Pike O Blisco

With 3 tops down in January we didn't have a walk in February so it was good to get out again. My turn to drive so I picked Peter and Steve up at Steve's house at 6.00 am. It was wet at the moment but the forecast for the west in particular was good so we set off for the Langdales. I had read about Pike O Blisco in my Wainwright book last night and he described it as one of the few tops you could actually make out the summit from the valley floor with its clearly visible cairn. When we arrived at Old Dungeon Ghyll just after 8.00 am we could not make out the summit this morning. Whilst it had stopped raining by now, there was very low cloud over the tops. We had our Angus steak pies which Peter had picked up yesterday and began walking just after 8.30 am.

We set off along the steep road and began to climb quite quickly. After a couple hundred metres we turned off the road and followed the path up towards the top.

When we turned around we could see Pavey Ark appearing through the mist and Steve and Peter explained what a difficult walk that one is, taking in Jack's Rake. We stopped for a sit down and a cuppa. The cloud was still low but we were hopeful it would clear later.

I had in my mind that Wainwright had said you could see the top all the way up the walk which was clearly not true. In fact he had said it was visible from the valley floor (which it was, had it been clear) but not all the way up. The higher we got the thicker the cloud gotand it felt that the top was more and more elusive.

The last 200 or 300 feet were a scramble up short rock steps which added another dimension to the walk. When we reached the top it was very cloudy and sadly we could not see what would have been a fantastic view. It was just after 11.30 now so we dropped just off the top and had lunch, facing Crinkle Crags had they been visible.

After lunch Steve checked the map and we set off in a southerly direction looking for the path, switching to south westerly and we eventually picked up the path. As we descended it started to clear up again and the Crinkles were visible now. We had to decide whether to take on the Crinkles or head back to the car. Time was beginning to go against us and we knew that if we did the Crinkles it would be another late one.

We had 4 tops under our belts and it was only early March. We had also descended quite a bit to get to this point so it made sense to go back to the car.

I had done the Crinkles back in the 90's but I did not have it marked off my list so we will have to return soon. I hope it is a clear day next time however as the views will be spectacular.

It was a steady descent to the valley and looking back we could see Paragliders hovering over Crinkle Crags and Bowfell. We got back to the car about 2.30 and had a couple of pints in the Hikers Bar. On the way home Peter suggested a bag of chips in Kirkby Stephen, a great end to another good walk.

Next one planned for the end of March.

Newlands Walk

First walk of 2011 and the start of a successful year in chalking off a large number of tops. Steve and Peter picked me up just after 6.00 am, it took a while to clear the ice off the car which was a sign of how the weather was going to be today. It was very cold but very clear as we drove over the A66 towards Keswick. We had already decided to go to the Newlands Valley to do anything up to 4 tops starting with Robinson and then Hindscarth, Dale Head and potentially High Spy. We turned off the A66 towards Portinscale and after a couple of wrong turns eventually found the very minor road to Little Town. We parked just before Chapel Bridge, first in the car park

although 2 other cars arrived as we were getting ready. I picked up the Angus steak pies the day before so we got ready and then tucked into the pies. We started walking at 8.30, crossing the bridge over the stream and turning left towards Newlands Church. We walked up past the church and through a couple of gates. After the second gate we turned right and immediately up a very steep grassy bank towards High Snab Bank. There was a thick frost on the ground but it was a very clear day.

Once onto the ridge we had a steady walk for a little while until we reached 3 rock steps, about 20 or 30 feet each which meant we had a bit of scrambling to do. There was still a little way to go, but from here it was a steady climb to the summit which we reached at about 11.15 am. We stuck around for a few photos and then headed for top 2 of the

day which was clearly visible in the very blue sky.

We walked towards a fence and then turned left walking down by the fence towards Little Dale then the path split in two. We took the left path towards Hindscarth and reached the second summit at about 12.15. Two down and time for another cuppa and a bit of bait.

