An Upland Summer

As the dark mornings and evenings close in, it signals that we're nearing the end of the fell work season. Four months back I joined the upland ranger team and in this relatively short period we have literally covered miles. We've been involved in projects across the Lake District working alongside the other upland teams, volunteer groups and the dedicated 'Fix The Fells' Lengthsmen.

It's been a fantastic chance to learn the ropes of Upland erosion work whilst experiencing the Cumbrian mountains in the best and also the not so best weather, I learned my first lesson quickly - buy a waterproof camera. Here are few sights and experiences of a summer in the fells.

Early morning Coniston and Peel or 'Wild Cat Island' 

Typically we start early in the morning around seven, this is a great opportunity to see the lakes in a more tranquil mood.

Walking to Brown Cove Crag on Helvelyn

 After we meet at base we drive to the area or mountain we're working on and set off on foot to our work site, this can sometimes mean walking all the way to the top. Second lesson - breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Looking down to Thirlmere from the Wythburn path whilst clearing drains

The character of the fells can be dramatically changed by the weather so we come to work prepared with warm clothes, water proofs and emergency shelters.

Looking towards Steel Fell from Helvelyn

Trying to prevent or reduce erosion on the fells is our main aim. Currently we're working on Goats Hause just below the summit of the Old Man of Coniston. This is a highly popular path and this is evident by the multiple path lines running side by side. With the help of the Fix The Fells Lengths men we are trying to a define a single line and re- vegetate the the sides of the new path.

Joe and the Lengthsmen working on Goats Hause. On the Left is Dow crag and right in the background sits the Scafell range

Drain built from local stone

Finished!

Sometimes rock is flown in by helicopter to use on site, how ever in this case on Goats Hause the rock is gathered in situ whilst we work.

Often when on the fells we get to see some of the hardy creatures that reside on and around them.

Golden - ringed Dragonfly

This is a Golden - ringed Dragonfly. This chap has one of the longest bodies of any European insect and is more likely to be found near fast flowing rivers and streams.

Violet Ground Beetle

Here is a Violet ground Beetle which when seen up close has a very distinctive violet strip around its sides. As well as living on/in mountains they are commonly found in gardens much to the joy of keen gardeners as they predate pests such as slugs.

That's it for this for this week so here are a couple of photo's some the awe inspiring views to be found in the lakes.

Threshthwaite Cove

Threshthwaite Cove - U- shaped glaciated valley

Thanks for reading!