29th April Seniors Hike

It might be raining this week but this was the scene a week last Tuesday on what was so far the best day of the Spring.  It was just so warm and beautiful and the Langdale Pikes looked superb.   We had the very pleasant duty of escorting a group of senior hikers from Somerset for three days and this was day two when we took them to Loughrigg Tarn.  I am amazed that I was able to take this photograph with out any of them in it because a total of 28 came with us.....I had to shepherd them all behind me for this shot.

If you have a large group of hikers who need a bespoke few days in the Lakes then contact us for our rates which are very competitive. You won't be disappointed, the group from Somerset were very pleased and we chose careful routes for them because, well they were seniors.

Wetherlam

Above Little Langdale Tarn.

Our expedition to climb Wetherlam earlier this week was also intended as a reconnaissance of the area to help us decide on routes for our two-day expedition which we plan this summer. The dates on which this will take place are Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July. We've not yet found suitable accommodation for the two nights but we're researching this right now.
Lyn, Pete and Bella set off up the Greenburn Valley in bright sunshine but soon found themselves in deep shade in the gloomy valley, the sun being low in the south, behind the mountain.

Deep shade in the valley, Langdale Pikes in the distance.

Our objective, Wetherlam 762m/2,500ft, forms the southern wall of the Greenburn valley. We walked up as far as the ancient Greenburn mine workings, the ruins of which stand just below the 1,000ft contour some way up the valley then turned onto a path that led up the steep fellside.

Above the Greenburn mine workings.

A sporadic path led upwards through rough boulder strewn terrain passing by several old mine workings until we reached the col at about 500m between Birk Fell and Wetherlam where, though the path improved, the going became increasingly rocky.

Ascending Wetherlam Edge

Wetherlam Edge, which leads to the summit, was still in deep shade, far below Birk Fell was enjoying the November sun.  We seemed to have picked the coldest and gloomiest route of ascent possible, there was no wind however the temperature continued to spiral downwards as we gained height and the path became  increasingly icy. We turned back about 120ft short of the top as the path was dangerously iced up. From now on this winter the crampons will go in the rucksacks as a matter of course, without them retreat was the safest course.  We plan a return to Wetherlam with full winter gear...soon.

View from Birk Fell on the descent.

We walked over Birk Fell intending to descend the ridge beyond in the sunshine rather than turning down into the sunless valley.  We followed the wall which you can see going straight ahead in the distance.

View from the wall towards Wrynose Pass.

We followed the wall over the next top (405m) expecting to pass through old quarry workings marked as disused on the map, but we came to the edge of the workings and found them impassable. We retreated back along the wall to a gate then walked down into the workings by an easier path. The quarry turned out to be a working one and we found that we had little option but to follow the mine road that led down to High Tilberthwaite. It was a bit out of our way and not quite what we'd planned but we followed a good track that led directly back to Little Langdale and were back at the car in an hour. It was a very useful recce, we learned a lot, and a great walking area too we decided for the two-dayer in July...we'll be back.

If you're interested in joining us for the two days in July ring or e-mail us. You can stay in a hotel, hostel or camp, it's up to you, I'm sure it'll be fun.

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 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

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.

A Classic with weather to match

With the Langdale Pikes "in the bag" we stopped for afternoon tea in the sunshine on the top of High Raise before the descent to Greenup Gill, Stonethwaite, and the last bus back down Borrowdale to Keswick.
Though we can't do much about the weather in the Lakes, Keswick Rambles can guarantee a good walk and they don't come much better than the July Langdale Pikes ramble. The weather conditions, the enjoyable company and the exhilerating high level route all made it a day to remember. Definitely a "must" for the KR programme next year, look out for it.

Hamish and Angus set the pace

Pike o'Stickle forms the background as Hamish and Angus, two memorably well behaved Tibetan Terriers, set the homeward pace from Harrison Stickle towards Thunacar Knott and High Raise, Bella looks keen too.

Langdale Pikes Walk

The Langdale Pikes walk is one of the longest that we undertake, all of fifteen miles, with a good many ups and downs along the way. The conditions for the first outing on the 1 July were ideal, warm and sunny all day, and we thought at the time that the summer was here to stay, how wrong we were. We started from Stonethwaite and walked up Langstrath, where this picture was taken, towards Stake Pass, the key to the Langdale Pikes from Borrowdale.