Thursday 4th March 2010

Start Point : Beckside (SD 153 847)

Distance : 8.5 miles Height Ascended : 670 metres

Route Map

Looking through the ‘Venus and Cupid ‘ sculpture (Shane A. Johnstone) on Morecambe promenade towards a distantBlack Combe.

Preparing for lambing at Beckside Farm

Galanthus nivalis.

Whicham Church (St Mary's)

The first picture from the actual ascent of Black Combe - here looking back down on Townend Knotts.

Looking down from the top of Townend Gill towards the coastal plain.

The path from Whicham to the summit of Black Combe is everywhere obvious although monotonous.

The view here shows it leading ahead then traversing right to left.

Looking south across Black Combe’s frozen grassy plateau and down towards the Furness Peninsula and Walney Island.

Black Combe summit and the view northeastwards.

Wordsworth said of the view'the amplest range of unobstructed prospect may be seen that British ground commands'

Violet practices her balancing skills on the wind shelter.

My route off the summit was to the left down to Stoupdale Head and then right across the ridge to White Combe.

Blackcombe Screes.

Blackcombe Beck.

Violet above Blackcombe Screes

Eller Peatpot - what a great name - in the distance the Duddon Estuary.

Great Gable and the Scafell range over Whitfell and Hesk Fell.

The upper northern slopes of Black Combe still have a thin layer of snow.

White Combe and White Hall Knott.

Black Combe across Whitecombe Screes.

Looking north to Buck Barrow and Whitfell across the small pile of stones that mark the high point of Stoupdale Head.

Stoupdale Crags and the Coniston Fells.

The summit of White Combe looking to Lowick High Common and Gunson Height across the Duddon Channel.

Looking to Stoupdale Head.

Black Combe.

Looking down Whitecombe Beck.

Whitecombe Screes over Whitecombe Beck.

Whicham Mill.

Black Combe retro.