Walk 206: Burnbank and Birkett-bagging

WALK 206: Burnbank Fell (1558′ above sea level, number 309 of my second round). 7.5 miles, 1,730 feet of ascent. I haven’t been recording bagged Birketts on these blog posts yet, but probably should today as this walk was designed as much to pick up four previously unvisited ones: Loweswater End, Carling Knott, Sharp Knott [pictured] and Owsen Fell.

Sharp Knott, and a riot of cottongrass.

This walk brought to an end a rather sluggish period in my life; not only is it six weeks since I walked in the Lakes, but I didn’t even manage any County Tops in that time either. The weather was rather chilly for a while in late April and early May but this is not an excuse — I just didn’t get out. Time to change that, however, with the UK’s typical Late May Fine Period having definitely arrived this year. Not that it was sunny in the Loweswater region, with high, light cloud keeping the heat down: possibly the only part of England today that did not see clear blue skies. But I didn’t care. It remained pleasant conditions for a walk and I just didn’t need the sunscreen, that’s all.

Burnbank Fell is not an exciting Wainwright but the views are very good and the walking easy, dry underfoot and generally pleasant. Adding the four Birketts offers some variety, and it’s probably only a lack of space that resulted in Carling Knott, at least, not being included in Wainwright’s original guide. But I have to also report some significant damage done to the previously unspoilt Holme Wood: ‘forestry operations’, supposedly to treat some fungal pest, have wrecked a considerable chunk of the woodland and the paths through it. Most of my commentary on the walk 206 page is devoted to this issue — I’m sorry to say. Which is a shame because I otherwise enjoyed the day.

Loweswater, Mellbreak behind, and some local inhabitants.

As of today, then, I have bagged 309 of the 330 Wainwrights on my second round, and so have 21 to go. (And 127 Birketts, in case you were wondering.) I reckon these split into 11 walks, plus or minus one. I intend to be back in the Lakes around 9th or 10th June, having my eye on a two-day trip into the west — Scafell may fall, but no promises, as there are plenty of options so we’ll see what the weather (and the public transport) bring. Meanwhile, have a look at the additional detail and photos on the walk 206 page if you like. Happy walking…