Lake District - Wainwrights: From Amboth Car Park on Thirlmere, ascended west between Cockrigg Crags and Fisher Gill to the ridgeline and High Tove (515m). Turned southeast to Amboth Fell (480m). Then southwest to Blea Tarn and up to Colbarrow Fell Lower Saddle, the High Saddle (675m). Then continued on to Ullscarf (726m). Turning back headed southeast to Standing Crag, dropped into the saddle turned east and dropped down into the valley and Thirlmere. Followed the lake side path north back to Amboth.
Total Time: 7 hours 16 minutes; Total Distance: 17.14km; Total Ascent: 1,508m; Average moving Speed 3.02kmph
Journey Planning
Weather: Reviewed weather forecasts from Met Office 'Specialist Forecast' for High Seat (nearest summit), and tracked MWIS forecast for Lake District and the regular 'Fleeting View' reports. Weather in the morning was mostly sunny, in the afternoon it was mostly cloudy with some periodic light rain. Pretty much to forecast.
A specific training intention for this journey was to use and compare the Harvey 1:40000 map primarily, but to compare with the OS 1:25000. The terrain along the summit ridge, which was fairly nondescript terrain. On the leg from High Tove to Amboth Fell I looked at the contours around Amboth Fell (from High Tove) to judge the distance/timing between the two, which, by looking and measuring on the 1:40000 map was right at 1000m. The contour profile at 1:40000 was fairly indistinct and difficult to identify a specific point that was Amboth Fell. The contour lines were not detailed enough to match the shape on the ground. However, on the 1:25000 map I was able to pick out a specific rock crag that I believed to be the specific point representing Amboth Fell and measured that with map and Romer at 940m. I also employed a new tool, which I have from past experience in long distance rifle competition, a Sig Saur Kilo2400 laser range finder. When I reached the rock crag on Amboth Fell I used the Kilo2400 and aimed back at the cairn on High Tove. The distance was 934m.
Navigation Planning: Used the OS Maps App on my computer to assess and plan the route. Printed and laminated the route map at A4 size for the journey. Carried an OS Explorer OL4 1:25000 map and a Harvey XT40,1:40000 map (large), and also a Harvey Ultramap XT40 Lake District Wet (small). I find the Ultrmaps to be very handy. Perfect size to lip into a breast pocket.
Safety and Risk: I carried my First Aid Kit, Blizzard Bag blanket, and a 4-6 person emergency shelter, as well as as my Garmin InReach Mini, with a 'Professional' level subscription. There is no cellular reception over large areas on these Fells and the InReach is a valuable emergency asset I also left a copy of the route plan at home.
Area :
Central Fells
The Vale of Keswick, provides separation from the Northern Fells whilst to the west runs the long valley of Borrowdale. The parallel eastern boundary is created by Thirlmere and the St Johns in the Vale. Grasmere to Windermere forms the remainder of the eastern boundary. In the west, Stake Pass descends into Great Langdale.
