heading up Branstree looking back towards Tarn Crag. This was a bit steeper than I remembered
Onwards and upwards towards the top of Branstree
Branstree summit
Haweswater with Kidsty Pike and High Raise behind
Pondering Done - Time to get back to the car to meet up with Ste who had decided to opt out of doing Branstree & Selside Pike and take the lower level route back down Swindale Head via Mosedale.
Roberts quest to complete all the Wainwrights continues - another 80 to do I think.
Selside Pike summit
Selside Pike summit
Heading towards the Old Corpse Road
Heading down the old corpse road towards the Swindale road
The path winds its way down to the old farm building in the centre of the photo - then turn left back to the car park
Cute
After a 20 minute wait - speedy Gonzalez decided to appear (with the car keys !). Apparently bird and deer watching