Online Fellwalking Club - Mellbreak's Secrets

Mellbreak's Secrets

Written by Peter Burgess

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Distant Great Gable

Having spent three exhilirating walks, during three days, in three completely different circumstances I had one more day to round off my four in Lakeland. In matter of fact, this trip was action packed and today was to be no different. With a kind offer from Roger and Ann Hiley, an ascent of a fell near their beautiful home was very much on the cards. Roger had been interested in AW's ascent route he christened 'Pillar Rake', on the fell's eastern flank. On closer inspection we worked out the line of ascent and so it was decided we would include this route but use it as a line of descent on return. (If you want to see the AW description see it in Book 7, The Western Fells, Mellbreak 6.)

Roger on the ascent

The walk commenced in good weather although it was obvious, even at low level, that it might be windy without shelter upon the summit ridge. Passing the Kirkstile and crossing the bridge, we soon left the pastoral tranquility of the Loweswater valley and were subjected to that aerobic workout that is referred to as the 'direct route'. After recent heavy rainfall the short fan of scree described by AW had been washed out further and the usual route has suffered a lot of gully erosion. However, the main sections of path are well graded and we were soon climbing to enjoy those fantastic views north over Loweswater, Low Fell and the Vale of Lorton. Like my own dear Pendle of childhood, Mellbreak is the kind of place often overlooked by many but that has a strong affection in every local's hearts.

Silhouette

We witnessed an impressive shadow cast by the fell as we ascended, making it look like a dolomitic giant and I was interested in the location of earthworks passed earlier on the lane. The whole notion of old trade routes using the lakes and long abandoned ways is of interest to me. Roger said it was somewhere to store goods before it was moved on. The 'fortlet' or whatever it appears to be, strategically sits at the foot of Mosedale skillfully making use of the topography to ease it's construction. In matter of fact the 'E' shaped nature of the works suggests a defencive line or at least somewhere to screen or lay behind. Having said that Mosedale is a rather boggy and impractical a passage. An 1821 map I have indicates a castle but more likely the site of Kirkhead with its courtyard layout. This is definitely a feature worthy of greater investigation.

North Top

Once onto the north summit we decided on a visit to the southern which is fully justified with its gorgeous prospect of Buttermere and surrounding fells. The wind was fierce and we soon sheltered on the leeward slope pausing to take photographs across Low Ling Crag battling hard to keep the camera steady - that was due to Harry and Bethan and not the wind!

Summit march

Our adventure was not yet over and our descent of Pillar Rake awaited. The name sounded good and when we followed our eyes to the small notch in the skyline we were not dissapointed. Compared to Pikes Crag or The Napes it appeared but a kitten, yet the sudden appearance of clefts and pinnacles was rather amazing. There's something about a route across the flank of a mountain such as the Climbers' Traverse, or the Corridor Route and here it was in absolute miniature. Granted, the rock was all nicely festooned with heather, few rock climbers would even look at it and the descent across the rake was over in minutes but it was a revelation and personally the best bit was yet to come.

Mellbreak pinnacle

Greatly frowned upon nowadays and often blamed for severe erosion on the scree run of Pike o'Stickle for instance, I like many other runners in the past, loved nothing more than getting off the fells by scree running. By a combination of your own weight and the conveniently sized stones you could easily plant your feet and propel yourself down at quite a speed. The only danger being to kick a stone down upon a colleague down in front.

Scree Slope

So it was today, both Roger and I felt like guilty school boys as we came off Mellbreak in this fashion. Not that we really had much choice. The fell here is immensely steep and elsewhere it was deep heather and hidden rocks which would not have been a wise line of descent at all. In all honesty it was an exhilirating end to the walk but one I certainly wouldn't recommend in ascent. It was a great end to a great walk to a great four days. As for Mellbreak it reignited my interest in this forgotten realm of Nicholas Size's 'The Secret Valley'. You should go there some time but can you keep the secret?

AV Presentation from the walk:

My 101st Youtube Video
When I uploaded this presentation today I realised it was my 101st to Youtube. It's been a great enjoyment making these short 'movies' from around the globe and surprisingly they've received 45000 hits. I'll keep making them. Thanks for the inspiration and the support it's much appreciated.

Bookmark with:

What's this?

Fellrunning's Links

Send Peter email

"I'd just like to say what a great weekend it has been and thanks to everyone who made it such a great time." Liz Lemal on the Honister 2007 weekend

Fellrunning's Links

Join Us