Catbells, Maiden Moor and High Spy

A rather different day to the last time I was on these hills back in January . A superb days weather today though, the only problems road closures and then actually getting parked. I eventually found a place above Manesty Park. So back up the road I walked to gain a foothold on the first fell of the day....Catbells. This is a hill I've avoided for many years because of the crowds. I had thought it would be relatively quiet midweek in October...how wrong I was! Below are some images of the day, many are panoramas so a click will reveal their full glory...or not YOMV!

From the road I took the forbidden route up Skelgill Bank. The view across Derwentwater to Skiddaw and Blencathra really excellent.

From the summit of Catbells looking North..ish the view is similar but different.

And to the Southwest the upper Newland Valley and it's surrounding hills.

South for me though, along the ridge. Leaving the majority of the crowds behind as well.

Looking back from Bull Crag to Catbells.

After crossing Maiden Moor I arrived at High Spy. It's a great viewpoint for Dale Head, which dominates the image. I had lunch here in the warm sun. 

I managed to get down to the top of tongue Gill dryshod amazingly. The Helvellyn Hills fill the horizon.

After passing through Rigg Head quarries and skirting above Lingy Bank I stopped to take a couple of photos of Castle Crag and the view down Broadslack Gill towards Keswick and Skiddaw.

It was then back to the car using mainly the Cumbria Way as far as brandlehow Bay before climbing back up to the car.
A great day, I'd planned to walk the Newlands Horseshoe, but the road closures made that difficult...this was an excellent 2nd choice.
The Strava track can be found here should anyone want to see the exact route.