September Walks 2019

Blea Rigg with a passing shower looking towards Silver How.

Pete has been out on the local fells guiding recently and thought it high time he updated the Blog, so here are some pictures of recent outings with Frank and Trish, walkers from the USA.

Pete will continue to offer his private guiding services through the Autumn months, so if you would like a great day out on the Lake District fells, at reasonable cost, just get in touch and book yourself an adventure. You'll go further with a guide and Pete will arrange a suitable day out for you.

Bella, Pete's Border Terrier usually comes too, she's not on these pictures as she's had a wart that was troubling her removed from her foot by the vet so she's grounded for a couple of weeks.

The weather improved recently after a wet August though it was still showery and windy on Blea Rigg above Easdale at the beginning of the week.

Looking from Blea Rigg towards Silver How above Grasmere.

The following pictures are from our walk on Helvellyn today, the weather was great and the hill was busy with walkers, runners, mountain bikers and even a few on e-bikes, who were saving themselves the trouble of pedalling.



Ascent of Raise Beck from Dunmail Raise.

We took the 555 bus at 0930 from Keswick and got off at the top of Dunmail Raise with the intention of climbing Dollywaggon Pike and Nethermost Pike as well as Helvellyn.

The path leading to Grisedale Tarn at the top of Raise Beck

Grisedale Tarn nestles below Fairfield and Dollywaggon

Grisedale Tarn is at about 550m and comes into view after the ascent of Raise Beck, it's just over an hour's walk from the bus stop on Dunmail Raise. We stopped here for elevenses and took some time out to appreciate the grandeur of our surroundings.

Ascending the zig-zag path from the tarn towards the summit of Dollywaggon Pike.

Summit cairn on Dollywaggon Pike 858m with a distant view of Ullswater

Frank and Trish on Dollywaggon with High Crag beyond

Walkers ascending Dollywaggon's south ridge from Grisedale Tarn.

Ruthwaite Cove from High Crag with Grisedale below and  Ullswater in the distance.

Dollywaggon Pike seen across Cock Cove from High Crag

It was a steep pull up onto High Crag 884m

Pete, Frank and Trish at the trig point on Helvellyn 950m

Pete and Trish from Washington in the US took the 78 bus up to Seatoller earlier in the week and walked back to Keswick. We ascended High Spy by way of Rigghead Quarries, there were a few showers which turned into squalls of rain which filled my shoes from the top as we approached Maiden Moor though they soon dried out. We dropped down before we came to Catbells and turned down Yewthwaite Gill from Hawse Gate to pick up the road from Skelgill. We made our way easily then to Lingholm, where we had coffee on the terrace, warmed by the sun which, having hidden for most of the day, relented and put in a welcome appearance.

High Spy above Borrowdale, cool and windy with atmosphere.

Maiden Moor as the sun came out and lit up the summit.

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.

Helvellyn 18th February

Pete took this shot from near the top of Raise Gill, looking over Dunmail Raise to Steel Fell when he and Bella were on the way up to Grisedale Tarn last Thursday. From there they climbed the zig-zag path up to Dollywagon Pike; there's still a lot of snow on the hills and it was really hard going. It misted in just beyond the tarn, and with visibility reduced to a few yards, they struggled to follow the path. It cleared a little once and Pete got a glimpse of Nethermost Pike ahead so he knew they were going in the right direction. The mist thickened as the pair walked over Nethermost Pike and they saw practically nothing until they heard voices ahead and saw the shelter on top of Helvellyn emerging from the murk. And there were people... lots of them, who'd come up from Wythburn and Swirls. The intrepid duo dropped off Helvellyn by the main tourist path to Swirls though this was practically obliterated by the snow; Pete's Kahtoola mini-crampons really came into their own on the steep sections of what was a rapid descent and they had time for coffee at the King's Head while they waited for the 3 o'clock bus back to Keswick.

Here's Bella in her warm jacket, on the descent from Helvellyn, just below Brown Cove Crags.