Keswick Mountain Festival 2015

Feb 3rd View from Cat Bells looking W. to Hindscarth and Robinson.

Keswick Mountain Festival 14-17 May 2015.

KR Guided Walks KMF Programme.

Thursday 14/5 ...Haystacks
Friday 15/5     ...Great Gable
Saturday 16/5 ...Cat Bells
Sunday 17/5   ...Buttermere to Keswick, 6 Wainwright Tops.


Cat Bells is truly a hill for all seasons, here you see it at its best on a bright crisp winter morning in February. Pete has put Cat Bells on the programme for the Keswick Mountain Festival this year on the Saturday... 16/5.

Rising to1481ft /451m Cat Bells repays with interest the modest effort of the climb, the views are truly spectacular in all directions. Access on the day to the hill will be by launch across Derwent Water to Hause End. Ascent will be the "quiet way" along the track from Skelgill and up through the old workings to Hause Gate where astonishing views open out over the lake far below; it's an easy amble from there to the summit, join Pete for a great day out at the KMF.







Keswick Mountain Festival 2014

The dates of the KMF 2014 are 15th - 18th May.


You'll notice that the festival is only on for four days this year, Thursday to Sunday...Wednesday has been dropped. There's new management involved in the festival this year which unsurprisingly meant a hike in price to providers, though KR with their customary restraint have not passed this on; our charges remain the same as last year...£20 per walk. New management, I'm assured, means increased numbers attending the festival which will more than make up for increased charges...Hmmm.

I hope you're coming to the festival this year and here to whet your appetite is KR's programme for the four days. More fulsome information is available on the KMF website where, from 20 January, bookings can be made at... http://www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/activities/category/hike




Thursday 15 May.

1. Skiddaw's 7 Wainwrights...with Halle and Alison

2. Not the Fairfield Horseshoe...with Cathy

3. Cam Crag Ridge and Rosthwaite Fell... with Pete and Lyn

Friday 16 May.

4. Robinson, Hindscarth and Dale Head ridge...with Halle and Alison

5. Easdale Tarn and Blea Rigg...with Cathy

6. Buttermere to Keswick, over the tops...with Pete and Lyn

Saturday 17 May

7. Catbells and the Lakeshore...with Halle and Alison

8. Blencathra and Bannerdale Crags... with Cathy

9. Pavey Ark and the Langdale Pikes... with Pete and Lyn.

Sunday 18 May

10. Grisedale Pike...with Halle and Alison

11. Bessyboot and Glaramara...with Cathy. (Hike and Navigation)

12. The Dodds; Stybarrow Dodd to Clough Head...with Pete and Lyn


You can see pictures of all these walks by clicking on the list in the right hand column.

A photo taken down by the lake on Boxing Day

Paul Ross holding Nettle, Marea with Bess, Pete with Bella and Dennis with two retired hound trailers.

Some of you may remember the old days of Keswick Rambles when Paul Ross was one of our leaders and then he decamped to Colorado for about 14 years, well he is back and still keeping Jack Russell terriers so we all went for a hike together for old time's sake. Paul is still a very active climber and he is well known around here for putting up many new routes on the local crags and also loads of them in the US too.

We have also confirmed the hikes we are doing for the Keswick Mountain Festival 2014 and the dates for that are 15th to 18th May.  The organisers have cut the festival down from 5 days to only 4 so it starts on the Thursday until the Sunday.  I will post up the hikes very soon but there are not as many hike providers as in previous years so you may find that you need to book well ahead to make sure of your place. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Pavey Ark and the Langdale Pikes today for the KMF

This was the scene ontop of Pike o Stickle at about 2.30 today.  We had set off in appalling rain and rising waters at 10.15 from the New Dungeon Ghyll car park to climb Pavey Ark, but found the river impossible to cross safely so we had to take a much longer route to detour around the problem.  Suffice it to say that Pete's navigation with map and compass was as accomplished as ever and we soon made off for the top of Pavey once we established some new bearings in the mist. After Pavey we took more bearings and set off for Harrison Stickle, then Pike of and lastly Loft Crag.  We all had a through wetting in the morning but by the afternoon the 'precipitation' eased off and we enjoyed slightly dryer hiking back to Langdale.  Not many photos could be taken in these conditions I am sorry to say.

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.

Keswick Mountain Festival 15 - 19th May 2013

We now have our list of walks for the above.  I will be simply posting this list today and then I will highlight the details of each walk over the next few days starting with the Wednesday.

