Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell & Esk Pike

The walk over Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and Esk Pike into Borrowdale on Thursday 23 June was probably the toughest walk on KR's programme this year. The total distance from the Old Dungeon Gill Hotel in Langdale to Seathwaite Farm was 14.5 kilometers or 9 miles including 1,155 metres of ascent. The group of 10 walkers and a dog, including leaders Pete and Lyn, left the ODG at about 10am and arrived at Seathwaite at 5.30pm. Here we all are outside the ODG ready for the off.

Crinkle Crags 860m or 2816ft loomed above us as we walked towards Stool End farm in Oxendale. It was overcast at first though the sun came out as we began our climb out of the valley towards the first of the five crinkles high above.

This view was taken by Judith our photographer from Great Knott above Oxendale, looking down Browney Gill back towards Pike of Blisco.

The first crinkle of Crinkle Crags comesinto sight as the contours ease off above Great Knott at about 700m.

Looking towards the second crinkle as we approach from the south; this is the summit of Crinkle Crags. There are two paths towards the summit in view, that on the right leads towards the formidable Bad Step which Wainwright refers to as..."the most difficult obstacle met on any of the regular walkers paths in Lakeland." No wonder some of the group opted to walk round it.

Three Tarns 720m. The 3 tarns nestle on the flat col between Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell, a good place for lunch. The weather had changed; it was cool, windy and there was rain in the air.

Looking from the jumbled mass of boulders on the summit of Bow Fell 903m or 2960ft, the highest point on our walk, t0wards the Ore Gap 112m below with Esk Pike 885m or 2903ft beyond. Great End can be seen in the distance behind Esk Pike lit by the sun that smiled on us for the rest of the afternoon, all the way to Seathwaite.

We took a few minutes break at the Ore Gap after descending from Bow Fell to peel off a layer or two of clothing and chat.

The descent into Borrowdale from Esk Hause; here we are above Sprinkling Tarn.

Crossing the bridge over Ruddy Gill just before it joins Allen Gill to become Grains Gill which we followed to Stockley Bridge and Seathwaite. It had been a long day but a most rewarding one.

Bella after a hard day

Cute pose Bella

She was so funny the other day after she came in with Pete from the 'Dodds' walk.  She was pretty wet so I dried her with a towel and then she jumped on the sofa and made herself a nest and in doing so scratched up the pillow so she could rest her head on it. She opened her eye when I took the photo because she does not like being disturbed. I keep the stripey cover on my sofa for these sorties of hers and then shake it out the door later.

The next posting is all about the walks last week so keep an eye out...........

Yesterday

We had a superb walk over Crinkle Crags, down and up again onto Bow Fell and then onto Esk Pike, before descending via Esk Hause off down to Stockley Bridge.  Photos are coming soon as we had an enthusiastic photographer amongst us as well as our efforts.  So hopefully all will be revealed in a special report here soon, of a very exceptional and hard day.

A few slight changes

I have changed the time of the 17th August walk so it now starts at 10am not 1pm as previously stated.

Also I have added a new link to another great outdoors shop http://www.headtothehills.co.uk/

30th Year Celebrations

It was one week ago yesterday that we went up Helvellyn via Raise Beck, Dollywagon and Nethermost Pike onto the summit for our photo shoot before descending down over Whiteside and arriving at the bus stop opposite the Kings Head pub at Thirlspot. I know some of you wanted to come along but could not get away from work so these photos are for you.

Well I had better start showing you some of the photos, but those amongst you who are sharp eyed will have noticed that KR is now on Facebook where if you take a look, you will see the official photo shoot taken by Tom our photographer enlisted for the day. The following photos were taken by Pete and are perhaps more random.....

First up we have the view after we had left Grisedale Tarn and started to go up the stone pathway towards the top of Dollywagon. But who is this chap making his sporty way up the steps; hands in pockets tells you he is super fit........

Carlisle United Football Club hiker

If you take a close look at all the photos posted here and on Facebook you might discover who this mystery Carlisle player is..............mmm

Next, a photo taken on the top of Dollywagon of a hiker who came all the way from Wales to celebrate and join us for our very special day, but a Welsh accent? hmm

Some more of our walkers enjoying the wonderful views and generally standing around and having a rest after that climb up from Grisedale Tarn. We did not hang around for too long though as the wind was cold and more than one person began to wish they had brought along a spare pair of gloves, luckily for them I had 3 pairs with me as I have been caught out in the past with cold fingers on a summer's day.

The view back towards Dollywagon from the ridge leading to Nethermost

Pete and Bella on the summit of Helvellyn

Of course we finally arrived at the summit and had a bite before taking yet more photos. The cold wind was still with us but the sun did pop out as you can see by the shadows.

Posing for the photographer

On the summit I was glad of those warm gloves.

We enjoyed some Elderflower cordial before we set off back down the ridge where we were due to meet up with Alison who had been delayed all morning. She was important because she was carrying up the celebratory carrot cake and lemon drizzle cake which was our thanks to our loyal customers.

Alison turned up just before we reached the summit of Whiteside and we all enjoyed our cake before descending down to the bus stop. I think the bus driver was not too amused at seeing 20 people waiting for his packed bus though..........

If you want to see more photos of this memorable day, go and click on the new facebook button.