To start my weeks holiday I planned a nice little fourteen miler covering much favoured ground amongst the High Street Fells. I guess every walk I plan has a reason behind it and on todays walk that was to take Caudale Moor's north west ridge or Rough Crag as it more commonly known and maybe even do a little exploring around Caudale Quarry which lies just a short walk away off the ridge.

I'm really enjoying my fell time at the moment with the exception of my Outlying walk project, I can walk spontaneously where and when I like but the lure of a long day spent on the fell is never far away and I can wholly put that down to my previous walking projects where I came to enjoy the tough long days. After picking up foot and knee injuries I said that it would be too much to take such walks on again but that didn't mean that every now and again I couldn't just pick out a route and let my legs and lungs do the rest.

It felt great knowing I'd be spending a full day on the fell again and dare I say, to have to train my mind-set on the long route ahead which in actual fact isn't as arduous as the figures suggest with most of the hard work behind me once I had summated Thornthwaite Crag before enjoying the views amongst my favourite Lakeland fells which only left me feeling one way.

I kinda felt like a kid in a sweet shop.

In anticipation to get to Lakeland this morning I woke a half hour before my alarm clock was due to go off so after checking the forecast one last time I got up and ready then set about loading the car. Being half an hour ahead I arrived at the car park at Cow Bridge around 07:20am after an uneventful drive north. I parked easily but was left angered by the inconsiderate van driver who had parked his van across three spaces, I mean why on earth would you do that on such a relatively small car park. I'm soon joined by a fellow walker who only mirrored my thoughts, admittedly nothing was said with the exception of 'morning' over the car roof tops but by the way he looked at the van I knew he was thinking exactly the same as I was.

It's lovely and mild with only the smallest hint of a nip to the morning air meaning my soft shell gets rolled up and packed away in my pack. If the forecast is to be correct it should start to brighten up soon but overhead all I can see is a gathering of high white cloud, I guess I'll take a rain check on that forecast for now.

With my car locked I shoulder my pack before passing the van which was still managing to churn me up inside all of which though was soon forgotten as I started to make my way towards Brothers Water. Further up the shoreline I spot an elderly gent photographing the waters reflections with his camera before he climbs back onto the path in the direction of Hartsop Hall. After a few moments spent on the shoreline I too climb back onto the path where I stop at a gap between the trees and survey my route into Caudale's north west ridge (Rough Edge) bracken obscures the lower reaches of the path but it's still traceable all the way from Brothers Water Inn.

Up ahead, Hartsop Hall.

Once Caudale Beck is crossed at a Ford the climb onto Rough Edge begins instantly accompanied by Caudale Beck where the path follows a steep groove through bracken. Once the ruined huts are reached I take time out to explore the old ruins finding lengths of old Iron track rusting in the grass, and further into the ruins the head of a shaft open to the elements whose entrance is covered by two old Iron gates.

The Quarry was worked right up until the 1930's and it's difficult not to spare a thought for the men who worked the Quarry day in day out, month after month year after year, it couldn't have been a pleasant life by any means.

I again lost light and visibility soon after leaving the summit but I was lucky enough to find myself in a break in the cloud where I watched the cloud roll in right over the top of Threshthwaite Mouth, this time the cloud was much thicker and the whole descent was done in loose visibility. My descent over Threshthwaite Mouth was again something that I had been looking forward too mainly because it had been sometime since I was last here where at times I could only see just yards ahead of me, oh well not to worry.

The rock was wet and was still slippery from the previous days rainfall which meant my descent didn't half require my full attention meaning precaution was key to a safe descent.

By the time I had descended the cloud had started to lift revealing Threshthwaite Mouth and soon afterwards the summit of Thornthwaite Crag, more great timing I thought.

I always enjoy the ascent from Threshthwaite Mouth to Thornthwaite Crag and todays ascent was no different as I picked my way up the rocky path which then plateaued once the summit shoulder was reached leaving a gentle stroll towards the summit beacon. Having stayed on this side of the summit wall I couldn't but help notice more cloud was on its way which continued to rise from the Troutbeck Valley.

The cloud thinned out but didn't clear properly until I crossed the wall not far from the little stone cairn which marks the route towards Mardale III Bell which I did think of also including but while I was still in cloud and without a hint of the III Bell ridge behind me I continued towards High Street keeping the stone wall to my left.

Up ahead I could see walkers heading from Mardale III Bell all heading for High Street, two of whom stopped at the stone wall who I passed with a 'morning' Further up ahead I pass another walker but while doing so I scare the poor fellow half to death as he hadn't heard my approach, we walk the last few yards laughing about it towards the summit trig point.

At the summit a woman is packing gear into her pack and starts chatting to the fellow while I try capture a few images before the fellow explains he would be heading back to Mardale via the Rough Crag ridge.

The woman who I later learned was from Preston is heading for The Knott and seeing as we left at the same time we struck up conversation along the way.

I was asked which was the best descent back to Mardale "Kidsty Pike or High and then Low Raise"? Both are great routes I explained but on a day like today I'd personally go with the Low Raise route.

The path leading towards Kidsty Pike was soon reached which was where I was heading next so after an 'enjoy the rest of your day' the lady then continued towards The Knott while I started the short ascent towards Kidsty Pike.

A nice lady who I never got the name of.

As it turns out the chap I have just met is having a break on the Lakeland Fells before starting a new job in Hull next week and believe it or not he's doing the exact same route as I am only in reverse, chances of that eh.

"There's a bus that'll take me back to Ambleside from the top of Kirkstone Pass, reckon i'lll get there by four he asked"? Aye I reckon you will, but if you do miss the bus you can always call in for a pint until the next one comes along.

It's starting to get quite busy now after passing two walkers both heading for Rampsgill Head and after turning around to have one last look at Kidsty Pike I noticed you couldn't find a place to stand on the summit all of whom started to head towards High Raise afterwards. The Knott however, appears deserted and I'll never understand why so many people stop at the wall below, then have a look up towards the summit then continue towards High Street without summating The Knott.

Anyway, that means today I'll get the summit to myself and if there's time, a quick breather too.

Surprisingly it was quite busy with around five people milling around the summit cairn and we swapped Hi's but more importantly they had taken all the dry spots ie; rocks on which to sit on, oh bugger never mind.

It looks like I'll have to wait until my next summit which will be Angletarn Pikes until I break for lunch.

This is where I left the path from the tarn to ascend towards the summit passing the north summit first which is only divided from the south top by just six feet.

Tired legs are starting to kick in now despite the not much effort needed to gain the summit I was fast running out of energy still not quite believing I hadn't eaten anything other than a Banana and a breakfast bar in the car this morning.

It's no good I'll have to stop and soon.

Having never used the Cat Crag route before I found an urge to pull away at times and make a direct ascent but my head told me to stick to the path which ascended gently all the way towards the summit cairn.

What a cracker.

Wowzers what a view! Okay I knew this would happen, the track is situated to the far left at the end of a stone wall which will descend me much gentler rather than if I choose to descend pathless.

Although if I take the cart track I'm going to miss out on this amazing view into Pasture Bottom...decisions decisions.

The descent was unforgiving but I split it up using the zigzags which was a little easier on the knees and soon I found myself on the lower half of the cart track. With the familiar Cattle Shed close by I followed a walled lane keeping the car park and the village to my left before the lane ended in the heart of the village. I kick my feet back into my boots and in doing so I can feel that my right boot lace is loose but there's no point in bending down to tie it so close to the car besides, I don't think I'll be able to get back up again.