Mountain Landscapes

Thirlmere from Steel Fell

2018-05-09T08:52:00.003-07:00

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Looking along the length of Thirlmere towards Blencathra and the northern fells of Lakeland from Steel Fell. The wooded valley in which Thirlmere is situated is in contrast to the more pastoral dale of Grasmere to the south of the viewpoint. In fact though the rift like valley extends from the wild Glenderaterra in the north, down to Haverthwaite beyond the southern end of Windermere; with the low pass of Dunmail Raise as its high point, and effectively divides the central and western fells of Lakeland from the east which is dominated by Helvellyn and Fairfield.

This photo was taken during a circuit of the fells above Grasmere in October and the camera is facing roughly northward; further details here.

Hiker on the South Ridge of Snowdon

2017-11-24T04:13:00.000-08:00

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Dramatic light over Snowdonia National Park, North Wales, as a hiker (seen bottom right of the picture) ascends the South Ridge of Snowdon. The route is a lesser frequented way to the top of the mountain and affords spectacular views throughout and on this day in late October, a day of sunshine and showers brought some spectacular lighting to the scene.

This photo was taken during the ascent of Snowdon from Rhyd-Ddu near Beddgelert in late October and the camera is facing south to south east. If you like this photo, you can use it for your site, brochure or advert via my low cost photo licensing page at Picfair.

Welsh Landscapes - the Wild Side of Snowdon

2017-11-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

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Cwm Clogwyn on the south western side of Snowdon. The scattered mountain tarns and wild landscape typify much of Snowdonia National Park, though this area is particularly dramatic and feels remote compared to the popular paths to the peak from Llanberis and Pen y Pass. The far peak is called Moel Cynghorion and the ridge to the right of it is the ascent route of the Snowdon Ranger Path.

This photo was taken while descending the Rhyd-Ddu path after a walk up the South Ridge of Snowdon from Rhyd Ddu; further details here.

Rainbow Over Helvellyn

2017-11-09T02:50:00.001-08:00

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I had to run uphill to get this shot as a particularly bright rainbow appeared over the brow of the hill ahead. There was no pot of gold, but my reward for the effort involved was this great view. The picture was taken from the slopes of Steel Fell above Grasmere in the Lake District looking towards Helvellyn, England's third highest summit. The low autumn sun combined with sunshine and light showers, driven before a north westerly wind made for perfect photography conditions even if we did occasionally need to don raincoats.

If you like this photo, you can use it for your site, brochure or advert via my low cost photo licensing page at Picfair.

The Eastern Lake District - Rest Dodd and the Nab

2017-10-25T02:47:00.003-07:00

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Heading over the High Street Ridge from Haweswater on a bright autumn day, I was rewarded with a wonderful view towards the Ullswater Fells. Ullswater itself is hidden but the two prominent hills are Rest Dodd and the Nab which are both Wainwrights, and make for a fine walk in themselves. The lower sun of this time of year gives a softer light than that of summer but all too often the Lakeland hills are cloaked in mist and the views are lost.

This photo was taken from The Knott on an outing a few years ago but here is a more recent walk to Rest Dodd and the Nab

Cnicht - the Welsh Matterhorn...

2017-10-21T08:29:00.003-07:00

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Looking at a photo of Cnicht seen here from Croesor in Snowdonia, one might be forgiven for thinking one is looking at a peak of far greater height than 2265 feet which is modest even by Snowdonia standards. Indeed the mountain - whose name means Knight - has often been called the Matterhorn of Wales due to its symmetrical shape when viewed from this side. Personally though I am more reminded of the Midi du Bigorre in the Pyrenees. The ascent is a fine walk and includes an easy but exciting scramble though does reveal the mountain to be the end of a long ridge rather than an isolated peak.

If you like this photo, you can use it for your site, brochure or advert via my low cost photo licensing page at Picfair.

Hikers in the Brecon Beacons

2017-10-05T06:43:00.000-07:00

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Hikers on the summit of Cribyn in the Brecon Beacons looking towards the two highest peaks Pen y Fan (right) and Corn Du. In good weather the top of Pen y Fan - which at 886m is the highest point in South Wales - can become crowded, but here on Cribyn a semblance of solitude remains.

If you like this photo, you can use it for your site, brochure or advert via my low cost photo licensing page at Picfair.

In the Brecon Beacons - Cribyn from Pen y Fan

2017-09-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

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Looking eastwards from Pen y Fan the highest point in South Wales to Cribyn, the next peak on the ridge. The Brecon Beacons are of a different character to the rugged mountains of Snowdonia, being made up of wide grassy ridges and steep escarpments but despite the lack of rocky summits, they make for wonderful walking country. The views too are captivating...

This photo was taken on a circuit of the main peaks from Tal y Fechan forest to the south; further details here.

Thirlmere from Wythburn

2017-09-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

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Looking north along Thirlmere from just above Wythburn. Despite the pristine and natural appearance of this part of the Lake District, Thirlmere is actually a reservoir; having originally been constructed to supply water to the City of Manchester. The main road between Ambleside and Keswick passes along the eastern shore while a minor road - good for cycling - follows the far western shore. The peak just visible above the end of the lake is Skiddaw.

