Todays permitted exercise!

[Travs]

If you head straight up the floor of the valley, instead of heading left up the steps to Nab Scar, you eventually get to this nice little reservoir. The gates say private property, but clearly people ignore the signs.
I have tried going up the valley, and then, well after the reservoir, going up steep left, but it was a lot of hard work, and I would not try it again. I suspect going up to the head of the valley would be similarly difficult.

Thanks for the info...

I was sure i'd seen the direct ascent on Fairfield in the Wainwright guides... in fact a quick check and it's shown in the Hart Crag chapter... up to head of valley then climb straight to Hart Crag-Fairfield col, or Dove-Hart Crag col... as you suggest, it does say it's steep going!

Did something vaguely similar in the Mountain Trial a couple of years back. Dropped from Alcock Tarn/Heron Pike into the valley, along half a mile, then a beeline ascent straight onto Dove Crag... can confirm it wasn't much fun!

I do like the odd direct ascent like this... if you can climb reasonably, they can be useful... Mickleden straight up the scree and Axe Factory to Pike O' Stickle... Levers Water straight up to Levers Hause... Grasmoor via Red Gill... and so forth