Sunrise over Ennerdale

Bowness Knott summit cairn with the sun just on Great Bourne. The forest is now being cleared from around here opening up the views of Ennerdale.

First light on Crag Fell.

From here we headed by car to Loweswater to have our main walk of the day. Both Mellbreak and Hen Comb are two fells which sit on their own, not being linked by ridges to other fells. I had planned a walk which would combine them into one outing.

We parked at Church Bridge, Kirkstile and headed up the walled lane.

Before long we were on the lower slopes of Mellbreak looking back towards Low Fell and Fellbarrow.

Looking down on to the ancient earthwork alongside the walled lane.

The ascent of Mellbreak give great views over to Whiteside and Grasmoor.

Esther and the dogs take "a lovely peep around a corner".

Sunlight picks out the details of Grasmoor.

Even Zeta likes the look of Blake Fell but that's for another day.

Mellbreak North Top.

The summit cairn on the north top.

Taking in the first real sun of the week.

Zoe tries her luck.

Rannerdale Farm dwarfed by hills.

No route is straight-forward for me. from the summit I headed down to investigate Pillar Rake. This is the view looking down (Mellbreak 6)

and from the bottom of the rake looking up. If you follow AW's  ascent route in Mellbreak 6 you will climb up this steep and pathless grass slope after coming up the scree slope (bottom left) as indicated in his drawing.

I then regained the main ridge by ascending the rake and walking to the south top, seen here.

A great backdrop for a pose.

Even the sheep find it interesting.

Hen Comb, our next fell as we descend into Mosedale.

Crossing Black Beck to take up the path through the pass between Crummock Water and Ennerdale water.

Mosedale and the north top of Mellbreak.

Cloud over Whiteless Pike.

Red Pike about to be shrouded.

We hit the ridge between Floutern Cop and Hen Comb to get to the summit and this view of Buttermere.

Late afternoon sun as we descend Hen Comb via Little Dodd.

Hen Comb ridge casts its shadow on the flanks of Mellbreak.