Wednesday 15th  Pete Armstrong, Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag
Wednesday 15th Alison Stott & Halle, Skiddaw Six Wainwrights
Thursday 16th Pete Armstrong, Hellvelyn traverse; Dollywagon Pike to Raise
Thursday 16th Cathy Colam, Haystacks
Friday 17th Alison Stott & Halle, 2 Lakes, 3 Tarns & 2 Cafés
Friday 17th Lyn Armstrong, Carrock Fell and High Pike
Friday 17th Cathy Colam, Great Gable
Saturday 18th Alison Stott & Halle, Classic Catbells & Lakeshore
Saturday 18th Cathy Colam, Rannerdale Knotts and a carpet of Bluebells
Saturday 18th Pete Armstrong Pavey Ark and The Langdale Pikes
Sunday 19th Lyn Armstrong Maiden Moor and High Spy by Launch and Open-Top Bus

 Days of Adventure

15 - 19th May If you want any more details email or phone.

Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag  - Pete Armstrong   

 

One of the finest high-level ridge walks that Lakeland has to offer, three airy summits and exhilarating expansive views all day.
Event details
From the lakeshore of Buttermere we ascend steeply to Bleaberry Tarn, then climb the even more steeply inclined path to the lofty summit of Red Pike 755m. The undulating rocky ridge leading over High Stile 806m, the highest point on the ridge, to High Crag beyond, provides a dramatic high-level outing with airy situations and exhilirating views, one of the finest ridge walks in the Lakes in fact. Beyond High Crag we drop sharply down to join the Pass of Scarth Gap which leads easily to the lakeshore and back to our starting point.
Additional Information
We meet in the centre of the tiny village of Buttermere at 10am. Cars can be parked in the Pay and Display car park in the village, or without charge on the roadside heading towards Newlands Hause, outside the village. Contact Pete if you want a lift or would like to arrange a car share.

Tel: 017687 71302

Grade A

Wednesday 15th May

10:00am

Adult - £20

Venue: Buttermere Village Centre

Fish Hotel
Buttermere
Cumbria
CA13 9XA

Grid Reference: 175170
Post code for Sat Nav: CA13 9XA

Lat/Long: 54.54087, -3.27733

So that's it for now, watch this space for more info as I don't think these details are up on the KMF site yet..............

The bookings button works fine now

Update Sunday 11th, they all passed the first aid course ok.

Ok I have finally found time to sort out the code for the bookings button on the KR site and it all seems to work fine.

So now that the bookings button is working I can look after things whilst all the other leaders are on a two day first aid course tomorrow and Friday.  Yes, Pete, Alison and Cathy are all going to be grovelling around on their hands and knees for a couple of days in the mud ha ha. 

Meanwhile, bookings for the Keswick Mountain Festival are coming in and usually they continue at a faster rate as the event draws closer, so don't leave it too late before you book.

Keswick Mountain Festival 2012

2012 dates are 16th - 20th May

The Keswick Mountain Festival website has started highlighting all the walks we are doing next year but for some reason they have not included any dates......Now that is a problem for some of you who have started to ring us up and email us asking when our hikes are on.  So ever obliging yours truly will now put the record straight as the KMF site does not......

Wednesday 16th May

Alison and Halle    Skiddaw 6 Wainwrights
Pete and Lyn          Cam Crag Ridge and Glaramara
Cath Colam            Buttermere Bluebells

Thursday 17th May

AH                          2 lakes, 3 tarns, and 2 cafes
PL                           Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell
CC                          Great End, wilderness way

Friday 18th May

AH                         Blencathra, scenic way
PL                          Catstycam, Swirral Edge  to Helvellyn
CC                          Footloose on the fells (part of a 3 day event)

Saturday 19th May

AH                        Catbells and lakeshore
PL                         Borrowdale to Grasmere over the tops
CC                         Footloose

Sunday 20th May

AH                         Honister to Keswick over the tops
PL                           Buttermere to Keswick over 7 Wainwrights
CC                          Footloose


What more can you all want?  Any queries just give us a bell or email, you can book early too, by just giving us a ring and we will sort it out, we always do.

For complete descriptions of all these hikes just go to the KMF site here http://www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/programme/hike/

Keswick Mountain Festival 18-22 May 2011

The KMF this year was memorable for high winds, and though there was some rain and mist, particularly on the Friday walk over Sheffield Pike and Helvellyn, it was chiefly the strength of the wind, sometimes gusting to over 50mph that characterised the festival. Thursday however was an exception; it was a perfect day, with no wind and a good deal of sunshine. Here's Pete's group taking a break in Langstrath at the foot of Stake Pass on their way to the Langdale Pikes. There were fourteen walkers as well as Pete and Tim, his assistant, and now a qualified Mountain Leader in his own right.

