3 Passes Variation

Saturday started like so many days this past Autumn and Winter. It was raining and cloud was clinging to the lowest fells. The forecast was for heavy rain, initially falling as snow above 600 metres. And again the forecast wasn’t far wrong.

So we opted for a variation on the so-called ‘3 passes’. The former takes a circular route from Kentmere; heading over into Longsleddale and then Mardale (Haweswater) before returning back to Kentmere. Its a good option for those wanting to stick to a relatively straightforward series of paths and trails and who want to get some climbing in, without venturing to the highest summits.

For our route, and to get some additional climbing in, we headed up Riggindale from Haweswater to bring us out on the summit of High Street from where we headed south to re-join the route at Nan Bield. It was a cold and very damp day.

The road to Haweswater end and car-park is currently blocked due to a major landslide.

At the summit of Gatescarth Pass as the rain turned to snow

The end of Haweswater. Looking back across to Harter Fell.

Difficult conditions as we approach High Street. It was a mix of rain and sleet at this point and soft snow underfoot.