Dale Head seemed well within reach so 3 tops in one day was looking very likely but could we make 4? We decided to head towards Dale Head and then decide when we got there. We headed along the ridge turning left towards Dale Head, dropping slightly before climbing again to the summit which we reached around 1.30. So that was definitely 3 tops down today,

not a bad start to the year.

There was a particularly well built cairn at the summit and we remarked all the tops should have such monuments to them.

So the question was do we go for 4 or stick with 3 and head back to the car. Well either way we had to drop to Dale Head tarn and then it was either continue down into the valley or climb to High Spy and then follow the ridge all the way along. So we began to descend to Dale Head tarn, quite a steep descent and a little slippy in places where it was icy. When we got to the frozen tarn we threw a few stones onto the tarn and heard the hollow sound as they bounced on the ice. As the descent to the tarn was quite steep and my legs were feeling the strain now we all decided it was best to head back to the car. Perhaps the single top of High Spy can be given the dubious honour of being my final top when I reach my target eventually!

Leaving the tarn we dropped down to cross an almost frozen stream and then followed the stream for a little while dropping all the way. A long slow descent and a little icy as well meant you had to tread very carefully. We eventually reached an unmade road and Steve commented

that on the left side of the valley Gold mining had gone on in the distant past. Looking back we could see the full walk, Robinson on the right and Dales Head on the left with Hindscarth in the middle. It looked a very impressive achievement from this end point and very satisfying.We continued along the path for an hour and eventually got back close to the car, so close we could see it below, about 50 feet away but with no obvious path down to it. We had to walk a little further along the track and then drop down to the road and doubled back to the car. It was after 4.oo pm now so no time for a drink but very happy that 3 tops were down in one day.

Next walk will not be until early March now.

PS. Click here for video footage of the walk

Christmas Walk 2010

As planned in our last walk up Gable, we stuck to our date of 11th December for the Christmas Walk. Peter called me the day before and suggested a similar walk to the one we did in June last year although missing out Bowscale Fell and just doing Blencathra. As it was a shorter drive and we were only doing one top he came for me at 6.30 am and we picked Steve up 5 minutes later. As we drove west the snow was clearing and we were quite surprised when we got over the other side of the Pennines that there was hardly any snow at all. Especially considering the A66 had been closed for several days only a few days before our walk. We got to the parking spot about 8.15, we managed to get Pole Position and tucked into the Angus steak pies Peter had picked up the day before. We set off around 8.30 and took the same path as we did last June, up through the ferns. Half an hour or so of steep climbing until we reached the "Alpine Valley" and then just a steady walk. There were only a few patched of snow here and there, it had mainly settled on the paths and whenwe did hot some we were knee deep at times and, yes, I fell over a couple of times!! (Taking the Tumbles title from Steve).

We had our Christmas lunch at the same bait stop that was covered in midgies in June last year, although no sign of them this time! Usual Christmas fayre, turkey legs the size of a horse to start, Mince pies and custard all accompanied by wine and of course we all pulled crackers. Stuffed, we set off up the path around Blencathra shortly after.

There were great views of Sharp Edge and Fowl Crag from where we were and in the next couple of photos you can just see the tiny figures taking on Sharp Edge.

For some reason I was really struggling today though, trying to get my breath and my legs were like jelly. I could see there was quite a steep climb coming up on the last push to Blencathra so I

decided to turn back at this point. I had already done Blencathra but it was still a tough decision

as I would have liked to have got there again. I have since got full blown Man Flu so that was obviously the reason for my shortness of breath and dizziness! Well that's my excuse anyway. We were at this point on the walk, just before the crossroads and doubled back onto the other side of the valley to walk in the sun.

This was our route back down on the left side of the valley.

We were seeing Sharp Edge from both sides today, the next couple of shots show it from the other side.

We kept to the left side of the valley and then crossed over a little bridge to the other side of the valley. We then went back through the ferns and dropped back down to the car. We got back to the car about 1.30 and popped into the Sportsmans for a couple of beers and a few games of pool. Shame I had to cut the walk short but hopefully it was not spoilt for Peter and Steve.

We hope to get out again in January. Merry Christmas everyone and looking forward to 2011.