This view was taken just after lunch from Pike o'Stickle 2323ft looking towards our next objectives, Loft Crag 2271ft, and Harrison Stickle 2403ft, in the background.

Here's Bella, the tame Border Terrier, on Harrison Stickle; she's thinking what a long way it looks to Thunacar Knot 2351ft in the distance. The next summit, High Raise 2500ft, was the highest point of the walk and even further away, though the going after the Pikes was easy and made for quick progress. We dropped off High Raise past Long Crag and skirted Sergeant's Crag to drop down to Greenup Gill below Eagle Crag, where we met the footpath to return to Stonethwaite; a long day, but enjoyed by all. Thanks to Trevor Coucil for the photos.

Keswick Mountain Festival & programme time changes

I just thought I would let you know that Cathy's walk up Great Gable for the KMF on Thursday the 19th May has no places left, in other words it is a sell out.

But there are still places on all the other walks as far as I know so if you are thinking of booking any please remember to do so soon because some of the walks are filling up, for instance the Langdale Pikes is proving popular but is not full yet.

Also the following walks have had to have time start changes due to the bus timetable being altered

6th May 9am
7th Aug 9.30am
4th Sept 9.30am
11th Sept 9.30am
27th Sept 9am

Keswick Rambles showing how to enjoy a day out on the hills

When you've been walking for a while its good to take a wee rest.

Well not exactly today's outing which was a quick hours walk with Bella as it was starting to sleet. But this was a fabulous day we enjoyed when we walked from Grasmere to Keswick and this is me and Bella encouraging everyone to take a wee break on the top of the coll on Greenup Edge. This was during the Keswick Mountain Festival last year on the 23rd May when the weather was glorious. If you fancy good company and plenty of magnificent views then there are some good walks planned this year during the festival including St. Sunday Crag and Fairfield. This is on the first day and promises to be a good hike with an exhilerating high level traverse across St. Sunday Crag and then a little scramble before going up Fairfield. Lets just cross our fingers for good weather.

6 Wainwrights in a day

Skiddaw taken from Latrigg with thick winter snow

For those of you who are Wainwright baggers, then the full traverse of the Skiddaw tops is a must. You can walk over all 6 Wainwright's in a day and back to Keswick. These include Ullock Pike, Longside, Carlside, Skiddaw, Little Man and Latrigg. During the Keswick Mountain Festival, Alison and Halle will be leading this walk on the starting day which is Wednesday 18th May. This walk is a Grade A meaning it is strenuous and is about 13 miles in length. For those of you who don't know Skiddaw the views from the summit are stupendous and you can clearly see Derwentwater and Keswick along with Bassenthwaite Lake. The descent is particularly delightful as you see familiar sights coming closer and closer until you are back down in town again.

Thoughts of Spring - KMF Langdale Pikes

Yes, the weather is improving and my garden is showing snowdrops and hellebores and the greenhouse auto vents have even opened on the odd day!  Today is a lovely cold but watery sunny day here in Keswick and the higher fells have a wintry snowy dusting on the top. Mind you Skiddaw has its usual layer of cloud on the summit so you can't see the very top from my house today. I have even seen sparrows in the garden starting to gather feathers for lining their nests would you believe.... So now is the time to start thinking about holidays up here and a good time to come is when the Keswick Mountain Festival is on because we have some interesting walks on that week including one of my favourites, the Langdale Pikes. This is a walk for the connoisseur.



A well earned Mars Bar on the rocky summit of Pike of Stickle


Forget about just ticking off the Wainwrights because this walk is not about that, its one to savour. It has vast landscapes and panoramic views yes, but it also has a scramble which is exhilerating and not for the feint hearted. This walk requires a bit of guts and a camera. Its a walk to enjoy with good companions too because when you do stand on the top of Pike of Stickle you'll want to share the experience of the splendid view across to Langdale where you will see Coniston Old Man on a good day. Once safely down from the top you will walk across to Loft Crag and Harrison Stickle before heading back to Borrowdale over the tops of Thunacar Knott and High Raise a lovely plateau to traverse.

Remote Scotland

Once again our Munro Bashing intrepid trio from Keswick Rambles (Pete, Lyn n Bella) ventured forth to conquer another one. But where? Ah you might well wonder, not many are left........Well I am not one for verbosity ah  hmm, so without further ado......and just to keep you in suspense......here is a clue.

I am sure you will recognise many features which will be familiar...

Grass perhaps?  A stream, or could it be a Scottish bog? The odd rock to fall over..Ah but what is that on the skyline? Scotch Mist. No it is not the name of a whisky, at least I do not think so. But look further, there is blue sky....Yes could it be a temperature inversion? All might be revealed soon.

