Perhaps not the first days of perfect weather this year but a stunning Spring jaunt from Kirkland over Cross Fell in a clockwise direction and back again in a comfortable four hours. Absolutely no-one around on the summit ridge. Not too wet underfoot either, just a few places where choice of line made a difference. On this occasion I had a day off from being a Mountain Leader and I was accompanied by John Moore and my dog JoJo who enjoyed lots of snuffling about in the grass. She reminded me of an ascent nearly twenty years ago with our previous Golden Retriever pup Corrie who was entertained for a while by the challenge of a cherry tomato at our lunch stop. No grouse to be seen this high up I presume because of the lack of heather but quite a few Curlew, Wheatear, LBJ’s, and I think the piping of an unseen Golden Plover.

The summit cairn / shelter is an impressive new affair and a super place for lunch with seating protected from all adverse wind directions. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photograph of it- will have to go back again! Shame!

Cross Fell is a Hewitt the highest English hill outside of the Lake District and much appreciated in these conditions. I can also recommend it as an evening walk to see the sunset if you are able to plan it. Navigating off the top in the dark  can be a challenge and in reasonable visibility a number of large cairns can be misleading so pay attention. My previous visit on a winter’s night was in rain and cloud and I have to admit, was not pleasant! In summer, however, there is always a lot of light after sunset to enable you to stroll north and west to pick up the good track down. Lower down we came across recent woodland planting along both sides of a little stream presumable to afford increased habitat for wildlife and maybe as a result of some agricultural grant or other.

Phil Tinning