Honist(er) Endeavour

Fells Climbed: Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Base Brown, Green Gable and Great Gable.
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As Claire has taken a bit more interest in our walks and the skills etc associated with it, I elected to let her choose the location for this Sunday's stroll. Scanning the map, she picked Great Gable (A good choice I may add). After discussing the merits of the myriad of ascent options, it was decided a start from Honister.
We set off, with me weighed down with the tripod for my camera and other kit. As the weather was nice, I taught Claire some movement skills associated with simple scrambling and we moved over some small rocky outcrops. This stood us in good stead as we ascended Great Gable as there was a couple of "sporty" moves for the inexpericinced. Alas, the clag was pretty solid up high, apart from a brief interlude on the way from Green Gable to Great Gable, which is shown above.
We met up with a mature couple at the summit who were struggling with their navigation and so took them under our wing for the descent as we went old school with a map and compass, including one pokey downclimb which required a little "spotting". We arrived back at the car over six hours after setting off. A good day out but a longish drive home. I may let Mrs W pick more often if she keeps up this talent of picking classic summits!!!

Lazy Saint Sunday Afternoon

Fells Climbed:

Arnison Crag, Birks, St Sunday Crag, Fairfield (again) Hart Crag, Hartsop Above How:

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After a lay off of a few months, the Trusty Sherpa Mrs W decided to re-enter the Sunday ritual of early starts, sugar laden snacks and knee destroying purgatory that is walk in the Lakes with me. " 10 miles should be OK" were words which came back to haunt her as I took her around the Deepdale Horseshoe. To be fair she gamely plugged up the first half with some gusto. I was trying out my "spiffy" new winter boots and finding them comfortable and really good for small holds on some of the bits I decided to scramble up, whilst Claire took the path.

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The second half of the horseshoe saw the bounce go out of Mrs W's bungee somewhat. The 10 miles went and 4 more Wainwrights added to Claire's count and 4 more for my "3 times or more" count (6 times in Fairfield's case).

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The first picture shows Sherpa Wardle on the top of Cofa Pike. The second is the sun almost breaking through the cloud on Arnison Crag.

Halls Fell Ridge, Blencathra

Fells Climbed: Blencathra, (The Mighty) Mungrisedale Common, Bannerdale Crags, Bowscale Fell and Souther Fell.
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The summer had not been what I had planned for walking etc, so was pleased to get back into the swing of things in early September when my regular walking companion, Paul, came up, looking for some scrambling and to bag a few Wainwrights. We decided to give Halls Fell Ridge (Grade1 **) a bash. To say it was underwhealming would be an understatement. Despite taking the most demanding line possible, it did not tax our skills. (Subsequent training has indicated a grade 2 scramble is more the level we are at now)
However all was redeemed when we scaled the mighty East flank of Mungrisedale Common, probably the most pointless Wainwright in all seven guides. After congratulating ourselves in not falling asleep in its lofty environs, we tagged Bannerdale crags, Bowscale Fell and after some brief liquid refreshment, Souther Fell.
It seems the tribulations of the summer (A bereavement and an illness) took their toll and struggled around the last mile. Not a good portent for the winter season coming up.
The picture is me trying to make the scramble look difficult.