Memories from a trip to Keswick - 2011
March 2011 - Another week at the Britannia Keswick flat was enjoyed my
Al, Swarbs, Jon, Sarah and myself. The forecast for the week was excellent
so plans were made for a great few days of walking.
Geraint had arranged to sleep over on the Monday night so a couple of walks
were planned with the Grunt.
SUNDAY
Nothing too adventurous was the plan for the Sunday so we decided to take a
quick 9 miler around Derwent Water from Keswick. The weather was dullish but
we enjoyed a good walk thanks to a sarnie and a couple of pints at the
Lodore Hotel.
A moody scene over Derwent Water.
MONDAY
Jon and I met Geraint at Rosthwaite where I'd paid £6 for a day's
parking. Geraint knew of numerous parking spots along the road to
Stonethwaite so I'd pissed £6 up the wall.
Alison and Dave were to tackle Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell whilst Sarah
had awoken with a swollen ankle so was to spend the day enjoying the
delights of Keswick.
Our plan was to tackle the grade 2 scramble up Cam Crag and continue over
Glaramara and Allen Crags. The weather was bright but the tops were covered
in cloud. The forecast promised clearer conditions as the day progressed so
we marched down Langstrath in the hope of a bright sunny day.
After a couple of miles we headed uphill to the base of Cam Crag ridge and
Geraint proceeded to seek out the route. This looked like being fun.
The scramble went pretty much as expected. Geraint's climbing skills came to
the fore as he powered over grade 2\3 climbs. Jon followed Geraint for the
majority of the route whilst I pissed about looking for the routes suitable
for 17 stone blokes who can't lift their knees up to their chests. At times
though the non-rock route was just as problematic due to an abundance of wet
rock, steep grass and heather as was the case in Scotland the previous year
where Jon and I wimped off the rocks to look for alternative side routes.
The plan was that any fall would result in a steepish grassy bounce rather
than an instant head splitting rock smash.
Geraint on the steepest part of the Cam Crag ridge. Jon and I watched
from the Chicken Ledge.
My lack of movement meant that Geraint had to point out decent holds that
could be relied on. The hands part of the scramble was OK but the need to
lift the legs onto decent holds and pull off was proving to be troublesome.
Jon had had enough of life and was about to jump.
We reached the top of the climb and enjoyed a rather claggy view of nowhere
in particular. We couldn't see the top of Glaramara but the odd moment of
brightness promised better things to come.
It didn't get any brighter.
The top of Glaramara is one of those areas which is best left alone in mist
but nobody was in the mood for turning back so we compassed onwards in the
hope that the cairn would magically appear. The first error was to mistake
the top of Combe Head for Glaramara so a quick GPS check was made which
confirmed our location. We continued in the clag and eventually came across
the rocky rampart which defends Glaramara from northern invaders. We then
made our second error - carrying on!
After peaking on Glaramara we took a quick bearing south towards Allen Crags
but the worsening clag resulted in us heading slightly too far to the west
so a short route amendment was made in order to get back on track. We hit
the 'path' and bimbled over to Allen Crags. Waterproofs were required as the
cloud contained increasing amounts of water.
We reached Allen Crags and descended to the always busy Esk Hause. Except
today there was nobody around - not a sausage. After deciding that we
couldn't see any further than 50 yards another quick compass check was made
and we marched on to Angle Tarn where we would veer north back into
Langstrath. The long walk down Langstrath isn't a yomp thanks to the
variable quality of the path. My gaiter ties decided that tying my legs
together would be a good thing which it wasn't as it resulted in numerous
trips.
We eventually reached Geraint's car and headed back to Keswick for beers and
nosh.
Meanwhile, Al and Dave had conquered Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell but had
failed to summit on High Seat due to worsening weather conditions.
The pig on Bleaberry Fell with Derwent Water and Skiddaw in the
distance.
Dave poses at the same spot.
Beers and curry were enjoyed in Keswick by us all. Where to tomorrow?
