Month: October 2021
Helvellyn & Chasing Wainwrights
I chose to stay at a hostel I’d stayed at previously. It’s cosy, with a small bar, but it ticks off all the boxes after a day on the fells. They serve food and have all of the facilities which you’d likely need after a days walking. The only downside is the size of the drying room – but that said the heating system runs through the rooms, with big old radiators, and big pipes – so you won’t have too many issues drying kit :-).
I’d booked a couple of nights to allow me a good nights rest the night before and somewhere to stay the night I finished without having to wait to check in, and also knowing when I was done, I could get back, have a shower, rest and get a good meal without going back out again.
The weather was forecast to be good, but I had expected it to be colder than it actually was. I started out with a t-shirt, and a fleece, and that was essentially how I stayed for the duration for the duration of the walk.
I left the hostel just after 9am, with the sun shining over Place Fell, blue skies as far as the eye could see, and the not too distant rumble of jets entering the Ullswater area.
My route was in the initial sense, part I’d walked previously, up through the mines and on the left side of Swart Beck, which rumbled down the valley and into the river below. I’d come this way a couple of years ago on the way up to Sheffield Pike, somewhere I wasn’t going to revisit due to time constraints.
As far as weather goes, given it was an October day, I couldn’t have wished for better. I had opted to aim for Hart Side (756m), as my first top of the day. We’ll not mention the height the hostel is located at – only it makes the climb a little easier. I didn’t hang around, and turned around and made my way back towards White Stones/Green Side – again more impressive were the views over Sheffield Pike and the fells beyond.
I pushed on as time was ticking and I had much to take in, the next hill was Stybarrow Dodd (843m). I had initially hoped to tick off Great Dodd and Watsons Dodd, but made the decision to miss them both out and focus on Nethermost and Dollywaggon instead. Stybarrow felt a bit of a slog to get up, but then this was the second real push to get up and over after the climb up from the hostel.
Once on top, I was treated to some incredible views towards Skiddaw, Blencathra and the fells in the west. The distant rumble of jets taking in views of Derwentwater at close proximity. The next hill in line was Raise (883m) which itself involved a bit of a climb following the descent from Stybarrow and the crossing of Sticks Pass. The views definitely didn’t get any worse either as I continued, now with visuals of Thirlmere in the valley below.
I took five on the top of Raise admiring the views and taking on some energy. I probably could have been better hydrated coming into the weeks trip, but it is, what it is. I was a little surprised at just how busy it was on the top. It was a Wednesday, I noticed more and more people the closer I got to Helvellyn.
After a short break I ticked of White Side (863m), and continued my ascent of Lower Man (925m). These two fells offered the best views of Catstye Cam and Swirral Edge. I was surprised at how steep and relatively narrow Lower Man was. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t anything like the edges but it’s a rough path which goes up at quite an angle. Once on top the plateau opens up to your left and you are 25m from the main event.
Helvellyn (950m) Didn’t disappoint. the views from the summit were impressive, far reaching, and rewarding for the slog which I’d gone through during the morning. That said, I knew I had to come back through this way, and had already made the decision that I wanted to bag Nethermost and Dollywaggon Pike(s), with High Crag sandwiched in between.
Nethermost (891m) was first on the list, a short descent and ridiculous views across to the latter stages of Striding edge. I moved on the short distance to High Crag as it was on the direct route to Dollywaggon, though it’s not a Wainwright. Dollywaggon (858m) was a bit of an effort if I’m honest, and I think it’s because I knew I had to turn around and walk back the way I’d come already. Still it’s done, and I don’t “have” to go back up that way unless I really want to.
The walk back up to the summit was pleasant enough – but the wind had definitely picked up. A slight chill came through and the clouds were starting to move through from the West. I knew what would eventually come, so wanted to get down off the tops.
Having ticked off Helvellyn & Nethermost, I’d ticked off two more of the Lakeland top 10 highest Fells. I wanted to tick off Catstye Cam, and that would mean I’d then have done Eight of the top Ten. It also meant taking on Swirral Edge. I returned to the summit, and grabbed a few pictures before making my way to the top of Swirral Edge.
To be clear, I don’t like heights (yes I know, why walk up really high hills/mountains then), but I also want to challenge myself. The top of Swirral Edge wasn’t really too bad, but it’s the not knowing, which side to try and come down which gets you. When I set off down, I checked the time to see how long it took me to descend. 25 minutes, I’m quite sure is a long time, but at the same time I don’t really care. I got down safely which ultimately counts more.
I set off down, and there was nobody in front of me, by the time I finished I’d lost count of the number of people who had passed me. Quite funny seeing these people fly down as if it were no big deal.