Great Gable 30th October 2010

Well it has been a while since we have been for a walk so we were all looking forward to this one. I picked Steve and Peter up at 5.45 am and 6.00 am respectively, as I had forgotten to fill up with petrol the night before, we called into the petrol station and we were on the road by about 6.20 am.

The weather forecast was a fine day - everywhere except the Lake District!! Although it was supposed to dry up after about 9.00 am. Also it was supposed to be slightly better in the Northern Fells than the Southern Fells so we decided to head to the North and the first top

mentioned was Great Gable. As we chalked off a top ten last time out it seemed a good idea to do another one this time as well. We arrived at the Honister Mine car park just after 8 and tucked into the Angus steak and kidney pie, (I had bought 2 the day before so was looking forward to one for tea as well!) and got ready for the walk.

It was quite misty as we set off around 8.30 towards Fleetwith Pike. As the car park is around 1000 feet we had already taken out quite a bit of height but there was still plenty ahead. It was a very steady walk up to our first bait stop around 10.15 seen on the right. It was a shame it was so misty as we could not see the top of Gable and it is such an impressive mountain.

We could see the path we were going to take from the bait stop and set off towards the more

strenuous part of the walk. When we reached what we thought was Windy Gap we could not see very much at all and were unsure which direction to take.

After much discussion and compass viewing, the mist cleared very briefly, giving us a better view and we decided to turn to the left. With hindsight that was the right decision as the other option would have taken us to Kirk Fell. However it was a very steep climb from here and I was regretting missing some stepper sessions!! There was a fair bit of scrambling over large rocks and apparently we had taken the hardest route to the top. Well I suppose if you are going to do it you might as well do it the hard way!

We reached the summit about 12.15, there is a WW2 memorial at the top with a plaque and a basket of poppies. We stopped for a couple of photos and then set off back down. As expected as this is a top 10 mountain the descent was not the easiest on the knees. Also the promised weather forecast did not come true, in fact it got wetter and wetter!

We stopped for another bait stop on the way down and a chance for another couple of pictures as the mist cleared occasionally. We got back to the car about 3.00pm and headed for home. We have arranged a date for the Christmas walk of 11th December and everyone has their list of stuff to bring.

Great to get another top 10 chalked off despite the weather and looking forward to the next one.

See you in December.

Skiddaw

Its been a couple of months since we were out so we were all looking forward to this walk. Steve was driving in his new Mercedes (very nice it was too) so he picked me up bang on 5.45 am and we set off to get Peter. We were on the road to the Lake District shortly after 6.00 am.

The options for today were the Newlands Valley with the possibility of up to four tops, High Street or Skiddaw. We decided on Skiddaw, I quite liked the idea of chalking off another top 10 mountain as I have to do them all eventually. So we headed over the A66 towards Keswick, arriving at our parking spot at about 7.45 am. Of course the customary pies were brought along by Peter although a request was made for the return of the Scotch Eggs, I will have to see what I can do for the next walk! It was quite a warm morning even before 8 o'clock so we knew we were in for a hot walk.

We set off just after 8.00 am heading off towards Dash Falls, passing through a number of gates with Dash Farm on our left. We passed by the foot of Dead Crags and Steve and Peter told me about when they climbed that route on a previous walk, whilst it did not look too arduous from the bottom as we began to walk around the Crags and got a different perspective you could see how steep it was and also the lack of good footholds. We arrived at Dash Falls about 9.00 am for our first bait stop. Although it was quite warm and the sun was trying to break through, as we stopped it started to rain. Fortunately it was just a quick shower and it soon passed. Dash Falls was not very high today, both Steve and Peter had seen it much higher they said.

So we turned right at Dash Falls and started a steady climb up towards Skiddaw summit, it was a very straight walk up to the summit of Bakestall where we turned left and could see Skiddaw in the distance. We decided to stop for another cuppa shortly after we turned left in a small

shelter. The higher we got the wind was blowing quite hard although it was still warm.

There was a short, flat stretch before we started to climb again although we all agreed that this last part of the climb was not as hard as the pull away from Dash Falls. We reached the summit at 11.30, it was very windy as you can tell from the pictures but I was very happy that one of the big ones was done!

