Dollywaggon Pike, Rydal, Cumbria, England

Attracting large numbers of booted fellwalkers does have its drawbacks and the main one is erosion. Higher up the slope from which I captured this scene, I really got a taste of what can result and it leaves you wondering if you can maintain a grip on what is a steep slope on the side of Fairfield. In wet weather, it might be easier to gain purchase but a hot dry day or a cold one on frozen ground really can give you pause for thought. The near vertical gash on the side of Dollywaggon Pike is a sign of what can face you but Fix the Fells have added an engineered path that takes a gentler and more gradual line. Nevertheless, there always are those hell bent on taking shortcuts so they need to be forestalled by signage and barriers, not the best of things to be needing in wilder places. However, having seen the that corners have been cut on a path well built by the Forestry Commission in Scotland (it leads to Ben Arthur (The Cobbler) in Argyll), they cannot be avoided.

P.S. Don't ask me why Grisedale Tarn has turned black but my guess is that it was in shade at the time that the photo was made. If you have any better suggestion, please let me know.