For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

This is not the Wainwright version of a circuit of Devoke Water it was only ever intended to be a bit of a tester for my knee on rougher ground. The walk started fine with a gentle uphill stroll to Rough Crag enjoying fantastic views all the way. A gentle descent and re-ascent then took us to Water Crag and then down to the outlet from Devoke Water, Linbeck Gill. After following the gill down for a while to see the cascades we made our way to the "fording point". Here it all went pear shaped. Edith was more than a little reluctant to cross, the stones were just under water and a bad experience fording a stream in Scotland a few years ago came flooding back. I crossed and re-crossed to show it was ok but to no avail other than a bootfull of water which lightened the situation but in the end we decided to return along the northern bank of the tarn. In retrospect it would have been easier going back up Water Crag so rough was the ground and not a little wet. Anyway to the pictures.....

We had parked the car just off the Birker Fell road and after only a few yards left the bridleway to the tarn to get up on the ridge towards Pike How. Fantastic views of Crook Crag and Green Crag overlooked by Harter Fell.

A close of Bowfell and the Crinkle Crags

A very easy stroll up to Rough Crag on this path.

Lots of excuses for stopping with views like these

Looking over the Eskdale Fells to Whin Rigg & Illgill Head, Kirk Fell, Great Gable (just), Scafell and Slight Side

Nearing the summit a look back to Harter Fell with the Coniston Fells behind. The path we had followed is just visible to the left of the pointed rock.

The other side of AW's circuit of Devoke Water takes in White Pike, Yoadcastle and Woodend Height plus Seat How which is not shown here.

Nearly there.

Summit cairn on Rough Crag

The way forward to Water Crag. It was very hazy on the water and therefore no views.

Summit views

Seat How with Hesk Fell behind

A look back to Rough Crag as we make our way to Water Crag

Near the summit of Water Crag

Muncaster Fell.

Looking towards Ravenglass with the Eskmeals railway viaduct just visible

Water Crag summit cairn looking Ne'ly to Scafell and Bowfell plus companions

Looking to Harter Fell

Descending from Water Crag towards Linbeck Gill....bit wet in places

All is still well as we descend with this view of Caw over the tarn.

Some cascades in Linbeck Gill. I remembered these from a walk I did in the early 90's when I climbed out of Eskdale and over Brantrake Crags.

A lovely view but previous to this the walk went pear shaped as mentioned in the introduction. There is a path of sorts along the northern bank but it's very wet in places.

In retrospect, always an easy option it would have been easier to have climbed back up onto Water Crag.

Seat How ahead, path nowhere but it was quite fun. My only concern was for my knee because it was quite rough in places.

I think we even startled the geese (Bar-Headed I think) by coming this way

Across the water two cars have driven up the rough track and the occupants seem to be having a picnic.

A puzzle now......There are a  number (well at least three) of these short walls probably no more than 15-20 feet long and I can offer no explanation for them. I doubt that they are sheep bields because they end in the water and the ground arond them is saturated. Oh the joys of discovery!!

Finally we made our way around the top of the tarn and onto the bridleway

A short walk along to the two story boathouse and ruined stable.

Walking back to the car now with Rough Crag ahead

"Ain't life great.....are your feet dry yet Edith?"

And finally....back to the car

Next Walk:      9th August 2009 - Lake District - Witherslack walk

Last Walk:       6th August 2009 - Local - A walk along the River Lune

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