The summit comprises a trig point, a view-finder and a small shelter. It was a bit breezy to hang around so we began to descend, just as we were leaving the summit we saw one of the strangest sights you occasionally come across on the fells, a bloke walking towards us, dressed as if he was going for a Sunday stroll to church, complete with some kind of man bag in his hand and even a brolly! This was over 3000 feet high in the Lakeland fells - amazing!

Anyway back to the walk, the descent towards the Long Side ridge was steep and made up of scree so quite slippy. Apparently Skiddaw is the only mountain in the Lakes that is from volcanic origin. When we got down to the start of the ridge we had another sit down to decide whether to take the ridge down or go straight down into the valley below and back to the car. Once out of the wind it was very warm and sunny so we had a good sit down, took on more liquids and finished off the last of our bait.

We decided on the route down into the valley, well it was my call and looked like the easier route! In the end I am not sure that it was easier! There was no path really on this route so we just headed in the general direction. The first bit was all scree, eventually falling into a grassy slope down to the stream. It was one of those nice walks back to the car, over a few fields and through a farm and over a stream.

We were back at the car by about 2.00pm and went into Bassenthwaite to The Sun Inn for a pint. Excellent walk, good weather, good company as always and we are hoping to try and fit another one in during July.

Lonscale Fell

Peter was driving this morning and arrived to pick me up just before 6.00 am. I packed my gear in his car and we went for Steve. We arrived at the car park about 7.45 am and had our customary pie for breakfast!

We set off walking at 8.00 am and from the car park you could see clearly the path we were going to take up Jenkins Hill towards Skiddaw Little Man. There was a little hazy sunshine but quite warm for April. We walked through a few gates and then started climbing straight away. Even at that early hour there were quite a few walkers on the path. As we got higher the view got better and better.

We stopped for a cuppa to take in the view and then a little higher up the path we took a right towards Lonscale Fell. The walk levelled out a little now until we reached a clear straight stretch all the way to the top. We reached the top at about 9.45 with great views towards Skiddaw. Although we considered tackling this as well we decided it was not for today.

We stopped for a few photos and then looked for the descent. We found a very good bait stop just off the summit overlooking Blencathra and stayed there for a while in the warm sunshine.

Around 11.00 am we started to descend, a fairly quick but steady descent took us back to the car park. As we were coming down we watched about 6 or more paragliders on Blencathra and as we got to the car park it was packed with cars and trailers with Hang Gliders and Micro Lights. A perfect day for those activities.

A quick pint in the Sportsmans and then we headed to Penrith for another and to watch the lunchtime match.

Click here to see all photos.

Raise and Sheffield Pike

It's been a while, our last Lake District walk was in June and with a short walk in Melrose in August it's certainly been a while. So it was good to get back out and tackle a couple of walks on what turned out to be a chilly and very wet day.

It was my turn to drive so Peter arrived for me a little later than planned due to ice on his windscreen - a sign of things to come! We called for Steve and were on our way shortly after 6.00 am. The forecast was not clear with rain forecast in some places and fine in others so we were not sure where to go. We were all taking into account the fact that we had not been out for a while and so wanted to "take it a bit easier". So we decided to drive to Glenridding and drive up to the Youth Hostel to get a bit of height and walk Raise and Sheffield Pike.

Arriving in Glenridding just after 8.00am we tucked into the Angus the Butcher Steak and Kidney pie, now part of our ritual (although we are still not getting them for free despite all the mentions!). Always a good start to the day, we set off towards Raise. The weather was fairly fine at this stage although a little cold, we could see mist on the tops. It was a steady walk nearly all the way to the top, nothing too strenuous. Just as we were approaching the top we put another layer on as the temperature was dropping as we walked into the mist. We reached the summit just after 10.30 and stuck around long enough for a couple of photos as it was quite cold and windy.

We decided to drop from the summit into some rocks to have lunch and get out of the wind. We settled down to eat lunch on some rocks and it started to snow, early November and the first snow! It was quite wet snow but it came down quickly.

