There seems to be a demand for Christmas walks so in response we've devised a short programme between Christmas and New Year, Pete and Lyn will be leading them together. Our accompanying view of Blencathra shows part of the walk planned for Monday 29 Dec. Lyn and Bella have walked up Mousethwaite Comb from the bus stop at Scales, they're at 345279 and are about to disappear down into the valley of the Glenderatera in front of them. That's the steep grassy flank of Bannerdale Crags on the right; beyond is Blencathra with the bare rock of Sharp Edge leading upwards to the top of snow clad Foule Crag. The route follows the Glenderamakin to the col between Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra at 328292. From there it's a stiff climb to the top of Foule Crag followed by an easy stroll to the summit of Blencathra 868m/2847ft. From there we make a fine airy traverse of the summit ridge to Blease Fell top, then descend to the Blencathra Centre and back to Keswick along the old Railway Track.Grade A, 9 miles, meet 10am Keswick Moot Hall, £12 each, bus fare extra.
Saturday 29 December's walk starts as usual from outside the Moot Hall in the centre of Keswick; we'll take the launch across Derwentwater to Hawes End then ascend the steep north ridge; there are some surprising rocky outcrops towards the top that need to be negotiated with care, especially in the wet; the views from the ridge are wonderful so we hope for clear weather over the Christmas week. It's about a mile from the summit of Catbells 14181ft to Maiden Moor 1887ft, our second Wainwright peak of the day, then on along the broad ridge between Borrowdale and Newlands Valley to High Spy, highest of the day's tops at 2143ft. We descend steeply from this point south towards Rigg Head then follow Tongue Gill down through the old quarry workings to the valley floor and the village of Rosthwaite for the bus back to Keswick.Photo: Catbells from Latrigg above Spooney Green Lane last winter.
Grade B, 6 miles, meet 10am Keswick Moot Hall, £12 each, transport extra.
On Wednesday 31December the walk is a circuit of Derwentwater, there's no transport involved, we start and finish walking from the Moot Hall. It's a varied and interesting walk with fine open views. It's just over 10 miles but there are no serious ascents, only the short pull up to Walla Crag at 1234ft the highest point of the outing, then it's easy going down to Ashness Bridge and along the track towards Watendlath, though we turn down through the woods to High Lodore Farm well before the hamlet is reached. We cross the marshy head of Derwentwater by the newly refurbished boardwalk and turn north along the west shoreline of the lake. The path wends its way through fine woodland with ever changing vistas across the lake, it leads past Peter Rabbit's garden to Nichol End and from there it is a short walk through Portinscale back to the bright lights of Keswick on New Year's Eve.
Grade B, 10miles, meet Keswick Moot Hall 10am, £12 each
Photo: Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake from Walla Crag last winter.
