Hills: Barrow and Outerside
Date: Friday 31st December 2021
Company: Just myself
Distance: 11.3km, Ascent: 575m
Time: 3Hrs 30Mins
The weather forecasts for today were not
wonderful. MWIS suggested 40-60mph winds with sudden gusts, and the
MetOffice suggested gusts in excess of 70mph atop Scafell Pike and in excess
of 60mph on nearby Grisedale Pike.
Based on the MetOffice's suggested
wind direction, on pondering over the map I suspected Barrow and Outerside
would be sheltered from the wind by Causey Pike and Scar Crags. I therefore
set out to ascend Barrow and Outerside with a view to then dropping down to
Coledale Beck to return to the car. As is often the case, the MetOffice are
not to be trusted when it comes to forecasting the weather - their stated
wind direction was incorrect.
For this walk I parked in a small car
park off the B5292 above Braithwaite. I also parked here four months
previous to undertake a traverse to Buttermere taking in Grisedale Pike,
Grasmoor and several other Wainwrights.
Route:
From the car park I walked the B5292 down to Braithwaite. Seeing prayer
flags across the Coledale Beck really made my day. A wonderful splash of
colour on an otherwise dull and dreich day. Apart from the prayer flags in
my campervan, these were the first I have seen since being on top of a
Himalayan peak in Ladakh.
Prayer Flags over the Coledale Beck:
During the initial ascent I passed a lovely 'seat with a view' looking
down to Braithwaite.
A seat with a view:
The ascent of Barrow's NNE ridge is nice and easy up a wide grassy track
through the bracken.
Ascending Barrow:
Given the number and depth of the footprints on the path, this is
obviously a popular ascent/descent route.
Ascending Barrow:
During the ascent it was nice to see Dodd appear out of the cloud. I
ascended Dodd in spring on my first of three week-long visits to the Lakes
in 2021.
Looking back towards Braithwaite with Bassenthwaite Lake and
Dodd beyond:
At the lowly 455m summit of Barrow it was incredibly windy. At one point
I was physically moved a foot or two by the wind. Given the windspeed would
be even greater on gaining more height, and given the windspeed was meant to
peak later in the morning, I ruled-out extending the walk to potentially
also take in Causey Pike and Scar Crags. I would be sticking to my original
plan.
At the summit of Barrow:
From the summit of Barrow, I followed the good track towards Stile End
and Outerside. I could see an excellent track skirting round the side of
Outerside so decided to use this track to gain some more height instead of
taking a more direct approach up its trackless NE face.
I sometimes
think I am a bit mad walking in all weathers so it is always good to see
there are loons madder than myself. Fell runners definitely fit into the
"loon" category. While I was togged-up with boots, fleece and waterproofs a
couple of fell runners ran past me wearing little more than their underwear
.
Outerside from Barrow:
Outerside:
As per the summit of Barrow, the summit of Outerside was also somewhat
breezy but it was also now p'ing down despite no rain forecast.
Outerside summit area:
From Outerside I followed a small track heading down towards Coledale
Beck.
Descent towards Force Crag Mine:
I could see that the track led to an unbridged crossing of Coledale Beck
which looked wide as well as being in spate. I therefore left the track
making my way towards the base of Force Crag. I could see that the Coledale
Beck was fed by several smaller streams and it would be easier to cross
several smaller streams than crossing them once joined.
Force Crag:
I managed to locate a section with a small island in the middle allowing
for one large stride and one leap.
Unbridged crossing:
Once safely across Coledale Beck I decided to take another small
diversion to reach the base of one of the Force Crag falls.
Force
crag waterfall:
Looking back to Force Crag waterfall:
I next passed Force Crag Mill. I have to plead ignorance in not knowing
the purpose of this building so it was useful to find a nearby information
sign.
Force Crag Mill:
Force Crag Mine was the last working mineral mine in the Lake District.
Lead, Zinc and Barytes were mined here for 130 years. This is a Site of
Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Scheduled Monument by English
Heritage.
Force Crag Mine
information board:
Next to the mine there are two large pools which are signed, "Force Crag
Mine Water Treatment Works". I guess these are used to help reduce the high
mineral (lead) content in the water.
Force Crag Mine water treatment
works:
Disused mineshaft:
As anticipated, the walk back out alongside Coledale Beck was pleasant and
sheltered from the wind. I passed numerous other walkers and cyclists on
this track who I think were all just staying low-level.