So we got on our way towards Sheffield Pike in blizzard conditions! As we dropped the snow turned to rain but it did continue to rain. Over on the right we could see the ski lift (which could almost be used today). We had to descend almost to the valley to begin to climb Sheffield Pike so it was almost like climbing 2 separate mountains today. We passed a large party of cyclists who were on their way up to the Dodds range with their bikes on their backs. Looked like hard work to me! As we started to climb Sheffield Pike it was very boggy and quite slippy as Steve found out - 3 times. Peter nicknamed him Tumbles Carragher!

We arrived at the summit of Sheffield Pike around 12.30 but no time to stop for photo's unfortunately as it was very wet by now. So we headed straight back down to the car to dry off. Just time for a pint in the Ramblers bar in Glenridding. A good walk and another 2 tops chalked off towards the target. We also started to plan the Christmas walk which will happen later this month or just before Christmas. Watch this space.

PS. I am writing this 2 weeks after our walk and in the aftermath of the dreadful floods that have hit the Lake District in the past few days. Our thoughts are very much with all those who have suffered this week.

Weekend in Melrose

A bit of a change this month, rather than a walk in the Lakes we visited the original "Man of the Mountains" Colin Lewis and his wife Kate in Scotland. I remember hearing tales of Colin walking in the Lake District when I was a boy - well maybe not quite but Colin started all the Lake District walking for us. Steve joined him in the early 90's and then Peter and then me. He moved to Montrose - sorry Melrose (long story) about 5 years ago. So Steve picked me up about 12.30 and we went for Peter and pointed the car in the direction of Scotland. Just north of Jedburgh we got the first sight of the 3 hills we were going to walk on Sunday morning. Very pretty countryside with literally 3 hills that just stood out.

We arrived at Colin and Kates around 2.30, just in time to watch Soccer Saturday on SkySports and look at the scores coming in. Kate had prepared us a fantastic meal and then we went to the pub - well it was a holiday, it would be rude not to! Melrose is a very pretty Borders town steeped in history with only one issue as far as I could tell - the pub we were in could not look after Black Sheep bitter. That was easily fixed by going to another pub and going for John Smiths instead. We were back home in time to watch MOTD and have a few more beers - oh and a special guest appearance! Yes no blog article is complete without a mention of the Angus the Butcher steak pie (how many mentions do I have to give them to get a free one?)

Sunday morning started misty and wet, Kate had again prepared a great breakfast to start our day. We waited until 11.00am before taking a short drive to the foot of the Eildon Hills and the start of the walk. The first hill was the central hill and the highest and the steepest. After reaching the top we started to descend towards the next hill and the heavens opened and we got completely soaked. However as we reached half way between the first hill and the second it started to clear up and the sun made an appeareance so we carried on. As it got clearer and as we started to climb we could begin to see Melrose in all its glory, it was a great view from here. Looking from the top of the second hill, we could also see the site of the Roman Fort that was here in the 2nd Century. The last hill was the easiest and the lowest and we were back at the car just after 1.00pm. A good stretch of the legs to help compensate for all the beer and good food we had consumed.

Kate sent us on our way with another great meal and we were on the road south just after 3.30. A very relaxing weekend spent in good company and superb countryside. A big thanks to Colin and Kate for putting us up for the weekend, thanks to Steve for driving and thanks to Peter for putting up with my snoring! Looks like the next walk may not be until the end of September, looking forward to it.

Swirl How and Grey Friar

My turn to drive so peter arrived at my house about 5.45 am and we picked up Steve.  As we started the drive to the lake District we were not sure where to go.  It was clear that it was going to be a great day so Wasdale was an option and Yewbarrow.  Another option was around Coniston with perhaps Weatherlam or maybe Swirl How and Grey Friar as possible contenders.  As we were driving down the A1 we discussed the options and decided the shorter drive to the Coniston fells would be better.  We decided the possibility of 2 tops (or maybe even 3 if we were quick) was best and so it was decided that we would do Swirl How and Grey Friar.

