Good start to the week last Saturday as we arrived in Keswick at midday to
glorious sunshine. Gentle 'warm-up' walk from Great Wood car park across to
Ashness Bridge, then up to Walla Crag for a coffee and a sandwich. In the
car since 5:50 that morning so it was good to be getting a little exercise.
Excellent photo opportunity from Walla over Derwent Water and the Newland
Valley Falls. Next stop was Braathwaite and unpacked at our cottage ....
then the Coldedale Inn for a hearty meal and a pint.
The main aim of the week was next day Sunday, attending the Great Gable
service. The National Park weather forecast was spot on ....... rain and
wind. Clare and Helen went for another walk up Walla Crag, while Keith and
I set off from Seathwaite, via Gillercomb and Green Gable, for Great Gable.
The rain wasn't too bad, didn't need a jacket, gloves or hat until Green
Gable. On top by 10:40 and stood in the crowd for a coffee and butty.
Service over, it was back via Styhead Tarn to Seathwaite. Was hoping for a
clear day after the Saturday, but maybe next year.
The weather remained the same for the next 4 days, although Tuesday was the
only day Clare and I didn't get out. Monday was a short walk from Grassmere
out past Helm Crag and followed the path up alongside Green Burn. Had
intended going over Steel Fell but too wet and windy. Anyway, at the head
of Green Burn, we joined the ridge path back out to Helm Crag for Lunch.
Still windy and wet, but in our backs so not a problem. Plenty of wet gear
to dry that night though.
Next outing was on Wednesday. Started from Grange and went up Kings How and
down to Rosthwaite. Followed paths over to Seatoller then joined the
Allerdale Ramble to return to Grange. Very windy and wet as we went up from
Seatoller, but was almost dry by the time we arrived back at Grange.
Thursday was to be a trip from Brothers Water over High Hartsop Dodd to Dove
Crag, but on reaching Patterdale the weather was terrible. So, a drive over
the Kirkstone Pass and down The Struggle (can see why its called that!) to
Ambleside ...... and bought a rather smart Marmot Glenmore jacket as a
present to my self. Smart new winter jacket. Well, the rain seemed to
ease, so it was off to Grassmere for a short circuit around Easedale Tarn.
Dry on the way out ..... and poured it down on the way back. But, as
forecast, it was turning to sleet on the higher Fells. Really excited on
the way back to Keswick, as there was a reasonable gathering of snow on the
Helvellyn range.
Great news on Friday, clear sky and plenty of snow around. It was in the
car on back down to Patterdale for the walk over High Hartsop Dodd.
Brilliant! Good covering of snow as we made our way from Little Hart Crag
to Dive Crag, with stunning views all around. What an end to the week. We
descended between Dove Crag and Hart Crag, which was a little scary as the
constructed path was iced over. Great care was needed. I was buzzing on
reaching the car, as couldn't believe our luck at getting snow. A fitting
end to a wet week.
Some photos from the week will be on my web site early next week.
Off to change now to attend a Charity Ball ..... could do with staying in
though with a beer for a rest.
--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'