Small Water, Mardale

The weather just held off for our first walk of the week in the Lakes. It was a long drive from Keswick to the head of Haweswater in Mardale in Wainwright’s Far Eastern Fells. Views were limited by low cloud base and hazy visibility. The extra is Haweswater from near the summit of Harter Fell. Haweswater is a reservoir providing water to Manchester and still remains low.

We’ve read about Mardale in the book Wild Fell by Lee Schofield in which he details the tribulations of trying to regenerate the valley in partnership with the RSPB and United Utilities. Well worth a read if you’ve not already done so.

Our first objective was Harter Fell via Gatescarth Pass. Duly accomplished allbeit slowly as I struggled to gain my mountain legs on the ascent. From the summit we descended to Nan Beild Pass and and out and back “dash” to bag Mardale Ill Bell, descending again to Nan Beild and past Small Water back to the car.