We arrived in Coniston village just before 8 am, we drove up the Walna Scar road towards the Car park at the top although we were surprised to bump into 3 lads who had clearly been enjoying the night life of coniston and were heading up the hill!!  We parked at the car park where there were already a number of cars and tents and it was clear that Saturday night had been a good one, the humpy humpy music was still banging out!  I had forgotten to go to Angus the butcher so no pie today I'm afraid but Steve had brough Scotch Eggs and I took some last

 minute sausage rolls!  So we took to the hills shortly after 8am, the sun was already shining and we had plenty of sun protection and the bags were weighed down with copious quantities of

water.

It was a steady walk through Boulder valley towards Levers Water and we arrived there just before 9.30.  

                                                                                       Time for a quick snack and a cuppa at Levers Water with Swirl How in the background.

We walked around the Tarn and started to climb up to the summit of Swirl How, it got quite steep and was hard work especially in the heat of late morning.  Towards the top of the climb Peter veered off to the right through the rocks where he lost his

 sunglasses!  We arrived at the top just before midday.                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                      

At this stage we were heading for Grey Friar but we were considering coming back to Swirl How and then on to Weatherlam. However the heat got the better of us and we settled for 2 tops today.

            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          From the summit of Swirl How looking towards Grey Friar                                                                                                                                                 

A long, slow and very hot descent more or less followed our path up the mountain.  Peter also found his sunglasses on the way down!

A really good walk on a great early summers day finished with a refreshing pint in Coniston.  Next walk planned in June.

Tarn Crag and Branstree

Peter picked me up just after 6 am and we drove to Steves, on the road by 6.15.  As the weather forecast was not clear we were not sure whether to go to Great End or to Longsleddale.  As we thought it would be wet to start with at Great End we went with the Longsleddale option so we turned off the A66 and headed for Kendal.  We arrived about 8am and got tucked into the traditional Angus the butchers Steak pie.  A great start to the day again!  We parked at the end of the road into Longsleddale and started walking up the gravelly path.  It was a steady start and very gradually started to climb.  After about a half hour we came across an unexpected sight on the pathway.

We are not sure how this car got as far up the track without 4

 wheel drive or indeed what it was doing there.  Anyway you can just make out the path we had just walked in the distance behind the car.

After about another 15 minutes we came to a gate where we had to turn right and start our climb proper.  We decided it was time for a cuppa so stopped just after the gate, behind the wall for shelter as the wind was starting to build up.  Peter had brought some paste eggs.  The 3 eggs were fully kitted out in red and white, one was Djibril Cisse, one was Kenwyne Jones and one was Andy Reid.  So first of all Cisse and Jones fought it out for top dog and Cisse drew first blood by cracking KJ's head.  A second blow to the gut finished him off.  Andy Reid took on the winner and Cisse must have been weakened in the battle with Jones as a crack appeared in his head straight away.  Reidy then followed up with a pile driver so the little

 Irish fella ended up the Champ.  After scoffing the Sunderland strike force we set off up the

 mountain sticking close to the fence all the way until the fence crossed our path.  We climbed over the fence and arrived at the summit around 10.30.  

You can make out to my right why this mountain is called Tarn Crag.  You can probably also make out that it was pretty chilly on the top.  So we didn't stay too long, just enough to get this photo and then set off on the same path and then started to drop quite a bit into a very boggy area before we started to climb again towards Branstree.  We arrived at the summit just before noon.  The top was about 10 yards behind a fence but very exposed so we took the opportunity 

to have another cuppa in the shelter of the wall.

Again you can see that the wind hadn't dropped and it was also raining quite heavily now.  Just over the fence on Steves left was the summit of Branstree.

We quickly jumped over the fence to reach the summit and then started back down to the car.

It was a steady descent again today so easy on the knees.  After 20 minutes or so we joined the path and wound our way down until we reached the gate where a few hours earlier the egg battle had taken place.  The car was still futher down the path as well and it would take some work to reverse back down the valley!  Arrived back at the car around 2pm and then went for a pint in Kirkby Lonsdale where Steve gave Peter and myself a lesson in pool!

