10.09.11 Helm Crag

Returning from our trip to Arran we took an overnight pit stop in Ambleside. The next morning we set off for Grasmere. After parking at the village school, we packed our waterproofs and made our way to Easedale. The ascent of Helm Crag was pretty quick at 405m and rather muggy. It certainly looked like it was going to rain at some point. Up on top with very strong gusts I managed to balance on the Lion for just enough time to get myself snapped. I tried to climb up the Howitzer aswell but it was far too slippery today. We then continued along the ridge by traversing the boggy ground over Gibson Knott, Moment Crag, Pike of Carrs, Calf Crag and Brownrigg Moss. Up on the ridge was very bleak! Horizontal rain, gale force winds and the very boggy ground made for a very challenging day. The descent into Far Easedale wasn't much easier either, as the becks were bursting from all the recent rain to the point where the paths were looking more like becks themselves. We squelched back to Grasmere, windswept and tired. It may have been nasty weather but as usual it was still a great day in the Lakes.

03.08.11 Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags

After a rough nights sleep with a rude awakening on the campsite at 4am by some very inconsiderate campers we set off for Bow Fell. It was cloudy when we started and very muggy. As we made our way up the grassy slopes of The Band a fellow walker told us that it was 30 degrees in London. It felt like that here, I thought. We decided to veer right and take the Climbers Traverse to the Great Slab. We then clambered up the rock fall to the summit of Bow Fell. Once at the top the clouds cleared which was great for Raz as he would then see the great views but not so good for me because i forgot to pack the sun block and it was roasting. We traversed across Crinkle Crags and made our way back down to Oxendale. By this time my legs were weary but Raz looked as if he was strolling in a park. Another great day out. I Really hope to go walking with Raz again someday.

02.08.11 Pavey Ark and Jack's Rake

Today was the start of a special trip to the Lakes. Our friend from Nepal and Mountain Guide Raz had accepted our invite to come along. This was Raz's first trip to the UK and it made sense to bring him here. We set up camp in Great Langdale and followed the path alongside Stickle Gyhll to Stickle Tarn. After some time messing around by the water we climbed up Jack's Rake to the top of Pavey Ark. The scramble itself was really good fun and we had some time taking photos from the half way point where it briefly levels off. Raz looked out from the summit of Pavey Ark and commented on how beautiful the scenery was. Fortunately the cloud had just cleared giving us great views out to the Coniston Fells and Windermere. The evening was spent in the Old Dungeon Ghyll Pub. I recommend the beef pie!

14.05.11 Haystacks Wild Camp

After a brief visit to Keswick and a final stock up on supplies we headed off to Buttermere with the intention to wild camp somewhere around Haystacks. During the drive down Honister Pass the clouds were looking dark and swollen. The weather man had said there was a small chance of rain but knowing his regular errors and the ever changing conditions in the Lakes we really didn't know what we were going to get. Setting off from Gatesgarth we made the steep fun climb up Fleetwith Pike. As we topped out very dark clouds were about to surround us. We made our way over to Haystacks where the conditions improved and we welcomed the occasional wind breaks as we weaved through the crags approaching Haystacks. After about an hour of searching for the ideal location we settled for a better panorama rather than shelter. It was reasonably flat and springy though and a rare dry area. By 9pm it was freezing outside the tent so we settled down for the night. Morning arrived after what seemed like an eternity of looking at the roof of the tent and listening to the rain. We packed up and made our way back down via Scarth Gap. It was only a short trip away but still a worthwhile adventure. Next time though i'll ensure more wind protection.

25.02.11 A Deepdale Horseshoe

We woke up at the YHA to the sound of rain. Our friend Andy who we met in Nepal last year had decided to come along and we were all ready to go at just after 9am. We ascended St Sunday Crag with hoods up and heads down. Visibility was awful and the our ears were ringing from the strong winds. We took our lunch stop in a low area on Deepdale Hause to shelter from the wind and continued on to the scramble up Cofa Pike. Just a few minutes later we were up on Fairfield and looping around to Hart Crag. By this time the weather was perking up, blue skies were breaking through to the east and the weather became mild and warm with great views out to the High Street Range and across to Ullswater. Me and Andy B reminisced about our trip to the Himalayas and discussed the latest happenings in the fire service. Scott persisted with his descent method of sliding on his backside down the wet grassy slopes and we had some fun hopping across the boggy sections around Hoggill Brow and Bleaberry Knott.

