02/12/23 - Cat Bells from Little Town

The first snows of Winter for my 84th Wainwright

Things could have been worse. By the end of the day, the good people of Ambleside, Coniston and Grasmere are opening villages halls to house stranded motorists.

Coniston, Lake District this afternoon.#uksnowpic.twitter.com/YYvWNhQwyL

— MetWatch ☈ (@MetWatchUK) December 2, 2023

We're only 15 miles away in Keswick and after a fun packed, three generational weekend of good food, wine and well rehearsed Karaoke routines are only slightly jealous that we couldn't have extended the time away by being snowed in.

The dusting did present minor issues. 

"Where to park?" is always a concern in the Lakes. The guide book says Hawes End, which Google Maps shows as "Permanently Closed". So we hatched a plan. Mrs M to drop me off at Little Town and I'd complete a linear walk back to Keswick. The single track lane became increasingly hairy - so we both decided I would be dropped off underneath Barrow, increasing the walk-in distance but leaving us with a better chance of transportation back to Worcestershire.

She abandoned me

 Just the one Wainwright to conquer.  Cat Bells.  My 84th.

Cat Bells is a fell in the English Lake District in the county of Cumbria. It has a height of 451 metres (1,480 ft) and is one of the most popular fells in the area. It is situated on the western shore of Derwentwater within three miles (five kilometres) of the busy tourist town of Keswick. Its distinctive shape catches the attention of many visitors to the Lakes who feel compelled to climb to the summit after seeing it from the viewpoint of Friars' Crag on the opposite side of Derwentwater. The Lake District writer and walker Alfred Wainwright acknowledges the popularity of Cat Bells among fellwalkers of all abilities by saying:

"It is one of the great favourites, a family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together, a place beloved. Its popularity is well deserved: its shapely topknott attracts the eye offering a steep but obviously simple scramble."

Getting access from Little Town proved inspired. A slow and steady climb up Yewthaite Combe, an easy route.  

Crossing Newlands Beck to get to Little Town

Looking West from Yewthwaite Comb

First glimpse of Derwent Water.  No boats running in December

Looking South, back at Cat Bells on the descent

The Cat Bells Toposcope

The descent was much harder.... I have all the gear but little idea, with walking poles and two different types of spikes left at home. As undignified as it was, a fair amount was down on my backside. Slippage, and I would have taken any number of other walkers out - who are all coming from the Keswick direction.

Hawes End reached, where a handy man in a van with Google Pay sells coffee, warming hands for the Cumbrian Way to deliver me back into town through Lingholm.

Where the pubs await.

Saved for another blog but with a sneak beer board preview;

Don't worry - I didn't

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 2

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold 56 North and West Lakeland, Walk 6