The Duddon Valley is always an excellent choice for a walk in September - beautiful autumn colours and usually mild weather.  The views out to sea are wonderful and into the Southern Fells also.  Plus there is a great pub down in the valley if you can ever drag yourself down off the surrounding mountains. 

These reasons (in no particular order) are why Ian Scott enjoys the area so much and it is always his first choice when asked to lead a walk.  This time he chose to take us on a mixture of Outlying Wainwrights and Wainwrights including in the list Harer Fell, Green Crag, Hesk Fell and the Pike. 

 The climb up to the Pike at the start of the day seemed to be the most testing bit - quite a steep climb and a lot of zig zagging to arrive at the top without actually trespassing.  Then along the ridge to Hesk Fell and down for a coffee break in the relative shelter of a stone wall (it was quite chilly for September).  Then a long climb up and over to Green Crag, down into the hollow (complete with Rocks, Bracken and Heather to trip us all up) before a steady climb up to Harter Fell after lunch. 

The views were terrific but it was extremely windy and looking like a shower out to see so we soon scampered back down to join the Furness Way path to lead us down by Wallabarrow Crags into the Duddon valley and more importantly, into the Newfield Inn (a great pub where you can get a cuppa tea or a pint, whichever you prefer and tea cakes just when you want them most). 

There then followed quite a hike back to reach the cars.  There were a couple of sting in the tail climbs involved but we did get back in decent time to watch the sun set. 

Thanks to Ian for a great day out.