So thats 6 tops down and its only 4th April, well on target.  The next planned walk is for the weekend of 10th May.

Great Calva & Knott

My turn to drive today so Peter arrived at my house for about 6 am and then we went for Steve.  We were off to do 2 tops very close to the 2 we did last time out, Great Calva and Knott.  We arrived at Mosedale just before 8 am but we parked up the road near the old mine workings at Swineside.  Once again Angus the Butcher from Seaham provided our breakfast, steak pie, excellent start to the day.  There was a chilly wind blowing and it was a little misty when we set off towards Great Calva.  The first part of the walk was on the flat for about 40 minutes or so until we crossed the stream and then began the long climb to the first top.  It was a very straight climb today after the first 40 or 50 yards.  At the top of the climb we turned right and arrived at the summit just after 10.00 am.  We found a little wind break to have a cup of tea.  Then we headed off for Knott.  The temperature seemed to have dropped when we left the wind break and it was still misty.  We headed in the general direction of Knott and started to drop down a little.  A quick check of the map confirmed that we were going in the right direction and as we dropped in height it became a little clearer.  

Pretty soon we started to climb again and it was another straight pull 

up the hill.  We arrived at the summit of Knott just after midday, 2 down again by lunchtime!  Just time for a couple of photos. 

When we left the summit of Knott we started to drop and fairly soon we could see Lingy Hut in

 the distance which is where we had our lunch last time out.  As we got closer we could see it was occupied and also it was a short climb to get to it so we decided to keep descending and found

 some rocks to have another sit down, another cuppa and time for another photo.

This one is looking back at Carrock Fell from our bait stop.  Once again a steady drop down to the old mine workings (not too much problem for my knee again) and the car was just after the mine.  Off to the pub for a couple of beers and it looks like the next walk is going to be the week before Easter 4th or 5th April.

Carrock Fell & High Pike

Steve picked me up at 5.45 to start our previously postponed Christmas walk.  We drove over to pick up Peter and then started the journey to the Lakes.  As the last walk was in November and on that walk my knees were in bad shape I was a little apprehensive.  We got to Mosedale just before 8.00 am, Peter had brought a steak pie from Angus the butcher in Seaham which was a great start to the day.

We walked towards Swineside and almost immediately started climbing, whilst the climb was not over strenuous coming so early in the day it was still hard work.  The first part of the climb was mainly negotiating lots and lots of boulders and gorse bushes.  However once we got to the top of the shoulder the walk became much easier.  At this stage we could not see the summit but the climb was much steadier now.

The wind was starting to pick up and it was quite cold.  

Very soon we came across some old ruins which we decided to shelter behind the walls to have a cuppa. From here we could see the summit.  We had our drink and a frankfurter courtesy of Steve and then headed off for the summit.  I put an extra layer on as the wind was quite biting now.  We got to the summit and almost immediately headed for High Pike as it was too cold to stand around.  As we dropped below the summit slightly the wind also

 dropped.  The walk to High Pike was about 2 miles but the summit was always in view.  There was a sprinkling of snow in a few places as we crossed the

 fell.  About 40 minutes later we arrived at the summit of High Pike, 2 down by lunchtime and more importantly 2 down by the end of January, ahead of my target of 1 per month.

We stopped to take a few pictures at the top of High Pike as there were good views from there.

This picture is looking back towards Carrock Fell from High Pike.

Satisfied with two tops knocked off we headed for Lingy Hut for our belated Christmas lunch. About half an hour later we arrived at Lingy Hut and it was empty.  Christmas lunch was Chicken breasts courtesy of Steve, Wine courtesy of Peter and Mince pies and custard from me.  Peter also brought the XMAS crackers. After our fill of Christmas fayre we headed back down to the car. On leaving the hut I got a twinge in my left knee even though the descent was quite gentle.  However it was nowhere near as bad as St Sunday Crag.  It was a steady drop down to the valley to some disused mine workings and then along the road back to Swineside and the car.  

Next walk already planned for 22nd February, after such a good walk today I can't wait!