Cat Bells Sunset


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Cat Bells Sunset

9th August 2022

Other than update the website and take Holly and Brad for a walk I had no real plans for today but while driving home from Wasdale yesterday it dawned on me that I wouldn't mind returning to Lakeland for a sunset walk, trouble was I didn't know where to base it from.

Both Black Combe and Blencathra sprang to mind but I've done sunset walks from both summits, I wanted something new and that's when Cat Bells came to mind. The main issue I would encounter was parking, yeah I know it's a Tuesday evening but it's also the Summer holidays and parking anywhere near Cat Bells after 9am can be troublesome.

I'll just have to hope that all the adults and children are resigned to there hotel rooms, guest houses and campsites and if I cross my fingers and toes while saying ten hail marys I might get lucky and find a parking spot, worse case scenario I can always drive back to Scales and head up Blencathra, turns out I needn't have worried after all.

Wainwright Guide Book Six

The North Western Fells

Cat Bells Words cannot adequately describe the rare charm of Catbells, nor its ravishing view. But no publicity is necessary: its mere presence in the Derwent water scene is enough.

Overview

Ascent:	1,984 Feet - 605 Metres
Wainwrights:	2, Cat Bells - Maiden Moor
Visiting:	Skelgill Bank
Weather:	Warm & Sunny. Turning Cooler Towards Dusk. Highs of 24°C Lows of 18 °C
Parking:	Parking Spaces, Gutherscale
Area:	North Western
Miles:	5
Walking With:	On My Own
Ordnance Survey:	OL4
Time Taken:	3 Hours 30 Minutes
Route:	Gutherscale - Skelgill Bank - Cat Bells - Hause Gate - Maiden Moor - Hause Gate - Cat Bells - Skelgill Bank - Gutherscale

Parking Details and Map

Nearest Post Code:	CA12 5UE
Grid Reference:	NY 246 121
Notes:	There is room for around ten well parked cars at Gutherscale which is perfectly postioned for a quick walk up Cat Bells or a full day on the Newlands Fells. Leave the A66 for Portinscale and pass through the village before the entrance to Nicol End (Derwent Water) appears on the left, continue to follow the road which forks right signposted (Stair and Newlands Valley) Keep left here and continue to follow the road which sweeps around a right hairpin bend before passing over a cattle grid. The parking spaces will appear around 300 yards further on the left. Parking is free.

Map and Photo Gallery

Derwent Water, Blencathra, Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell from the ascent of Cat Bells 18:00pm 24°C

The original plan was to just head up Cat Bells and view the sunset from there but while I was out with Brad and Holly this afternoon I thought if I set off earlier I could include Maiden Moor too. I left home but hit traffic between junctions 37 & 38 on the M6 after a serious accident and while I was sat there the thought of including Maiden Moor was edging away. With hardly any time to spare and, if I found parking straight away at Gutherscale I'd have to hit the fell running and worked it out that I might still make Maiden Moor before returning to Cat Bells, but only just.

I followed two other cars from Portinscale and started to worry they were heading for Gutherscale too but both cars turned right at the junction for Stair and a few minutes later I drove straight into a parking spot which instantly settled my parking issue. Within no time I'd laced up my boots, shouldered my pack and was heading up the fell side while taking in the view over Derwent Water.

The Skiddaw Massif, Latrigg and Blencathra.

The path rose steadily from Gutherscale before arriving at the zigzags below the Thomas Arthur Leonard Memorial where after a couple of well placed strides I'd negotiated the rock step.

Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, Dale Head and Hindscarth from Skelgill Bank.

Skelgill Bank was soon gained where I learned there was only two other people on the fell and one of them was walking towards me.

Cat Bells from Skelgill Bank.

Last push on Cat Bells.

I know I shouldn't but I was keeping to a schedule for example if I summit Cat Bells by 7pm that'll give me an hour to reach Maiden Moor then thirty minutes to return to Cat Bells. I took this photo at 18:30pm

Bassenthwaite Lake, Skiddaw, Latrigg, Blencathra and Derwent Water from Cat Bells 18:40pm

Just a few glances at my watch told me I was ahead of schedule which gave me the green light to head to Maiden Moor.

Skiddaw, Blencathra, Latrigg, Blencathra and Derwent Water from Cat Bells summit 18:45pm

The guy I'd followed up was sitting down and I passed with a quick 'hi' I head then left and follow the path down from the summit before making the short descent towards Hause Gate.

