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!

St Sunday Crag

All 4 of us on this walk, Paul was driving.  We started from Patterdale and walked along the flat for a while and then started climbing to St Sunday Crag.  It was one of those deceptive climbs with shoulder after shoulder before we arrived at the top.  This picture is looking towards the top of St Sunday Crag from our bait stop.

....and this one is looking towards Fairfield from the same position.

Peter and Paul take a breather before the final push to the summit.

St Sunday Crag had a really steep descent which really crippled my knee.   But thats another one down and 12 this year which I am pleased about.  If I can do another 12 next year I will be happy.

The Dodds Range

Left home at 6.30 arriving in the Lakes around 8.15. Parked at Hill Top Farm and started walking around 8.30 am. First top was Clough Head followed by Great Dodd and then finished off with Stybarrow Dodd. Quite a steep decline was tough on my knees however and then we faced a 2 or 3 mile walk along the road back to the car. Legs were a bit stiff on Monday but pleased to get 3 more under my belt. Only Peter and Derek on this one again. Next walk due early November. The planning has already started for the Christmas walk.

Grasmoor and Eel Crag

2 big fellas today, although Peter wanted to do 4 tops, I could only cope with the 2. A little bit of scrambling over rocks involved as well. Good walk this one, managed to get a few good photos.

Brandreth & Haystacks

Set off from Honister Pass just after 8.00 am. Walked up to Drum House and turned left up to Brandreth. Back down again to Haystacks and then back down from there to sit at Innominate Tarn for an hour or so in the sun. Back down for a beer at the Scafel Hotel. Only Derek & Peter on this walk.

Fleetwith Pike

A shortish walk this one as we start quite high up on the Honister Pass. A very foggy, wet and windy day however so it was quite hard work. Only stayed at the top for a few seconds just to say I had been there! Steve and Peter on this one. Too foggy to get any good pictures!

Place Fell

Set off from Peterlee just before 6.00 am in Dereks car. It was freezing cold when we left and as we arrived in the Lakes the temperature was as low as -7. Stopped briefly on the shores of Ullswater to get a great shot of the Lake, beautiful sky in the background and a slight haze on the mountains. We parked in Patterdale and ate the Scotch Eggs to give us energy! (Peter loves the Scotch Eggs). We started walking about 8.00 am and as usual started the slow climb up the mountain. It was a perfect day for walking, very cold but very clear, not a cloud in the sky.