Christmas day was a tad windy......

Windy Walla

Here's yours truly trying to stay upright and not lose me cap...... This was just on the path on Walla Crag near the summit cairn, I was trying to stay on my feet and reach the cairn too.  We only met one other person whilst up there.  Usually we go much further on Christmas Day but not this year the wind was gusting across the lake and it was a struggle, reminded me of the mountain festival up on the Hindscarth ridge where Jane and I could not stay on our feet back in May....

So its been a windy December so far and I wonder what is in store for the next few weeks. Meanwhile, we want to wish you all A Happy New Year from the KR team and hope you all have a prosperous and peaceful year and your very good health; cheers!

Christmas Walks 2011 - Bookings now being taken £20 per person

6th December 2011 Carrock Fell back of Blencathra, snow drifts were 3 feet deep on the top

These Christmas walks need to be booked so you must contact the leader by phone or email to confirm if you are going and leave a mobile phone number.

Wednesday 28th December
Catbells at Christmas

Time for a walk today? Come and join experienced and knowledgeable local leaders Alison and Halle, walk off some of those Christmas calories whilst discovering the history of the landscape.

Meet at 1000hrs at the Moot Hall, Keswick (Tourist Information Centre). If the launch is running ( weather dependant) we'll go across the lake to start this classic walk up Catbells.

Enjoy the beautiful views over Derwentwater and the Newlands Valley. Returning along the lakeshore, this walk encapsulates the best the Lake District has to offer.

Distance 8km/ 5 miles

Ascent 460m / 1510 ft

Thursday 29th December

Blencathra with Pete and Lyn Armstrong and Bella the Border Terrier.

Phone for details as the route and length of the walk depend on the conditions on the day.

Friday 30th December

Barrow above Braithwaite
Meet at 10am in the car park of the Swinside Inn for a walk up Barrow to burn off all that Christmas indulgence! Join Cathy and Skye for a winter walk up one of the best of Lakeland's lower fells. The exact route will depend on the weather. A glorious sunny day may tempt us up Barrow's ridge and over to Outerside as well but a wet and windy morning might lead to a dash for the summit and back to sit by the fire in the Swinside's cosy bar. Families are welcome (children half price) Ring or email Cathy to book. Let her know if you need a lift from Keswick or would like to share a taxi

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/