24.02.11 Helvellyn from Patterdale

When we reached Patterdale in the morning it was warm and sunny. It managed to remain that way as we made our way up Grisedale Brow. When we arrived at the Hole-in-the-Wall, the cloud over Nethermost Pike was creeping towards Helvellyn. Typical timing! By the time we got on Striding Edge visibility was very poor with strong gusts of wind making the traverse that bit hairier. As we made the final scramble up to the summit of Helvellyn it became apparent that the crampons and ice axe on my pack were nothing more than unnecessary weight as we didn't need to negotiate any snow or ice. It was no surprise once on top that we weren't rewarded with any views so we made our way in the clouds over to Nethermost Pike, High Crag, Dollywaggon Pike and down to Grisedale Tarn. A long decent through Patterdale Common and Grisedale saw us back to Patterdale. After freshening up at the YHA we spent the evening relaxing in the White Lion Inn.

21.08.10 Scafell Pike and Scafell

The problem with living so far from my favourite walking destinations is that you really don’t know what the weather will throw at you until you get there.
Today as we made our way up to Great End and into the clouds on our way to Scafell Pike, we had the wind billowing around our heads making us sniffle and our constant dewy fringes dripping down onto our faces. This all just adds to the sense of freedom and adventure I feel when I’m clambering over boulders and sliding on scree in the mountains.
Today wasn’t a day of big views but more of a navigational refresher. There was no admiring of Wasdale, Eskdale or the neighbouring peaks but the excitement of revisiting England’s highest mountain ,Scafell Pike and finally reaching the top of my last Lakeland 3000er ,Scafell. Our only feasible options for Scafell were an ascent of Foxes Tarn gully or the steeper Lords Rake.
On this occasion we chose option 1. The recent rainfall absorbed by the mountain was being channelled down the gully and this meant our scramble had to be taken with extra care. With this last 3000er bagged and a re-ascent of the highest still to do, I promised myself I’d return another time to visit Lord's Rake and maybe if I’m spoilt I’d get to admire that incredible view down into Wasdale.

20.12.09 - Catbells

The original plan today was to take on a snow dusted Scafell Pike but when we arrived at the edge of Seathwaite in a snow shower, we were a little concerned about continuing down to Seathwaite farm and getting snowed in due to the weather reports on the radio. In the end we turned back and decided to leave the cars close to Keswick so we could do the quick climb up onto Catbells.

We left the cars in Portinscale and followed the very icey road down to the foot of Catbells. At the start of the climb Derwent Water was completely hidden in a snow shower but it didn't take long to clear. The wind was at times pretty fierce, the rock was very icey and it continued to snow heavily as we climbed. Once at the top there was a sudden turnaround in the weather conditions. The sky became clear and we were warmed by the sun as we sat eating our lunch. We had the summit to ourselves and that's pretty rare on such a popular peak.

19.12.09 - The Coledale Round

Today we all met up in Penrith at 8.30am. We had 2 new walking friends with us, both called Andy and both great guys. We started from Braithwaite at the car park near the edge of the woodland and made our way up onto Grisedale Pike via Sleet How. The weather was clear and bright but very cold on the exposed peaks. After a short break we continued on to Hopegill Head, down Sandy Hill and up onto Crag Hill which was then buried on cloud. We descended and took the path between Outerside and Causey Pike back to Braithwaite.

We must have seen a maximum of 6 other people, one of which was a lady waiting on the steep edge of Sail as her partner descended to hunt for her air bourne down jacket. I wouldn't have fancied doing down there. That evening we went for beer in Cockermouth and took a curry back to our favourite cottage. A great end to a great day!