If you like this photo, you can use it for your site, brochure or advert via my low cost photo licensing page at Picfair.

Angle Tarn Lakeland

2017-09-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

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While on the subject of Lakeland tarns, here's a view of Angle Tarn taken from the prominence known as Satura Crag which lies just off the main track from Patterdale to High Street. The sunlit hills surrounding the tarn are called the Angletarn Pikes while beyond lie the eastern reaches of the Helvellyn Range and Place Fell. Angle Tarn lies in a beautiful setting at an altitude of 478 metres or about 1570ft above sea level - 1100 feet above nearby Ullswater.

This photo was taken on a walk from Hartsop (just off the Kirkstone Road on the Patterdale side) heading to Rest Dodd and the Nab; further details here.

Red Tarn from Helvellyn

2017-09-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

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Eastwards from the summit of Helvellyn and almost 800 feet down lies Red Tarn, which at 2350 feet above sea level is one of the highest bodies of water in Lakeland. The tarn itself lies in a glacial cirque between the peak of Catstycam (on the left) and the ridge known as Striding Edge which makes a popular route to the summit. The lake in the distance is Ullswater - the second longest in the Lake District - which stretches away towards the Eden Valley and Penrith.

The photo was taken on an ascent of Helvellyn from Thirlmere which lies on the opposite side of the mountain; further details here

Tryfan and the Ogwen Valley in Snowdonia

2016-06-09T03:01:00.000-07:00

Tryfan and the Ogwen Valley seen from the lower slopes of Y Garn with Llyn Ogwen on the left. We have just left the main route from Llyn Idwal to Y Garn, and are heading towards Foel Goch on a little used route that climbs that peak and Y Garn before returning to the valley via Llyn Idwal. This region in the North of Snowdonia National Park is a popular desitination for hikers and climbers alike; and we were lucky enough to be here when the mists had cleared to reveal one of the wildest and most rugged landscapes in all of Wales.

View of Snowdon from Capel Curig

2016-06-05T12:57:00.002-07:00

Looking towards Snowdon from the eastern end of the Glyders above Capel Curig. At 1085m or 3560 feet the peak is the highest of the Welsh Mountains and a popular destination for hikers and the less energetic who ride the train to the top. The four summits in this view are from left to right Y Lliwedd, Snowdon (Y Wyddfa), Crib Goch and Carnedd Ugain which at 3495 ft is the second highest peak in Wales and a much quieter place to have one's lunch when hiking these mountains.

Scottish Mountains - the Grey Corries from Aonach Mor

2015-10-17T09:28:00.002-07:00

Away from the crowds that troop dutifully up Ben Nevis, the summit of Aonach Mor at 4006 ft above sea level is a worthy destination and the eastern side of the mountain falls steeply into corries of almost Alpine scale. This rugged landscape is unseen from the Nevis Range ski area where the gondola takes people half way up in the summer months and is in complete contrast to the vast but smooth slopes on that side of the mountain. Here, the view is to the Grey Corries from a point just beyond the highest ski lift. The traverse of this ridge as far as Aonach Beag (4048ft) is a fine outing.

Pete Buckley Oct 2015

Hidden Lakeland - the Ennerdale Valley

2015-10-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

The view towards the head of Ennerdale from the top of Crag Fell. The lake on the left is Ennerdale Water which is one of the lesser visited of the Lake District owing to its position as the westernmost of the region. Its circuit makes a fine low level walk while the track on its far side leads from the roadhead for seven miles up to Black Sail youth hostel and is a fantastic outing on a mountain bike. There is no road access to the upper valley which is surrounded by mountains and offers access for the hiker to Wasdale, Borrowdale and the Buttermere Valley as well as to the well known peaks of Great Gable, Pillar and Haystacks by a variety of good paths.

Pete Buckley Oct 2015

The Western Fells of the Lake District

2015-04-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

Looking down the Buttermere Valley from the ridge between Honister Pass and Great Gable in the Western part of the Lake District National Park. All too often this view is screened by mist and rain but today Buttermere and Crummock Water are seen between the peaks of High Stile and Grasmoor while in the distance the West Cumbrian Plain fades towards the Irish Sea. Here are some more photos and a route description for a hike around the four valleys that converge here.

The Path to the Top of England

2015-03-06T12:02:00.000-08:00

The most direct route to Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head follows the broad trail up towards Hollowstones from the National Trust Campsite and on to Lingmell Col. The way is steeply uphill - much on stone steps - for 3000 feet though at least your efforts will be rewarded by views such as this one well before the summit is attained... Pike's Crag at the top of the picture forms a rugged rampart that hides the very top of England from here while the obvious gap to the right is Mickledore which lies between Scafell Pike and Scafell - the second highest peak of the Lake District. The photo was taken from about a third of the way up.

