Returned Saturday from a fabulous week's walking in the The Lakes. The
weather came up trumps again, providing plenty of sunshine and clear blue
sky.
Started the week attending the service on Great Gable with a mate from North
Yorks. Started out from Honister going up over Grey Knotts, Brandreth and
Green Gable. Little rain and hill fog most of the way, and even a touch of
snow on Green Gable. BUT, the rain wasn't more than an inconvenience ....
much worse was the strong wind on the way down. Arrived early on Great
Gable, so had an early lunch while waiting for the service. Sky opened up
just before 11am revealing glorious blue sky, and stayed that way all the
way back to Honister. Returned down to Blackbeck Tarn then out over
Fleetwith to the old tram line. Very pleasant outing, being rewarded with a
couple of Jennings and a hearty meal in Keswick.
An early start for me on Monday while Clare had a relaxing start. Staying
at Linghom in Portinscale, so I set of up Cat Bells in frosty and icy
conditions, although not overly cold. Was hoping to see a good sunrise, but
high level horizon clouds blocked it out. Had breakfast at the edge of
Maiden Moor, before continuing on to High Spy then down for another stop
above Dalehead Tarn. Really pleasant in the early morning sun. Dropped
into Borrowdale and followed the Cumbrian Way back to Portinscale.
Tues we ventured down to Grasmere and took in Tarn Crags from Far Easedale.
Had lunch at Codale Tarn, then had a little wet walk back out passing
Easedale Tarn and down the side of Sourmilk Gill. Plenty of water gushing
down making a spectacular sight. rain didn't last too long, and all our
gear had dried out by the time we reached the car.
Wednesday was down Patterdale for a glorious walk over Place Fell, up
through Boredale Hause. Stunning views from the summit, with deep blue
skies and no wind. Seen Place fell many times and always wanted to pay a
visit, so we couldn't have chosen a better day. Relaxing walk over High
Dodd down to Sandwick, then returned through Boredale up to Boredale Hause
and down into Patterdale.
Thursday arrived with plenty of blue sky again, no wind ......... and -2C on
the drive through to Mosedale! Our summits today were Carrock Fell and High
Pike. The approach to Carrock Fell from Stone End in Mosedale is not the
best start being a 'little' steep, but certainly made sure we kept warm!
However, although steep, it isn't too long a slog before the slope eases at
the heather at the top of Further Gill Sike. Once at the summit, it was a
very pleasant walk, passing over Round Knot to our lunch stop on High Pike.
Rather nice slate bench at the summit too. Clare read the plaque,
commemorating a lad who loved the Fells but died aged 16. Lunch over, we
made our way to the bottom of Old Fell and out to Calebeck, then down the
road to the car.
The final day, Friday, I was out alone as Clare wanted a Christmas shopping
trip in Keswick. I returned down Patterdale, starting out from Hartsop at
8am. A little scattered cloud on the tops, but not cold or too much wind.
Followed the track up to Hayeswater, then up around The Knott and out to
Kidsty Pike. Clouds dropped on the way out, so no views from the Kidsty.
Made my way across to High Raise for breakfast .... still in fog ....., then
back over Ramsgill Head returning to join the path below The Knott. Gentle
walk along towards Angle Tarn, turning left for a visit to Brock Crags.
Rejoined the path around Angle Tarn, then up to Angle Tarn Pikes. Had
lunch at Chapel in the Hause above Boredale Hause, then dropped back into
Patterdale returning to Hartsop. Finished just after 1pm, rounding of a
very rewarding weeks walking.
Managed 51 miles and 15,400ft of ascent over the week. Have posted a
selection of photos from the week at the web address below.
--
Sandy Saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
'Mountains or Mole Hills, summiting
still brings the same excitement!'