I took advantage of a great forecast, took the day off work and headed north to Mardale Head but for a change I wasn't climbing my beloved High Street but Branstree, yet another summit plucked from my lock down 'to do list'

Todays walk is almost identical to Birketts 'Branstree' route with the exception that I won't be visiting Brown Howe whose summit looks down on the ruined Peat Huts over Mardale Head. There's many reasons why I fell for this route from the ascent of Branstree north ridge to seclusion of the far eastern fells but the main reason had to be the view of High Street and the Rough Crag ridge which, comes a close second to climbing High Street herself.

The walk starts from the parking spaces close to Rowantreethwaite Beck which is pretty steep straight from the off, the going eases once two more ruined Peat Huts are passed close to the top of Hopgill Beck but don't let the gentle gradient fool you, Branstree north ridge is mostly pathless and made up of three false summits before the actual summit is reached from where the hardest work is all behind you. From Branstree I head north easterly over High Howes soon followed by Selside Pike before descending back to Mardale via the Old Corpse Road.

Despite the warming temperatures the far eastern fells had a covering of high cloud which traced across the skies helped along by generous winds. For the first time in memory I drove to Lakeland with the air conditioning on and once I arrived at the parking spaces not far from Rowantreethwaite Beck opening the door felt like I'd just stepped of the plane in some exotic country, the heat along with the humidity was climbing and kitting up behind my car was enough to start beads of sweat running down the side of my face.

It's a quiet morning with the exception of the squawking gulls on who circle Wood Howe island and from what I can see a mile or so up from Mardale Head the car park isn't yet half full but given todays sweltering conditions I'm expecting that to change over the next few hours. With my hands sanitised for the first of many times today I left the car and started walking towards the wooden gate from where the steep climb alongside Rowantreethwaite Beck begins.

Rowantreethwaite Beck marks the start of the walk where I pass the formentioned gate, sanitise my hands again before starting the steep grassy ascent towards Hollow Stone.

It seems strange how I was overcome with butterflies flying around my stomach as I approached Branstree summit which I wouldn't have to myself as a woman who I'd observed from Selside Pike was also approaching about forty yards behind me, we shared a friendly hello over the summit breeze then went on to have a social distance chat which lasted close to half an hour mainly about walking the fells after lock down.

I don't normally stop to eat when walking alone usually I will wait until I've returned to my car but today I extend my stay whilst enjoying the tranquility of the far easten fells whilst watching a summit breeze ruffle the wild grass like waves over water.

The morning was hotting up quite nicely and the summit breeze helped to keep things cool as I made my way down towards High Howes first stepping over the wire fence which was low enough that I didn't have to use my hands and high enough not to threaten my undercarriage!!

For some reason my legs burned during the short, yet rather steep ascent on Selside Pike and by the time I'd reached the summit I was just gaining my breath back. I had the summit to myself and scoured the skyline for movement spotting nothing except the couple who I had just been speaking who by now were passing over High Hows summit.

I down pack and check how much hydration I have by roughly running my hand up and down the bladder in my pack finding I had a good one and half litres left which mean't I was half way through my hydration which also meant I could guzzle at free will seeing as I was on the last leg of the walk.

Great memories always come flooding back when a few years ago the late Ron Black had me searching the upper end of Swindale for a fox barran that he had asked me to photograph, did I ever find it? did I heckers like.

Good times! I always spare a thought for Ron and chuckle while stood here.

It was by now midday and the temperature would soon be risiing towards the mid thirties and I was feeling pretty thankful that I wasn't about to tackle Branstree north ridge under such heat. By now the winds had eased and I found myself walking the remainder of the Corpse Road in sizzling heat which was overcome by taking long gulps of summer fruits through my bite valve.

With gooey lips and a tinged forehead I took in the last quarter mile back to my car whose roof appears like a mirage in the shimmering heat down below.