A burst of light breaks through the overcast sky, picking out the details on High Crag’s (744 m/2,441 ft) shoulder.
Though definitely more pedestrian than Wasdale, Buttermere is no less spectacular.
As part of our mid-winter break, Lisabet and I took advantage of the improving weather conditions to head into the Northwest lakes. The valley of the River Cocker contains three lakes, with Buttermere sitting at the head of the valley, then Crummock Water and Loweswater further back respectively.
There is a path all the way round the lake allowing one ample opportunity to enjoy all the views this small lake has to offer, especially looking east-by-southeast towards the pyramidal Fleetwith Pike (648 m/2,126 ft) and the knuckly Haystacks (597 m/1,959 ft).
Afterwards, once we’d adequately refilled, we carefully navigated over the precarious Newlands Pass and dropped down into the Newlands valley. There were a few compositions in particular that I wanted to find and grab; happily, we also made friends with a farm horse along the circuit of the valley bottom.
Always have some spare apples with you.
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The cascades of Sourmilk Gill, dropping 400m/1,300ft from High Stile (807 m/2,648 ft) above.
Soumilk Gill from its foot, which exits right near the shores of Buttermere.
My little Lisabet, crouching by the shore of Buttermere to get a composition. Looming in the distance is the beautiful Fleetwith Pike.
Two older hikers make their way to the shore of Buttermere with Fleetwith Pike in the distance.
Out of the woods and into the open fellside. Fleetwith Pike remains steadfast in our view, but Haystacks starts to make an appearance towards the right.
Getting closer towards the head of the valley, known as Warnscale Bottom. Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks make a stunning pair on the skyline.
A better look at the fist-like summit of Haystacks, Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fell. To the right of the fell is a little nook called Scarth Gap, which is a steep bridleway allowing access into the next valley: Ennerdale.
Looking south from the head of Buttermere, a burst of light illuminates some trees and a hiker near the shore.
Sunlight escapes through the clouds, highlighting the details in High Pike’s craggy foot. The ancient woodland at the shore of Buttermere continue getting battered by the high winds and waves.
The setting sun illuminates the eastern shore of Buttermere with Fleetwith Pike looming large above.
Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis . To my mind, the first sign that spring is on its way.
An expansive view of the western section of the Newlands valley, shot from near the summit of the Newlands Pass. In the distance, Blencathra (868 m/2,848 ft) catches some golden light from the setting sun.
One of the compositions I’ve been after for some time. Shot from the eastern section of the Newlands valley near Little Town, the fell path gives way to a spectacular view of Scope End (412 m/1,351 ft), Hindscarth on the left (727 m/2,385 ft), and Robinson on the right (737 m/2,418 ft).
The last of the day’s light, streaking across the multi-faceted face of the Skiddaw massif (931 m/3,054 ft).
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