Summer Breeze, Makes Me Feel fine

Fells Climbed: Souther Fell, Blencathra, Mungrisedale Common, Bannerdale Crgs and Bowscale Fell

I try to get out on the first day of summer, as I hope to set the tone for a summer of walking. Last year I managed Great Gable, this year, I thought Blencathra. The forecast promised a good day. They were half right. It didn't rain, but the wind which was forecast at around 30mph and moderating throughout the day, was blowing at least 50mph and did not let up for the whole circuit. Mrs Vic and I set out from Mungrisedale, looking to saunter over Souther Fell. On good days hang-gliders fly from here, but they thought better of it today. It also put paid to any idea of a look at Sharp edge. The alternative is more of a plod, as shown by the wife in the above picture, but Blencathra was eventually gained to much delight. We then went in search of the dullest Wainwright in the entire 7 volumes, which we eventually "ascended". The flat, featureless terrain, did at least allow me to explain how to pace when navigating to the Mrs. We returned via Bannerdale crags and Bowscale fell, ending up (to no-ones suprise no doubt) in the local pub for a drink and substantial roast beef sandwich. The second picture is Sharp edge from Bannerdale. There were a couple of "loonies" up there but most ducked off the top due to the wind.

They are forecasting snow this week, so who knows, maybe I will have to dig out my crampons again, one can only hope.

A trip up the High Street

Fells Climbed: Gray Crag, Thornthwaite Crag, High Street, Kidsty Pike, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, Knott.

Another promising weather forecast saw Mrs W and I return to the Far Eastern Fells. It was in reality a "game of 3 thirds". The start was promising as illustrated by the panorama back towards Brothers Water from Gray Crag. As we approached Thornthwaite Crag the clag rolled in and visibility dropped, meaning Mrs W has still not had a view from High Street. As we hit High Raise it picked up and by the time I suggested Claire took a swim in Hayeswater, the weather was looking ok. Once we got the boots off however, it started to throw it down, making the drive over the Kirkstone pass entertaining, as the visibility had dropped to about 30ft. A brief refreshment break including a pint of "Collie Wobble" (Gives a clue as to the pub) and back in time for the football. Happy days!! There was precious little snow about, with virtaully none below 700m (A few patches on High Street), meaning that the ice axe and crampons can probably go back in the cupboard for the year,

A Note About Lists (A.N.A.L.)

Walkers seem to fall into 2 camps, "Hill Baggers" and "others". I am a self confessed bagger, with a desire to complete lists or catergories of hills, such as the Wainwrights, often to the scorn of my friends.

The arguement follows that you are walking a route, for its own sake, rather than enjoying it. I would say the contrary is true. I will admit I have walked in some shocking weather to climb a particular hill, but a list, such as the Wainwrights or the Munros has taken me to places I would have ordinarily ignored. Without such lists, I may have stayed around Grasmere for all my walks and never seen the Wasdale Valley or Suilven in the Scottish Highlands (I know it is not a munro, but it is a Trail 100). Often, these hills are in a list because they are classics, so providing you are enjoying the walk, completing a list does no harm.

Vic (214 wainwrights, 12 munros, 300+ birketts and 54 of the Trail 100)

Full of (Far) Eastern Promise

A promising weather forecast saw an early reveille for Mrs Vic and I for some "hot hill action". A trip to Troutbeck was planned, taking in Sour Howes, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Troutbeck Tongue, with optional Queens Head (Pub).

Full winter gear was packed as the Met Office were still staying there was snow above 600m. However, there was very little, so basically took the ice axe for a walk. The thaw has started to kick in hard with the tempreture almost in double figures in the valley.

6 hours and a pint of Cumbria Way (Pub option taken) later, saw us back at the car. The new soft shell worked a treat, keeping some biting wind out whilst strolling across the tops. The picture is the Troutbeck valley from the Tongue. In the far distance is Windermere.

Last weekend, my friend Paul came up for a couple of days walking in the Lake District. There was enough snow etc for crampons and ice axe to be added to the bag. Alas, the snow had not thawed and refrozen leading to a hard slog through calf deep powder on both days.

On the Friday, we encountered what the met office refer to as "Challenging conditions" in regards to navigation. (Commonly referred to as "clag"). As we were on some broad ridges around Stybarrow Dodd, we decided to go 'Old School' and practice some bearings and pacing. (Having a GPS as back up in case we messed it up) When we took the bearings etc it was surprisingly good. When we ignored the chance and relied on line of sight, we came undone a couple of times, especially finding the shelter on Great Dodd. The picture (taken by Paul) is me trying to stop my map flying off towards Keswick whilst trying to find our next point.

Saturday, saw us take a stroll up to Red Screes, Middle Dodd and Dove Crag from Ambleside and bag a few Wainwrights (7 in total).

Blog Re-Launch

Well, after a couple of years away from the blog, I thought I would start afresh.
What has happened in the meantime? I have completed The Wainwrights and well on my way to repeating it. I have scrambled in Snowdonia, walked in the snow and ice of Scotland and turned Forty, which was the hardest of the lot.

The picture is the top of Blencathra on one of my Winter days earlier this year.