TUESDAY
The weather was gorgeous. Jon decided to take break and spend the day with
Sarah and her fat ankle while Dave decided to spend the day with Dave and
his fat ankles.
Al, Geraint and I decided that a trip to the rarely visited northern fells
was the order of the day so we drove to Mungrisdale with the aim of doing
Bannerdale Crags and Bowscale Fell.
The old mine road leading to Bannerdale Crags.
We'd all made the mistake of wearing too much as the weather was superb. The
long gradual plod up to the col between Bannerdale and Bowscale seemed hard
work after the previous night's ale and curry so a rather sedate pace was
set - apart from Al that is who decided to power on up.
Al and Geraint on the path up to Bannerdale Crags.
The view from Bannerdale Crags is interesting in that there's a great vista
over to the Pennines and to the east a 'different' view of Blencathra.
Geraint with Blencathra as a background. Sharp Edge can be seen to the
left with Foule Crag rising behind it.
We retraced our route along the edge of Bannerdale Crags and marched up the
grassy slopes of Bowscale Fell.
You know who on the summit of Bowscale Fell (2306ft).
We descended north towards the hollow of Bowscale Tarn and then headed
steeply down towards the tarn using a faint path that zig zags to the east.
Bowscale Tarn is a peaceful yet impressive spot and thanks to the excellent
weather resulted in a good long moment of contemplation. The frogs were in
fine voice as we looked over the sunlit water.
Bowscale Tarn from above. Can you see the frogs?
After enjoying our mini-break we set off around the hill and followed the
road back to Mungrisdale. On reaching the village what would be better than
enjoying a nice pint of Robinsons at the Mill Inn? Nothing, so we had one!
We sat by the stream and enjoyed the summerlike weather to the full. We said
our goodbyes to Geraint and returned to Keswick after an excellent day's
walk.
THURSDAY
The initial plan was to tackle Great Gable from Seathwaite but as I was
Gabled to death I put forward the idea of Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike. The
group decided that this was a good idea so we all packed into Jon's car and
headed off over the Honister Pass to Gatesgarth Farm.
Sarah's ankle was feeling OK so the famous five were back!
Sarah, Jon and Al on the path to Scarth Gap. Haystacks looms in the
background.
The weather was excellent as we climbed to Scarth Gap. On reaching the gap
we rested for a few minutes before taking on the final scrambly climb onto
Haystacks.
Jon directs Dave over the rocks. This scene was similar to that with
Geraint and I on Cam Crag a few days earlier.
We took lunch on the top of Haystacks with excellent hazy views of Great
Gable and Pillar as our treat. This was proper shorts and t-shirt weather
and we all looked forward to the bimble over to Fleetwith Pike.
Packed lunches being shown on the summit of Haystacks.
Sean's innominate bone as seen next to Innominate Tarn. A rather
unfortunate shot from the lens of Dave. It would have looked a lot worse if
Jon had stood slightly closer.
We walked over Haystacks and descended gently to the head of Warnscale
Bottom before using the unsightly quarry tracks which headed up to the top
ridge of Fleetwith Pike. Dave was offered the chance to abort at this point
but bravely, thanks to my excellent description of the climb ahead, decided
to carry on. Dave was only interested in the detail of the climb so I felt
no urge to describe descent.
The summit of Fleetwith Pike is always a great spot thanks to the excellent
views down towards Buttermere and Crummock. A quick rest stop was taken
before the steep descent down towards Gatesgarth.
Alison enjoying the soft grass of Fleetwith Pike.
I think it's fair to say that Dave didn't enjoy the descent. The numerous
rocky scrambles and gravelly path weren't to his liking but none of this
bothered Al who rifled down the ridge with ease. I followed Al (from a
distance) whilst Jon and Sarah escorted Dave.
Zoom on! Jon and Sarah keep an eye on Dave's descent of Fleetwith Pike.
We decided that a pint at the Bridge Inn was on the cards after another
thoroughly enjoyable day. Jon took the Newlands route back to Keswick before
enjoying a night of ale and nosh (again).
An excellent week was enjoyed by all. Same again next year please.