Mountains of Snowdonia - Pen yr Ole Wen

2015-02-21T12:50:00.002-08:00

Viewed from the same location as Llyn Idwal in the previous post; the imposing peak of Pen yr Ole Wen rises over 2000 feet above the Ogwen Valley - the wildest in North Wales - which is unseen in the dip. The mountain which is 3210 feet or 978m high marks the south western end of the Carneddau ridge while having more of the rugged character of the Glyderau on this side of the Ogwen Valley. The usual ascent route heads up on the right hand side of the picture and features an easy but exciting scramble on the path that continues up to Carnedd Dafydd and on along the ridge. The photo was taken from the northern shore of Llyn Idwal in October 2014.

Pete Buckley Feb 2015

Landscapes of Snowdonia - Llyn Idwal

2014-12-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

Just a short distance from the A5 Caernarfon road as it traverses the Ogwen Valley, lies what is probably the finest glacial cirque in Snowdonia. Cwm Idwal in which lies the beautiful and wild mountain tarn of Llyn Idwal cannot be seen from the road and a short walk from Ogwen Cottage is needed to reach it. The surrounding peaks inlude Tryfan, Glyder Fawr and Y Garn; while Pen yr ole Wen rises impressively on the opposite side of the Ogwen Valley. The area is home to some rare alpine plants as well as to a herd of wild goats which can often be spotted in the rugged terrain here.

The photo was taken from the outflow of Llyn Idwal looking towards the feature known as the Devil's Kitchen - an impressive gully that surprisingly offers an easy route to the col between Glyder Fawr and Y Garn. Proximity to the road makes it a popular outing but today a light rain was moving in from the nearby Irish Sea and I had one of my favorite places all to myself.

Pete Buckley December 2014

Landscapes of Wales - the Far Side of Snowdon

2014-11-29T08:48:00.000-08:00

A pause during the ascent of Snowdon's South Ridge... this route to Snowdon; in contrast to the popular paths from Pen y Pass and Llanberis is a tranquil crowd free experience that reveals an unfamiliar view of the highest mountain in Wales. This empty tussock country rises from Beddgelert and Rhydd Ddu towards the 1085m summit and provides easy access to the high peaks along quiet trails where you will see more sheep than other hikers. The views to the Nantlle Ridge and distant Cardigan Bay are impressive too.

Pete Buckley Dec 2014

Mountain Landscapes of Snowdonia

2014-11-06T11:08:00.001-08:00

One of the classic mountain views of Snowdonia - that of the Crib Goch ridge from the summit of Snowdon - made almost other-worldly by drifting mists as the highest mountains of Wales rise above the clouds. All of the fifteen Welsh peaks of over 3000 feet are situated in this relatively small area in the northern half of Snowdonia National Park in three groups; Snowdon, the Glyders and the Carneddau. The peak seen beyond on the left is Glyder Fach which overlooks the wild looking Ogwen Valley just to the North.

Pete Buckley October 2014

The Langdale Pikes

2014-10-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

An unusual profile of Pike O' Stickle and Harrison Stickle - better known as the Langdale Pikes - seen from Bowfell across the deep valley of Mickleden which is situated at the head of Great Langdale. Seen from the viewpoints around Windermere, the Pikes make up a familiar Lakeland skyline in which this viewpoint, Bowfell, is also prominent. The most popular ascent route from Langdale is via the steep Dungeon Ghyll path past the waterfalls to Stickle Tarn.

Pete Buckley October 2014

Winter Sun in the Lake District

2014-10-18T12:14:00.000-07:00

A scene that could be summer in the Alps but is in fact the Lake District last November. Walkers reach the summit of Skiddaw - England's fourth highest peak - to be rewarded by brilliant sunshine after an early fall of snow. The mountain, at 3054ft or almost 950m stands above Keswick and Derwentwater in the north of the national park.

If you like this photo, you can use it for your site, brochure or advert via my low cost photo licensing page at Picfair.

Mountain Landscapes of Scotland - Glen Lyon

2014-09-26T04:34:00.000-07:00

Looking down the upper part of Glen Lyon from the summit of Beinn Dorain. In the centre of the picture is Loch Lyon; a manmade lake that can be reached by a minor road from Fortingall near the lower end of Loch Tay to the South. The road ends at the hydroelectric dam and only mountain tracks reach into the remote head of the glen. Beinn Dorain itself is a prominent mountain of 1076m that dominates the view ahead when travelling north between Tyndrum and the Bridge of Orchy from where it is best climbed.

Pete Buckley Sept 2014

A Southern Highland Panorama

2014-09-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

Looking roughly north west from just below the summit of Ben More across the mountains of the Southern Highlands. The valley directly below is Glen Dochart at the point between Loch Dochart and Loch Iubhair while the dark topped peak opposite is Beinn Challum. The Southern Highlands themselves are home to some of Scotland's highest mountains including Ben More as well as Ben Lui to the West and Ben Lawers above Killin and Loch Tay.

Pete Buckley September 2014
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