Route: Rannerdale Knotts
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 20th November 2014
Walkers: Andrew and Tony
Distance: 3.2 miles
Weather: overcast, a few spots of rain
My walking companion today was Tony Bennett, Landscape Photographer of the Year 2013. I first met Tony after buying a copy of his award winning photo of Crummock Water – a wonderful image of our favourite lake
Tony was in the area for a photographic conference and we agreed to meet up so that I could show him some of the local sights – and maybe I’d pick up a few tips along the way
I decided to take Tony up Rannerdale Knotts, a local fell which I’ve often climbed. It’s a rugged little mountain with good views and plenty of photographic opportunities. We parked at Hause Point and made the short but steep climb to the top of the fell, then walked along the ridge and returned to the start along Rannerdale
The scenery was as beautiful as ever but sadly the light was not, it was flat and lifeless. Even an amateur like me knows that light is the key to any good landscape photo and it was a real shame that the weather wasn’t on our side today. Nevertheless it was a really enjoyable walk – I was able to guide Tony up his first Wainwright, and in return he passed on lots of useful tips which I hope will come in useful in the future
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel having breakfast in the garden before we set off this morning
Leaving the car park before we climb up the slopes to the left of the picture
Hause Point - this was the last of the blue sky
Looking back along Crummock Water from the start of the climb
Crummock Water, looking towards Low Fell
Tony admires the view across the lake to Low Ling Crag
Buttermere comes into view
Mellbreak on the far side of Crummock Water
Rocky staircase up the steep section
Looking back down to Hause Point
Loweswater comes into view
Tony lines up a photo, but neither of us are going to win any prizes in this light
Buttermere, taken just below the summit cairn
Looking back over Loweswater and Crummock Water
A ray of light on the head of Crummock Water
North top of Rannerdale Knotts
On Low Bank
Having left the ridge we’ve descended into Rannerdale to start the return leg
Further down the valley
Approaching the footbridge over Squat Beck
The bluebells in May are an incredible sight
Squat Beck - lots of interesting debate here with Tony about shutter speeds and assorted issues
Walking around Dale How
Nicely framed Herdie
Crummock Water comes back into view as we reach the end of the walk
There was still time to introduce my walking companion to another local delight - cheers Tony and thanks for your great company and wise advice
