The 214 Wainwright fells: without a car

Height: 2210 feet above sea level was suggested in the first edition, and that height has been retained in the second with an admission that it is approximate. The OS place a spot height on the summit at 670m, however, which is 2198′ a.s.l, making this in fact just lower than Loadpot Hill nearby.

Volume: Book 2 (The Far Eastern Fells)

Date climbed: First visit: 18th August 2011 (walk 42). Second visit: 1st April 2021 (walk 187).

Bagged as number: First round: 132 of 330. [ << Loadpot Hill (131)  (133) Steel Knotts >> ]

Second round: 270 of 330. [ << Steel Knotts (269)  (271-4) Devoke Water circuit (part) >> ]

Route of ascent and descent:  First visit: Approached on the ridge from Loadpot Hill, left on the ridge to Steel Knotts.

Second visit: Came up from Steel Knotts.  Descended back to the ruined hut, then down Fusedale to Howtown.

What Mr Wainwright says (from page 2 of his chapter): “The High Street range has largely lost its appeal to the walker by the time he reaches the twin grassy mounds of Wether Hill on the long tramp along its spine northwards, and there is nothing here to call for a halt. The top, scarcely higher than the general level of the ridge, is quite without interest….”

What I say: Wether Hill seemed completely incidental on my first visit, more so than its northerly neighbour, Loadpot Hill, which despite being just as flat-topped had it’s own individual character. Wether Hill’s summit cairn turned up barely before I’d started looking for it and the next eminence on the ridge in the direction of High Raise, known as Red Crag, seems to have more of a claim to full fell status.

Yomping up from Fusedale and back on my second visit gave the place a little more purpose and identity, and it was nice that the summit marked both Joe’s 50th Wainwright and my 600th (330 + 270). But no one is ever going to claim that this is an exciting member of the canon: though the views are reasonable.

[ << Wet Sleddale Horseshoe     Wetherlam >> ]