I was sat in the New Dungeon Ghyll having my beer reward after climbing Bowfell in the safety of wifi, when a Facebook message came through from Ray. “Are you two out tomorrow?” With tired legs, I asked Dave and we said yes but not an epic walk. Ray asked what northern fells have I still left to do, so with a screen shot sent of my remaining NW Fells it was decided to do Knott Rigg and Ard crags.
We met on the A66 and left one car at the bottom of Newlands valley and then proceeded to Newlands hause to start the walk.
Was a steep ascent and surprisingly my legs didn’t feel too bad. I’m not on commission but the pacer walking poles certainly do help. The cloud was circling and as we reached the first summit of Knott Rigg couldn’t see very much and was very windy.

From here was a nice linear walk over to Ard crags. The cloud was starting to lift.
>

Knott Rigg wainwright 135.
>

As we descended Ard crags the cloud lifted to give views towards Causey Pike and Derwent water.
>

We decided to do another Wainwright, choices either Graystones or Whinlatter…We drove round to the Spout Force car park on Whinlatter. Had a car picnic, a brownie fix and decided to do Whinlatter. Off we went up the forest road. We were so busy talking that we missed the track up and had to back track.
It was a bit of a trudge up and the weather was coming in. The first summit was the Wainwright official top and then went on another 10 minutes to bag the actual spot height summit. Ray has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the fells and I’m going to learn all the spot heights of all the hills! Whinlatter no 136, 78 to go…
>

Then it was back the way we came to the car. Walkers reward was at The Middle Ruddings. Tanya had come to join us. Beer and a catch up and was time to say our goodbyes.
>