Borrowdale's Western Skyline, High Spy, Narrow and Maiden Moors ending with the ever popular Cat Bells on a glorious September morning, up before the crowds with the hills to myself, well not quite, I've seen Asda quieter on a Saturday afternoon than Cat Bells was this Sunday lunchtime.

With the remains of last nights cloud hanging over Borrowdale I left Seatoller to be immediately swallowed up by the morning mist, the views from High Doat were nonexistent, as I descended onto the Allerdale Ramble the cloud begun to lift presenting views over Borrowdale of the very best, my ascent followed the banks of Tongue Gill through the Rigghead Quarries to pass Wilson's Bield on route to High Spy, the quarry men must have been bloody fit blokes I wouldn't fancy climbing up there every day on my way to work. Leaving High Spy I made my way across the long ridge of Narrow Moor before crossing Maiden Moor, the descent to Hause Gate was followed by a steep climb to the very busy summit of Cat Bells and lunch, re-tracing my steps to Hause Gate I turned left (east) to follow a good path down to the road then on to the village of Grange, from where I followed the beautiful River Derwent back to Seatoller.

Borrowdale's Western Skyline.	back to list view route map
	On the steep ascent of High Doat with views back to Seathwaite in Borrowdale.
	On the summit of High Doat, I'm afraid you'll have to take my word for that.
	I'm now walking the Allerdale Ramble heading to Tongue Gill, the cloud has lifted, this was my first view of Castle Crag.
	Mouth-watering views across Borrowdale with cloud still hanging over the high fells.
	Ascending into the mists of time with only the ghosts of long dead quarrymen for company.
	The Rigghead Quarries, once owned by the Layton family, produced slate from levels deep cut into the mountainside, several adits are still open but very dangerous, even attempts to mine copper were made in the 18th century.
	Like a cork from a bottle I suddenly popped back into the 21st century, the confines of the quarries behind me the mist gone, I had stunning views to Dale Head.
	One of those magical Lakeland moments, cloud still hangs over Borrowdale but the hills to the west have their heads in sunlight.
	Impressive, the summit cairn High Spy.
	Grange Fell through a window in the cloud.
	The wonderful view across Maiden Moor with mighty Skiddaw clearly visible on the skyline.
	Looking back to Blea Crag from the descent to Maiden Moor.
	The summit Maiden Moor.
	From the slopes of Maiden Moor, breath-taking views to Cat Bells and Skiddaw above Keswick.
	Descending the path above Black Crags I rounded the corner, this view just stopped me in my tracks, Beautiful Derwent Water.
	From the ridiculously crowded summit of Cat Bells you can still have solitude, ignore the chatter and stare out to the ridges leading to Hindscarth and Robinson.
	Views across Newlands.
	Descending from Hause Gate looking to Blencathra across Derwent Water, with the wooded slopes of Walla Crag to the right.
	On the banks of the River Derwent.
	Looking to my ascent route now free of cloud, High Scawdel and Low Scawdel and the confines of Tongue Gill.
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