31.10.09 - Helvellyn and Striding Edge

The weather report for today kept changing throughout the week. The last time we looked at it it said dry with sunny spells. When we arrived in Glenridding and looked at the route ahead I didn't see a great deal of blue sky. We followed the path beside Mires Beck up onto Birkhouse Moor and continued to the Hole in the Wall. Helvellyn's summit was buried in cloud and Striding Edge was about to be also. Up on Striding Edge it was very slippery and windy. Alan and Geordie led the way with me attempting to take photos in the rain behind them. (not very good photos)

Once at the top of Helvellyn with only approximately 1 hour of daylight remaining we chose to descend via Swirrel Edge and then follow Red Tarn Beck back down to Glenridding for dinner at The Travellers Rest. (and a few beers)

04.07.09 - Scafell Pike

Early next morning in Wasdale the cloud seemed to be more broken and patches of blue sky were visible. We set off along Lingmell Beck and made our way steeply up the side of Piers Gill. This has a great feature to the walk which had some fun scrambles and sheer drops. ( I split the crotch on my trousers here which became a conversation piece later on)

After Piers Gill we took a right and followed the cairns straight up to the summit of Scafell Pike. The summit was covered by cloud so no views and it was cold, but its always great to be on Scafell Pike! Our descent took us along Lingmell Gill back down into Wasdale.

03.07.09 - Pillar and beyond

Starting late in the day we left from Wasdale Head where we had pitched our tent. As we took the path through Mosedale up to Black Sail Pass we assessed the cloud line which was covering all the peaks and seemed to be getting lower. We summited the cloud covered Pillar by taking the direct route and enjoyed a rewarding apple. We then descended slightly and made our way up to Scoat Fell and across Red Pike. At Dore Head we decided not to tackle Yewbarrow as it was getting late and we wanted to get back to Wasdale Head Inn for supper so we chose to follow the path beside Over Beck, around Yewbarrow and onto the road back to Wasdale Head. We didn't make it in time for dinner but the beer went down well. Visiblity was close to zero so didn't get to take many photos. Atleast it didn't rain!

02.05.09 Above Buttermere

Starting from Gatesgarth we took the steep ascent up onto Fleetwith Pike. We then followed the path up to Haystacks admiring Blackbeck Tarn and Innominate Tarn along the way. We stopped for lunch on one of the jutting out crags on Haystacks and enjoyed the view down to Buttermere. We continued on down Haystacks, across Scarth Gap and up onto High Crag and then High Stile. We then made our way to the top of Red Pike before descending down to Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn. The day started out cloudy but by mid afternoon it was sunny and warm.

06.02.09 Skiddaw

At 6am this morning I set off with Lee, Geordie and Paul from Lincoln. We started from Peter House Farm, followed the track up to Barkbeth Hill and joined the Allerdale Ramble. We briefly used crampons when we ascended a very frozen Ullock Pike and stopped for coffee on Longside Edge. We then split off from the Allerdale Ramble and with Crampons and axes in place we followed a very steep track up to the Summit of Skiddaw. At the summit I was looking forward to a well deserved drink from my hydration bladder. Unfortunately due to a school boy error the fluid in the drinking straw had frozen solid. We then descended Broad End, made a cock up my descending around Cockup instead of the easier route over and then joined the path back to Geordie's car at the farm.

08.12.08 High Street

Today's walk started at about 10.00am from the Mardale Head car park. We ascended the long ridge of crags at Riddingdale up onto the High Street plateau and through the deep snow across to the summit. We then made our way south across Mardale Ill Bell. The original plan was to go over Harter Fell but the wind started to pick up and we were running out of time so we descended Nan Bield Pass. Here the snow was very deep. In some places it was up well above our knees. This route presented quite a challenge and was very enjoyable even though we all lost our footing several times. We passed by the frozen tarn and continued down along side Small Water Beck and back to the car park. That evening we had dinner in Cockermouth and spent the night at the excellent Croft House Barn.

23.08.08 Great Gable

Starting at Wasdale Head, we crossed through Burnthwaite farm and followed the track along the beck around to Sty Head and then straight up to the summit of Great Gable. We then descended the western side. We lost track of the track briefly that leads to the bottom. Rod retraced his way back onto the path and i continued down the scree beside the Gill which rejoined Rod near the bottom. The weather was warm and cloudy. We snacked on granny smith apples, cashews and cake bars.

22.08.08 Ennerdale

It was 4pm when me and Rod decided to take a quick trip into Ennerdale. When our wives asked how long we would be we said, approx 2 hours. We got back at 10.30pm. We started at the car park near Bowness Knott, walked along the length of Ennerdale Water and continued down and across the bridge near the bottom of Pillar. We then returned along the other side of the lake and around via Anglers Crag. As we passed the head of the lake we got attacked by midges and then as we passed Mireside we got dive bombed by bats. The weather was mild and warm.

