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.

On Saturday the 7th June 1930 a young Alfred Wainwright travelled by bus to Windermere with his cousin. Their first objective when arriving in Windermere was to go up Orrest Head a recommended viewpoint nearby. What he saw that day changed his life and through him the lives of many others. To celebrate the 80th anniversary of AW's walk Peter Burgess of the Online Fellwalking Club organised a day out for members. The day was to start near Kendal at the Plumgarth roundabout where members could leave their cars and take a bus ride to Windermere. After the walk there was a meal organised. Due to my ongoing health problems we could not commit ourselves to the full itinerary but I said that if possible we would meet the group on the summit. This gave us the option of picking our route as the direct route from Windermere is not my favourite.

We left the car at the junction of the Moorhowe and Dubbs roads from where the small hill that is Orrest Head was visible over the wall.

We had plenty of time on our hands so decided to visit another little top. It meant walking along the road towards Troutbeck for a while but the road was quiet and we had views to the Coniston Fells to accompany us.

Taken from near the Longmire track looking over Low Longmire to Wansfell.

Here we are. The start of the path to Far Orrest.

To the left of the path as you walk to Far Orrest is a small lump. This is Allen Knott, it is now Open Access land but when we were last up here about 25 years years ago I suspect it involved a small trespass.

The views from it were just as good though even if a little hazy.

Into the sun looking down Windermere.

Another view of Orrest Head. By now the OFC should just be arriving at Plumgarth.

Having made our way down from Allan Knott we picked up the path to Far Orrest. We arrived to see that some entrepreneur had set up shop.

Far Orrest farm.

A great viewpoint and at around 600' a handy spot for drying the washing.

Looking back to Far Orrest with Allen Knot behind.

Our path continued over farmland on good paths towards Crosses Farm passing this delightful cottage.

Crosses Farm. From here we walked up the road just past The Causeway Farm.

The start of the path up Orrest Head. We would also descend this way with the OFC but would leave then at the wall corner.

Looking over to The Causeway Farm

And again from a little higher.

Almost there!

Looking N'wards from near the summit.

This is the view that AW would have seen all those 80 years ago.

"It was a moment of magic, a revelation so unexpected that I stood transfixed, unable to believe my eyes. I saw mountain ranges, one after another, the nearer starkly etched, those beyond fading into the blue distance. Rich woodlands, emerald pastures and the shimmering waters of the lake below added to a pageant of loveliness, a glorious panorama that held me enthralled." .....A Wainwright....Memoirs of a Fellwanderer.

At this point I would like to say in response to a couple of comments that I received after an earlier walk up here that there is no "hero worship" involved in doing this walk. Wainwright like most of us had a number of faults which are best left alone. This walk, at least on my part, was to pay respect to a man who through his guides which coincided with the country experiencing a better standard of living opened up the Lakeland Fells to the working man. On a personal note when I first walked the Lakeland Fells I had never heard of AW. It was a few years later that I noticed the Pictorial Guides in the shops and it wasn't until the 1980's when I was bought a boxed set that I even read them. Nevertheless they have guided many folk over the Lakeland Fells and long may they continue to do so.

"Those few hours on Orrest Head cast a spell that changed my life"

The Conistons tower over the Outlying Fell of Latterbarrow.

We had a while to pass before the OFC group were due.

The Crinkle Crags behind Pike O'Blisco with Bowfell to the right. The Roof of England is seen between them.

Caudale Moor (l) and Thornthwaite Crag (r)

The Langdale Pikes with a glimpse of Great Gable.

Eventually to the accompaniment of more noise than normal the Online Fellwalking Club members and dogs started to appear. Roger Hiley with Harry and Bethan was the first to appear chatting to Tracy. (For names of members I have not met before I am relying on other peoples info)

Closely followed my the founder of the OFC Peter Burgess then followed by the group photographer James Bell, Paddy Dillon and Mark Richards who are both guide book authors themselves, a partly hidden Beth, then Neil and after him John Paterson and Mary. There were others still coming up but by then I was chatting.

Small talk and big pictures are now the order of the day.

The "official" group pictures were captured by James Bell using a quite novel method. Here is a link to the website of James Bell Photography where you find pictures of Lakeland to take your breath away.

Follow this link to see James' pictures from the day. The 3rd one down is the interactive group shout....click HERE

After the pictures Peter says a few words about AW followed by 2 minutes silence in remembrance of those that were killed and injured in West Cumbria recently.

The group were to descend by the route we came up. We walked with them for part of the way.

Until the wall corner mentioned earlier where we left to make our way back to the car.

We made our way over to Common Farm where this little chappie was on guard duty.

From the car it was a short walk along the lane back to the car.

Once again, doing it from this side keeps the views.

And finally (well nearly)....back to the car.

Finally....We have been asked a number times why we don't get another dog. Well here is the answer.....Fluff, a 17 year old tom cat and pure evil. An old lady had to change the route she walked her Jack Russell after this monster lay in wait to attack. He gets combed 2 or 3 times a day and usually signals that he's had enough by trying to lay open Ediths arm......Offers Invited!!!

Next Walk:     10th June 2010 - Yorkshire Dales - Swaledale Meadows

Last Walk:     3rd June 2010 - Lake District - A Great & Little Langdale walkabout.

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