"If there was only one person at the summit now happen I'll get the summit to myself when I return" That's what I was hoping for anyway.

Hause Gate, Maiden Moor, Hindscarth and Robinson from the descent of Cat Bells.

You might be wondering why I haven't included any photos over looking the Newlands valley and the reason for that was the sun was directly above leaving taking photos quite difficult in the evening light.

Looking back on Derwent Water from the ascent of Maiden Moor.

Rod was here last week and between emails I'd asked had the Heather started to bloom yet? "might be another week or so" was Rod's answer. Well, it's started to bloom and it smelled lovely up here this evening.

There is no greater feeling than being alone on the fell a couple of hours before sunset.

High Spy from Maiden Moor summit.

I'd crested the top of Bull Crag by 19:20pm and by 19:29pm I was stood at Maiden Moor's summit cairn. Again I know I shouldn't time myself but if tonights walk was to be successful my timings had to be spot on.

I took the engine out of gear, let it idle for a few seconds then removed the ignition key. Job done I can relax now.

High Spy from Maiden Moor.

I have a few minutes before I'm set to return so what else is there to do other than to stand in silence taking in my surroundings while listening to the sound of sheep in the valley below.

Cat Bells, Skiddaw, Latrigg, Blencathra and Latrigg from the top of Yewthwaite Comb.

I left the path just to take in this view of the old mine workings below before spotting the sheepfold below. It's in an area of Yewthwaite Comb not visible from the path and If I hadn't have left it I wouldn't have known it was there.

Taking my time as I descend Maiden Moor for Hause Gate.

With my foot off the gas I began my descent where I was passed by two solo fell runners then four mountain bikers carrying their bikes up the fell which looked like hard work and with just over an hours light left I wondered of their route.

Setting sun over the North Western fells.

During my descent I suddenly had a D'oh light bulb moment, my timings were incorrect as I explain. I'd given myself an 'easy hour' to return to Cat Bells then an extra half hour to watch the sun go down but I hadn't catered for the sun setting behind the north western fells first where I'll lose the light around fifteen minutes before expected.

It's no biggie, I'm well within my time limits I'm just glad I'd thought of it.

Light which the camera can't do justice.

Re-ascending Cat Bells from Hause Gate.

The light was gorgeous it's just a pity my camera couldn't capture it the way I was seeing it.

Looking over Newlands towards Wandope, Eel Crag (Crag Hill) Sail, Scar Crags, Causey Pike and Grisedale Pike.

It looks like I've got a good ten minutes before the sun disappears behind the mountains.

Looking back on Hause Gate, Maiden Moor, Hindscarth and Robinson.

It might be a Tuesday evening but it looks like a few people have turned up to watch the sunset, not to worry there's plenty of room.

The sun is setting right begind Causey Pike.

That's Grisedale Pike over to the right and Bassenthwaite Lake further right.

Causey Pike, Grisedale Pike and Bassenthwaite Lake.

There was a period between the sun going down and setting which proved difficult to capture as my camera just wanted to add light so I had to wait a while longer before I could capture the true effects. There's a few more people turned up now with about six at its peak and one very friendly Staffie who just wanted to eat my sandwiches.

The view over Skelgill Bank towards Skiddaw, Latrigg and Blencathra.

The reflections of light over Derwent Water was just breathtaking. The sun had officially set about ten minutes ago but my plan was to hang on until around 21:30pm

Causey Pike and Grisedale Pike silhouettes.

Bassenthwaite afterglow.

I'd packed an extra layer but it was still lovely and warm when I left the summit at 21:30pm and used what light there was left to descend without having to resort to my head torch. I'd left the staffie and its owner at the summit the rest had left minutes before me who were by now making their way across Skelgill Bank. The light continued to fade as I stood an watched a fiery afterglow erupt over Bassenthwaite before scrambling down past the Thomas Arthur Leonard Memorial by which time I really could have done with my head torch.

I could hear the A66 close by but more importantly I could see the headlights and red taillights of the cars travelling along it. Down the zigzags a small motor boat crossed Derwent Water before making its way to Nichol End leaving a gentle wake, then silence. A full moon hung over the lights of the Borrowdale Hotel as I watched brake lights disappear into the valley beyond. I could have stood there another hour just watching the day come to an end but I had a two hour drive home and I was starting to get hungry.