We caught the bus at Ings, the 555 holding up the traffic whilst the travellers paid their fares.  Quite appropriate really thanks to a bizarre coincidence.  It was not our plan originally to go from Ings.  We had something else in mind but the realisation that using the 555 could open up better opportunities was too good to miss.  It was the way to conquer two more *WOLFs and their various cubs.

You can travel on the 5-5-5, buy a ticket and enjoy the ride.

First target was WOLF 7, namely Orrest Head.  We went up by the tourist route from opposite the bus station, marvelling at the scaffolding on the Windrmere Hydro Hotel. 

There were quite a lot of people at the summit including a group of youths illegally flying a drone above our heads.  Fortunately no harm was done.  Visibility was poor.  This was the hill that first inspired AW, contributing to his move to Kendal and the penning of his renowned guide.  However, had his visit been on a day like today, the whole history of fell walking might have been very different. 

We left by the easterly path then dropping south through the woods, eventually to reach the A591.  No 555 seen or needed as we crossed over road, field then railway to Heathwaite.

Target WOLF 8.  The path up to School Knott is in light woodland initially and then out onto the open fell. 

This is another of the great viewpoints over Windermere to the panorama of Lakeland Fells.  Sadly, today it was a panorama of shrouds.

There were many Belted Galloways to be seen as we dropped down to School Knott tarn. 

Here we crossed the stream, Tony taking the adventurous option.....

..... and set off for the nameless summit that Wainwright calls “nameless summit”.  WalkLakes puzzlingly calls it “School Knott” whilst giving what everyone else calls “School Knott” the name “North Top”.  What we could agree was that the actual summit was on the other side of the wall and as AW had said that we didn’t need to visit it, we didn’t.

Instead, we crossed over to bag Grandsire, the third WOLF 8 cub.....

..... then dropped down to Hag End.  Thereafter, it was a pleasant stroll across fields, passing Yews, before joining the minor road that leads back to Ings.  No need for a 555, we had the cars to take us onwards.

Arriving at Staveley, there was role reversal.  The 555 pulled up behind our car.  It wasn’t holding us up.  We were both being held up by road work traffic lights.  When the lights changed we moved out of the way and into the Eagle and Child car park in order that we couldn’t be accused of holding up either the bus or the traffic.  Well, that’s our excuse!

Don, Wednesday 20^th May 2026

*WOLF= Wainwright OutLying Fell

Comitibus:   

Stan,           ekiM,            noD,           Tony

STATISTICS

BB2616 :  Holding Up The Traffic?

Date:

Wednesday 20th May 2026

Features:

Wolf 7:  Orrest Head

Wolf 8:  School Fell, Nameless Summit, Grandsire

Distance in miles:

7.0

Height climbed in feet:

1,333

GPX track:

BB2616.GPX  

Comitibus:

Don, Mike B, Stan, Tony

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