Fountains Fell, Yorkshire Dales

19 February 2006

So, time to leave the Lake District and return to London, but also time to stop off en route for another walk.  The weather was gorgeous with clear blue skies and the forecast suggested we would do better to stay north as it was overcast and wet further south. After a great deal of dithering, I finally made my mind up as the M6 hove into view to go straight across and on to the Yorkshire Dales and Fountains Fell. Last summer George and I visited Pen-y-Ghent, and now we would visit the fell on the other side of the pass.

Fountains Fell from the road

Yep, that's the one we want

As we ascended the frozen path, the cloud lingered frustratingly on Pen-y-Ghent and Ingelborough (behind on the left)

George and Stephen at the impressive cairn next to the Pennine Way, but not the summit of the fell

That lies a few hundred metres away, on the horizon here

A squat cairn marks the summit, 668 metres above sea level, with the cloud continuing to build and intermittently plunging us into mist

Retracing our steps, we cross the wall out of the Malham Tarn Estate

Within a few minutes, the cloud suddenly lifted and clear, revealing the glorious panorama I had hoped for in selecting Fountains Fell for this morning's walk.

A panoramic shot of Pen-y-Ghent and Plover Hill

Three cars lined up - are they enjoying the view too?

A last look back at Fountains Fell as we return towards Settle

In total, 5.4km, 276 metres of ascent, 1 hour 55 mins (including 29 minutes stopped)