Keswick Mountain Festival 2013

 Just a few photos from the last two days of the Mountain Festival, here we all are on day one Wednesday when we walked the ridge from Red Pike over High Stile to High Crag above Buttermere. It did not rain on our parade either!

 Here we are again, just waiting for the stragglers to catch up before we descend down to the valley.

This photo is on the top of Helvellyn on Thursday, and as you can see it keeps it's snow as long as it can.  This was another lovely day when it did not rain until the bus arrived way down at the bottom.

Another lovely photo from the top of Helvellyn, Bella our Border Terrier really enjoyed the hike.

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.