Meanwhile, we have posted up a programme of walks on the Keswick Mountain Festival site and you might like to go there and see what we are offering in May 2011. Not all of our leaders have finalised the walks yet so keep returning, you might find more walks to your liking soon. Bookings are starting to come in so don't be the last to make your mind up. I have a feeling that 2011 KMF is going to be a scorcher! Here's the link.

http://www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk/programme/hike/

Keswick Mountain Festival 2011 - 18th to 22nd May

Yes they are already getting ready for this festival and we are thinking about the walks we will offer next year. So I thought it might be a good idea to ask you if you have any requests for particular walks during the festival. I can't promise we will incorporate them, but if you don't tell us what you want we all lose out. So if you would like to comment on the bottom of this posting you never know you may get your heart's desire!

Remember we always try to use public transport or local taxi firms (8 to a minibus) so that the costs are kept well down. But we can be flexible too and sometimes arrange car transport providing we don't clog up the car parking spaces near well known hills. It is usually our policy to try and give walks which appeal to people trying to tick off a few Wainwrights too. So there you are, but you will need to be fairly quick because we don't intend to hang about waiting for too long before we decide.

A brief glimpse at Keswick Mountain Festival 2010

It was certainly a festival to remember. The mist was well down for the first day and the walk was undertaken with great care by our leaders. The first photo shows us on Haystacks when the misty conditions all the way to the top suddenly dispersed to give good views and visibility so the cameras could come out at last.

Day 2 and the mist was worse so I gave out instructions that no one was to drop out for 'comfort stops' without telling us and with good reason especially on the Helvellyn massif. You can judge for yourself if you would have felt comfortable in the mist on your own by looking at the photo.

Day 4 was brilliant sunshine all the way from Grasmere to Keswick, infact we had to take along the suncream and plenty of liquids because it was so hot on Heron Crag. Once we dropped over Greenup Edge to join the path down past Lining Crag the breeze kicked in and it was a huge relief.

The last day was Haystacks again and it was a complete contrast to the Wednesday when we did not see a thing on the way up because this time the views were outstanding. The photo shows us approaching Haystacks after passing the Brandreth fence corner: in the distance is Scafell with it's distinctive nodged ridge whilst in the left middle distance is Great Gable.

Keswick Mountain Festival Latest News!

Haystacks, Helvellyn, Gable Girdle, & Helm Crag to Stonethwaite WalksGood news for anyone who has booked the above walks with us during the Keswick Mountain Festival. We have been trying hard to find some sponsorship for the walks this year ourselves and we have been offered the following from Blacks.


A Blacks representative will be coming on Pete and Lyn's Keswick Mountain Festival walks and will be giving a 25% discount card to those participating to use against any purchases over £50. He will also be available to discuss or to answer any questions in relation to outdoor gear.

Keswick Mountain Festival our walks are filling up!

Yes, we have taken more orders over the last few days and now the Helm Crag to Stonethwaite walk is fully booked. So a big thank you to all of you for supporting us and we hope to see all 20 of you on the day.

More of you have been turning up at the Moot Hall after reading about us for the first time on the new website and you have been most complimentary about it to me. Also I know that you all say you will be back, so we look forward to that too. We had a couple of lovely ladies all the way from Florida and a Norwegian lass + Mary from Kent and Neil up Catbells last Tuesday so if you have any photos you want to send in please don't hesitate as I have not been carrying a camera on the last few walks I have taken out. I know that yesterday's walk up Skiddaw with Alison and Halle was thoroughly enjoyed by all and I was told the visibility and views were superb.

Keswick Mountain Festival again

The Helm Crag to Stonethwaite walk has now only 1 place left. There are still places available on the following walks:-

Haystacks Wed 19th May, High Seat & Bleaberry Fell Wed 19th May, Helvellyn Thurs 20th May, Newlands Round Thurs 20th May, Gable Girdle Fri 21st May, Glaramara Fri 21st May, and Haystacks Sun 23rd May.

George Fishers shop is going to be offering trials of Salomon boots again this year during the festival and last year quite a number of my walkers on the Haystacks walk took a pair out on trial. As far as I am aware, there will be the Leki rep with us on some of the walks too and he lets your try out the poles for free.

Helm Crag to Stonethwaite - Keswick Mountain Festival Sat 22 May

Just a quick posting to tell you that there are only 3 places left on this very popular walk. So if you are thinking about booking it I would advise you to do so soon, as once it reaches 20 people we will not be taking anymore. The minibuses have been booked by Pete so we are ready to roll. He will advise on the day how much extra you will need but it will be approx £4 each for transport to Grasmere.