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GREAT DODD (55) - WATSON'S DODD (56) - STYBARROW DODD (57) - HART SIDE (58)
Scroll down to view the photographs after the report or click here The weather forecast wasn't too promising when I checked it the night before. However, after last weekends outing was cut short on reaching Hart Crag because of bad weather, I was determined to get out again no matter what! I was heading over to Ullswater to tackle the Dodd's; Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd, along with the (D)odd one out (sorry!), Hart Side. AW suggests ascending Great Dodd from Dockray, but because parking in the village is discouraged, I choose to start my ascent from High Row, just a mile to the north-west of Dockray where, at the end of the old coach road to Threlkeld (GR 381219), there is a National Trust car park adjacent to a sheepfold and a gate giving access to Matterdale Common. I arrived at the deserted car park at approximately 9.00am in bright sunshine. The day looked promising despite the forecast! I was soon booted-up and heading through the gate passing alongside the sheepfold. Joining the old coach road I would leave it almost immediately to follow the grassy track off to my left for a steady climb to the small cairn on High Brow. It was a pleasant, grassy route to High Brow and from here my route for the day lay before me, with my next objective, a little outcrop of crags on Randerside, a short distance away. Heading for Randerside meant continuing along a pathless route over boggy sections of grassland, hard going for most of the way because of the clump-forming nature of the grass, and passing peat hags along the way. In places, gaping holes were evident where underwater streams had eroded the soft earth above and creating a possible hazard if you're not paying attention! Thankfully I made it past these natural hazards (I must have been paying attention!) and was soon clambering up and over the craggy outcrop of Randerside to reach the cairn on the grassy top with the curved bulk of Great Dodd as a backdrop, along with the cone-shaped rock outcrop of Calfhow Pike poking up over the shoulder of Great Dodd. Onwards to Great Dodd following a more defined path climbing gradually over the curved shoulder of the fell. Great Dodd is one of those fells that seem to go on longer than expected! Just as you reach what you think is the top of the curve, you find it continues a little further. Cairns along the way also trick you into thinking you are nearing the summit but, eventually, the unmistakable summit cairn comes into view and I'm soon at the top of my first Wainwright of the day, Great Dodd 2,807 feet (856 metres). AW mentions in his book that the summit is marked by a naked stone thrusting through the turf, but today is marked by a larger cairn but the hollowed-out stone windbreak is still there a short distance away to the south-east at a slightly lower level. There were hazy views over to Derwentwater and Keswick with cloud forming on some of the nearby fells. Was the weather about to change I wondered. I could see my next fell, Watson's Dodd, less than a mile away and headed off across an easy path (with Thirlmere also coming into view off to the right) and virtually no height gain to contend with. In fact, it was so easy going that I found myself jogging along at a steady pace just for the fun of it. What next, fell running! Watson's Dodd summit cairn, 2,584 feet (788 metres), was soon reached presenting me with better views of Thirlmere below and my next fell, Stybarrow Dodd again less than a mile away to the south-east. I had my usual rest stop at the summit and a quick bite to eat, just enjoying the views and soaking up the atmosphere. So peaceful and quiet. As I set-off for Stybarrow Dodd I caught a glimpse of a lone walker following in my footsteps from Great Dodd, the first person I had seen since the start of my walk. As I made my way along the route, I then saw two other walkers coming off Stybarrow Dodd. It was getting like King's Cross during rush hour! As I was ascending Stybarrow Dodd and looking back along my route, I could see Great Dodd becoming engulfed in cloud until it was virtually hidden from view. The cloud seemed to be heading my way and so I quickened my pace in order to get to the summit before the views disappeared altogether. On reaching the summit of Stybarrow Dodd, 2,770 (844 metres), I found I only had limited views because of cloud rolling in from behind me too. The cairn not only consists of the usual rocks and boulders, but also has a single upright spike of blue slate protruding from the cairn. A nice change. There is also a circular stone windbreak to the north-east built from the stones of a nearby collapsed wall. I now had to head off into the cloud to make my way to Hart Side via White Stones or Green Side as it was in AW's day. The views were now non-existent and I was totally engulfed in cloud as I made my way across mostly pathless grassy slopes. AW states that this route is not recommended in mist! The weather was definitely changing for the worst as the predicted bad weather finally arrived. As I made my way towards White Stones two figures emerged from the mist coming towards me. They asked if they were heading in the direction of Stybarrow Dodd and I reassured them they were as I had just come off the fell. I, in return, asked them if they had just passed White Stones which they had, so I continued on my way until I eventually reached the cairns at White Stones. I had intended to make a short detour here to the edge of Glencoyne Head which, looking at the map, offered steep views down into Glencoyne and possibly views of Ullswater. Well, I decided against the detour as I didn't fancy walking off the edge of Glencoyne Head so decided instead to continue on into the gloom to make my way to Hart Side. Soon the summit cairn of Hart Side, 2,481 feet (756 metres), came into view, positioned alongside a curious ditch some one hundred yards in length, with the excavated stones cast up on either side. AW mentions evidences that men laboured on these lonely heights a long time ago and these ditches must be those 'evidences' mentioned by him. AW also mentions that the views are disappointing which made me feel a little better as the views today were non existent! There are a number of cairns on the summit, one of which is a little lower after my visit! I had decided to clamber up on to the cairn nearest the ditch where upon it decided to topple making me jump off backwards to avoid the rather large stones from landing on me! That'll teach me! After a short rest/food stop, I made my way off the fell heading for a wall which I would use as a handrail to guide me down towards Brown Hills. The going was across pathless grassland and was very hard going because of the clump-forming, tussocky nature of the grass around these parts. The wall eventually emerged out of the mist and this was followed to a stile in the wall. Crossing over the stile I continued to follow the wall until another stile was reached and where a well defined path leads off towards Swineside Knott. It was here, as I was losing height, that I caught my first glimpse of Ullswater through the cloud. It was a great sight to see and I could make out white sails of boats on the waters of the lake. This view didn't last though as the cloud closed in again and I was presented with a familiar white screen! I now had to contend with rain which progressively became heavier as I made my way over Swineside Knott and Common Fell. I had brief views of Ullswater along the way and realised that the views from along here would have been superb in good weather and visibility. Leaving Common Fell, I sighted a lone figure crouching against a wall obviously sheltering from the wind and rain. However, I decided to drop down to see if he/she was actually okay. It turned out he was as we exchanged greetings and I continued on my way eventually dropping down to Dockray. I followed a little beck before reaching a gate leading to a short walled lane. On passing through the gate I noticed a rather gruesome 'ornament' perched on the top of the wall which seemed to be the skull of a sheep. Maybe the landowner was trying to tell me something! The short walled lane lead to a junction with the main A5091 where I turned left and crossed a bridge spanning Aira Beck. Approaching The Royal Hotel the route turned left again, leaving the A5091, and passing Rose Cottage (I wonder if its a relative living there!), joins a quiet lane which leads, all uphill, back to High Row, and my car. There were a couple of other cars there now with people in various states of undress (males only!), drying themselves off. I too, was soon getting into dry clothes as the rain continued to fall. What a contrast to when I had started my walk! Still, it was good to be out in the Lake District again and another four Wainwright's bagged. Mind you, I wouldn't mind dry, clear weather next time, just for a change!
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