22.08.08 Derwent Water

We took a walk from the Keswick Launch along the left side of the lake, stopped briefly at Friars Crag and then continued a bit further round where we had lunch. Later we went back to Keswick Launch and joined the boat ride round Derwent Water. The weather was warm and sunny.

21.08.08 Catbells

An easy walk made difficult. Rod carried Lucas (2 months) and I carried Noah (4 yrs) when i could. We started from the car park near Hawes End and made our way up the two humps of Catbells. Noah took some persuading but when it came to the short scarmbles he took off like a crag rat. We came down by the Allerdale Ramble to the road below and were picked up in the car. I fell on my behind when i slipped near the bottom which Noah found highly ammusing even though he was on my shoulder. It was a cloudy day but mild and warm.

21.07.08 Blencathra and Sharp Edge Wild Camp

Today Me, Geordie and Lee had decided to wild camp on Blencathra. We parked up just off the A66 near Scales and took the footpath behind Scales Farm. We continued along the valley between Scales Fell and White Horse Bent and then up the wet rocks of Scales Beck. We arrived at Scales Tarn at about 7pm and set up camp. At around 8pm we followed the path to the right up onto Sharp Edge and then scrambled up to the Blencathra Plateau. We then descended an unmarked path approaching the other side of Scales Tarn completing a horseshoe back to camp and enjoying a late HotPack dinner. The night was very windy and a very tired Geordie encouraged us at 4am to pack up and return to the car.

23.05.08 Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell

We started today's walk with 7 pint hangovers. We were surprised we hadn't scared off our new friend Sandra, who met us at the campsite car park. We took the path to Stool End farm, crossed the bridge over Oxendale Beck and started our ascent up Browney Gill. We then crossed over the Crinkles and the Bad Step up to Bow Fell. We said goodbye to Sandra and descended down the Great Slab, across the narrow Climbers Traverse and down The Band back to Langdale. The morning started cloudy then became warm and sunny. Bananas and Jaffa Cakes seemed to be the most popular today.

22.05.08 Pavey Ark via Jack's Rake

This was the first walk of our two day stay in Langdale. The 6 of us set off from Great Langdale campsite, headed up Stickle Ghyll to Stickle Tarn and then took the scramble route up Jack's Rake to the summit. The weather was sunny and calm.

We power snacked on a variety of sweets, Jaffa cakes and Bananas. In the evening we went to the Old Dungeon Ghyll for Beef Lasagne and Chips/Fish and chips. Sandra who we had seen earlier at Pavey Ark joined us for the evening and quickly leant that firefighters can be quite vulgar.

17.04.08 Helvellyn from Glenridding

Today's walk started with a 5 hour drive from Home via Sleaford to pick up Geordie. We collected Crampons and Ice Axes from SummiTrek in Ambleside and pitched a tent at Gillside campsite in Glenridding. The sky was blue and the weather was calm throughout the day apart from a little snow during our descent late afternoon. We power snacked on Dairy Milk and dinner was a nice steak and ale pie washed down with extra cold Guinness at the Inn on the lake in Glenridding.

15.03.08 Pillar from Buttermere

The weather report said rain all day. We didn't get a drop. Only problem as you can see was a big old cloud that covered the top half of Pillar. 7 of us from the fire station i work at were on this walk. We started from Gatesgarth farm in Buttermere, over Scarth Gap Pass beside Haystacks, down into Ennerdale and past the Black Sail Yha, up Black Sail Pass, a brief view from Looking Stead and then up to the summit of Pillar. The plan was to take the High level route but visibility made it too difficult and it was very slippery so turned back onto the direct route. Power Snacked on some nasty Spicey peanuts and later had steak and ale pie in one of the pubs in Cockermouth.

01.09.07 Scafell Pike

Today's weather was mostly cloudy and cold. The summit was buried in a rain cloud and we got soaked. Visibility was near zero from half way. We started at Seathwaite Farm and took the path to Stockley Bridge, followed Grains Gill but ignoring Sprinkling Tarn, turned left and then right up to Esk Hause and then right again up to Great End, past Broad crag to descend briefly then back up to the summit. Oh did i say we got soaked?! Power snacked on bananas and a mars bar. Had steak and ale pie in a pub in Cockermouth.