I have a week off work this week, and as such, I like to plan walks that go that extra mile. Admittedly, this walk isn't high on miles and comes in at just under 4,000 feet of ascent. The kick in this walk owes itself to the direct ascent of Robinson via Hassnesshow Beck. I first heard about the route some years ago, and even though many years have passed, I've never forgotten about it. Last weekend, whilst on the Bretherdale fells, I asked David which would he recommend: ascending or descending Hassnesshow Beck. David replied, "Definitley ascend, Paul; it's so steep that walkers are known to grab the wire fence in an effort to help them up." Well, that's cleared that up.

It was important that I didn't burn myself out, after all, I'm a little closer to 50 now than I was this time last week! that said, I do like to push myself. From Robinson, it's a case of following the ridge south easterly gaining Hindscarth via Littledale Edge and Dale Head via Hindscarth Edge, With Dale Head reached, it's a simple descent and fuel stop before passing through Honister Slate Mine ready for the final ascent onto Fleetwith Pike, it was during this ascent that the sun came out, which caused me to de-layer and enjoy the last couple of hours in glorious sunshine.

It had rained during the morning, and to allow for the rain to push through, I timed my arrival for 11:30am. Given that there's only room for three or four well parked cars, it didn't go unnoticed that there was still ample parking back at Gatescarth Farm. Luckily, I arrived first at the layby flanked by Folders Wood on the other side of the stone wall. 

Through gaps in the trees, I could see the steep sided cliffs of Goat Crag, cliffs that I'd seen so many times from High Crag on the other side of Buttermere Lake. It's mild, but the mountain forecast predicted freezing level at summit height, so I slide my Alpkit softshell over the top of a technical T shirt ready for the promised sunshine later. I was eager to get boot on to fell and I'm laced up within minutes.

Feeling like I'd forgotten to do something, a quick pat down confirmed I had everything I thought I needed. With the car locked, I passed over a sty and joined the narrow path through Folders Wood, flanked by Hassnesshow Beck to my left and a stone wall to my right. The path steadily rises into sunlight, where Goat Crag dominated the view ahead. 

When the elderly gentleman's two other friends arrived, we struck up a conversation about our routes; when asked where I had ascended from, I replied "Hassnesshow Beck," to which the gentleman laughed and said, "My book tells me not to come up that way," to which I replied, "Your book is correct!"

I was then asked about my Peak Design camera clip, which I fasten to the left strap of my pack. "Handy kit," I replied. "They're great." Anyway, guys, I'm going to head on. "Where too?" Hindscarth next, I replied, and with that, I bid the gents to enjoy the rest of their walk.

It was closing in on twenty past five by the time I passed Gatescarth Cottage and the car park which was less than half full. The flow of Gatescarthdale Beck was the only noise disturbing the silence of the afternoon as I walked up the hill towards the tip of Buttermere Lake. The sun was hot now, and I sipped from my bite valve at free will while taking in the views of the sunlight as it glimmered across the lake.

Two or three times now I had kicked the backs of my heels into my boots, and the shift as always felt heavenly. I don't often get to experience Buttermere during the week under hot sunshine, but I relished that half-mile walk back, even nodding at the drivers whose cars forced me into the Gorse as they drove past. The views were relentless, the heat the same, knowing I only had a few minutes left before arriving back at my car, where despite the aching feet, my stomach dropped at the thought that the walk had come to an end.