Another visit to the Lakes and another long drive north setting off early (5am). The reason for the early start is to try and squeeze a walk in on arrival, thus starting our week away on the right foot, plus ticking off a Wainwright which I needed from my list. Last time we walked up Wetherlam (probably my most ambitious fell after the drive up), this time it was Bakestall, which is a much more sedate fell when walking in from Peter House Farm. The reason for this one being left was a walk that we did in November 2022 to Great Calva, which we’d cut short due to lots of rain, wet clothes and darkening skies. Despite the easier fell and walking route, after 7 hours in a car, any walk can feel like walking with weights on your legs. Still we parked up at midday easily on a Friday with no issues and set off (don’t let the doom mongers say you can’t park in the Lakes, you can with a bit of planning). The track out to Dash Falls is easy to negotiate and easy on the legs, at that point the terrain turns upwards for a short distance but the view improves to Blencathra which compensates. Once at the summit the only choice you have is how to descend, now I like a bit of a circular and was never going to go back the way I came, so we headed off west from the summit following the good path. I then cut off, a bit off piste, to the steep downhill back to the intake wall and gate and the track out. The lambs were everywhere on this walk, looking cheeky and then snuggling into mum where necessary. A perfect walk to setup a fantastic week in the Lake District, again.

Start – Peter House Farm

Route – Whitewater Dash falls – Bakestall – Cockup – Peter House Farm

Distance – 4.5 miles    Start time – 12.20pm   Time taken – 3hrs 20mins Highest Point – Bakestall 673 metres

Weather – Cloudy but some sunny spells