30th May 2007

To the south, a group of fells had been ruining my clearing up rate: the Coniston fells. For months I have been meaning to do somthing about them and today I did.

It's a fairly long drive over Birker Fell to Seathwaite and I had left at 7 in order to get a full day's walking in. Therefore, I was ready to walk at half 8.

I began the trek over farmland and up Walna Scar Road with the sun shining brightly on my back. It was a hot, sweaty and long climb and layers were removed at a startling rate. However, I soon reached Brown Pike where I had a short rest whilst I compeed-ed blisters already forming. It was then a stretch over to Dow Crag (2555 ft) whose summit terrified the life out of me - I was convinced that I was going to plummet to my death.

There was then a short descent and a seemingly long ascent onto The Old Man of Coniston (2633 ft) where I only met two other people! The summit was very interesting with an odd shaped cairn and a trig point. After having a chat with the two old men, I retraced my steps and soon found myself on Brim Fell (2611 ft). This had another interesting summit and I took time out to admire the amazing views, which included an incredible panorama of the Wasdale fells.

The path then went on to Swirl How (2630 ft) where I met another Wainwright bagger. He gave me some good advice on leaving out Wetherlam and doing it another day; he pointed out the enormous black clouds following me from The Old Man and the fact that it would take me an hour and a half extra to do it. However, I still hestitated before the old men from The Old Man repeated the given advice.

Therefore, I went straight onto Great Carrs (2575 ft) which was another terrifying summit. I had to sit and pretend to admire the views whilst collecting myself. This wasn't helped by a man standing right on the edge, talking loudly and ruining my inner peace. I, therefore, crept away from the edge and had a bone-stilling lunch by the memorial to the fallen pilots of 1944.

There was then the climb onto Grey Friar (2536 ft) where I found myself to be entirely alone. It was a long top and I was pleased to find the cairn guiding me down the front of Grey Friars over Troutal fell. The path was a bit sketchy but it guided me nicely down to Seathwaite Tarn where I really enjoyed the walk along the reservoir. The only down side was that it had begun to rain - heavily. This made the decision not to do Wetherlam a bit more bearable - I would never have found the path down in the msit.

It was a long but enjoyable 4 miles down to Seathwaite. The rain grew increasingly heavy and my legs were aching but I enjoyed the walk along Tarn Beck nevertheless.

I got back to the car and hung my various articles of soaking wet clothing around the car before heading off to Nether Wasdale for afternoon tea with my Uncle of the Scafell trip (Yorkshire 3 Peaks' blog).

New fells: Dow Crag, The Old Man of Coniston, Brim Fell, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar.

29th May 2007

A decision had been made to do some joint tidying up of fells with the aged parent. Therefore, we were up early and heading down to Ambleside first thing this morning.

Even though we had planned to do three small fells today, we had also planned to do them in style. We did not like the idea of simply 'bagging' them for the sake of it - we wanted to make them count. Therefore, we parked near High Oxen Fell and started on our way to Lingmoor Fell (1530 ft). It was a beautiful walk along tracks to the foot of the fell; we were even lucky enough to spot a red squirrel. We made a quick (but sweaty) ascent and were really pleased to see the Langdale fells in all their glory shining in the sunshine.

We then headed back down the same way and tramped along to Holme Fell (1040 ft). The walk was fantastic and we were particularly taken by Slater Bridge where there was a perfect little picnic area. We circled the quarry and were a little worried about any slight noise sending an avalanche of slate down on top of us. This grew as we realised that we were on an incredibly popular path which meant small children shouting - we didn't dawdle!

By the time we had made the reached the top of Holme Fell, we were beginning to feel quite tired. The double ascent and descent were beginning to play havoc on the joints. However, we perservered and made our way via Yew Tree Tarn onto Black Fell (1056 ft)The journey up was only managed due to some cunning cowboy-Roy manoeuvres. The top was freezing cold but we liked the fact that there was an Ordnance Survey on top to tell us that we were in the right place. Another tricky descent brought us back to the car, tired but pleased with our progress.

The fact that these were meant to be 'easy' fells but that we were exhausted afterwards made us feel as though we had done them justice.

New Fells: Lingmoor Fell, Holme Fell, Black Fell.

28th May 2007

With both aged parents set to join me today, we had to decide on a walk which we would all be happy doing. A late start meant that we weren't convinced that we would be able to park near some of the Langdale-area fells. Therefore, we decided to go up Seat Sandal from Dunmail Raise. We had meant to do this one before when we had done the Clough Head - Dollywagon Pike walk, but by the time we had got to Grisedale Tarn, we were knackered. It had remained an awkward one since.

We parked easily at Dunmail Raise and began the ascent up Raise Beck which was thoroughly enjoyable. There were some lovely waterfalls and the rain was holding off. At Grisedale Tarn there was then the steep climb up onto the summit (2415 ft). It was a slog but the views made it well worthwhile. I could see exactly where I had walked the day before. Fairfield was also temptingly close, but a suggested ascent did not go down well.

The descent was made easier by the old sliding down on the waterproofs method (now a favourite). We stopped at the tarn to have a quick snack and to watch everyone else heading up either Fairfield or Dollywagon Pike. It was then a lovely stroll back to the car and a stop in Cockermouth for a cream tea.

New fell: Seat Sandal.

27th May 2007

Being half term, I had driven up on the Saturday in order to add to the Wainwright checklist. Unfortunately, however, the half term also happens to coincide with the Bank Holiday; this meant that I had followed most of Britain up the M6 and into the Lake District.

With an understanding that it was going to be difficult to park anywhere, I was up early and in Grasmere by 9.00. My plan was to collect Silver How, Tarn Crag and Stone Arthur. I began with Silver How and had a beautiful climb up onto the top (1292 ft). As it was so early there were few people around and I was lucky enough to see a deer! I headed back down via Allan Bank with a mind to head up onto Tarn Crag. Half way down, though, it began to rain. A lot. Therefore, I decided to head onto Stone Arthur rather than completing the 7 mile round journey onto Tarn Crag.

So, I headed over the A591 and up a steep slope onto Stone Arthur. I was all on my own and felt quite lonely as I watched people milling up Heron Pike opposite me. I carried on and took no time at all in reaching the summit (1652 ft). Whilst eating my sandwiches, I began eyeing up the fells around me and noticed that Great Rigg was only 1.5 miles away. Having missed out Tarn Crag, I decided to do the right thing and climb Great Rigg (2513 ft). So I did. It wasn't a new one but I felt better for doing it. Until it hegan to hail.

I decided to head back down to Stone Arthur, until I realised that Heron Pike was only 1.5 miles away and I could use it as an alternative descent. So I did. It was cold and windy but definitely worth doing. I saw a fell runner in tiny shorts (mad) and a lot of ill-prepared looking people on my way to the top (2003 ft). I saw even more on the way down via Alcock Tarn. There was even one girl with trainers on and a pashmina instead of a coat.

A quick stop for some hot squash on a well-placed bench kept me going until I got back to Grasmere, where it rained, heavily.

A very enjoyable day with some beautiful views.

New fells: Silver How and Stone Arthur.