Still after a few photo stops along the way I made it safely down, as the clouds gathered over the summit of Helvellyn. I knew I was running low on fluids, so got my head down and made my way across to Catstye Cam (890m). I did take pictures, but I also could tell my enthusiasm was waning. I still needed to get down, and across to Birkhouse Moor. Thankfully I had one last trick up my sleeve.
As I made my way down from Catstye Cam and across to Red Tarn, I pulled out the big guns, the haribo, to power through one last push across to Birkhouse Moor (718m). Now in hindsight I believe there was a steepish path coming off the front of the hill. I however had opted to double back to Red Tarn. No real complaints as the cascades coming down the valley were pretty impressive, but I did possibly come down a slightly longer way as a result.
By the end of the day my legs were done, I needed refreshments, food and a good shower. But what a way to finish the trip to the lakes. I can’t wait for the spring and to get back up there.
Overall I pretty much maxed out what I could do with the amount of daylight hours. Had I added in the other two Dodds, then I would have had to sacrifice something else within the walk, most likely Swirral Edge/Catstye Cam. Which would have potentially presented other issues, notably daylight. So I think I made the right calls.
It was great to tick off Three more of the top Ten highest lakeland fells on one walk, and in particular great to tick off Helvellyn and one of the edges. Likewise to do Helvellyn and Skiddaw on this trip was brilliant, and it was great to see where I was in terms of fitness. I think had the weather been better I could potentially have don 30-40 miles on the trip easily. Twenty Five was a good return though so I can’t complain.
Until next time though……Enjoy the pictures.
October 2021, A return to the Lake District
So if you read my most recent post, you will have seen I’d stayed away from the Lakes, even when we could go. I suspected that it would be carnage up there, though there are always hills to climb in quieter areas.
I opted to wait until Autumn for various reasons, and roll the dice with the weather. My plans chopped and changed multiple times, right up until the week before with the weather changing so much. I left home early on the Monday morning hoping that I’d catch a bit of a break with the weather. It didn’t really happen, and as I was staying in Keswick I had intended on walking up Skiddaw to tick another of the Lakes top Ten highest fells off the list.
After much input from various people I decided to leave the Ullock Pike/Carl Side ascent for a better weather day. I’m not the most confident navigator so I opted for the safety of the pony track route up. A simple, yet steep route up.
I decided to leave my car in Keswick, near the hostel, and take a route over Lattrigg first. Having left the car with a waterproof coat on, I opted to add waterproof trousers when I topped Lattrigg. I took the route via the woodland trail which zig zags through. Lucky for me I saw a young roe deer through the trees. I will add in here there is an area of heavy deforestation, and area which I’m told will be replaced. This in turn means many of the paths have gone, so you end up picking your way through what was woodland.
Once you manage to get to the top, I struggled to find a stile or gate, therefore ended up hopping a fence. I’m sure they are there but I couldn’t see it. Your alternative would be to follow the Cumbria Way, though that would mean lengthening the walk up Lattrigg. I’d imagine the views on a good day – or even a dry day – are amazing. For me, it was decent, and the way the light shifted across the lakes and the valleys was impressive enough.
Once on Lattrigg, I added another layer and headed down, to the start of the track for Skiddaw. You are straight into it, a steep zig zagging loose stone path.
You should have Lonscale fell on your right and the distant views over Derwentwater and Keswick. Again with the weather blowing through I did get the occasional stunning landscape but overall it was a wet one, definitely a head down and get up and bag the tops.
Luckily I seemed to be sheltered from the wind on the way up, as if not the wind and rain would have made the day a total chore. I had hoped that there would be more breaks in the weather but it wasn’t to be.
The first top was Skiddaw Little Man, with the views nondescript at best I opted to keep going. Nothing to see at all so I pushed on knowing there was only a slight descent before another push to the main event. Skiddaw summit is home to a trig, and also a post with a guide to the surrounding fells. Good because I think the wind cleared the views for about 15 seconds to see the far side of Bassenthwaite and the lower fells.
Even with the layers I had on, I started to get cold very quickly. I grabbed my sandwiches from my bag, put on my gloves, and began the descent back the way I had come up. Again I consider the descent down Carl Side but with the visibility so poor, I didn’t want to chance it – so opted to use the same route back down.
I soon got out of the wind, and the breaks in the cloud became more frequent. Indeed when I reached the town again, wouldn’t you know it the clouds cleared totally for a time to reveal the stunning views of the Skiddaw range. Sods law really.
I’ll definitely do Skiddaw again, as I need to do some of the other fells for the Wainwright bagging. Ullock Pike, Carl Side, Long Side, and Lonscale fell are all on that list. Something for the spring I think. Hopefully I can find a way out via bus or something, and then come back via Lonscale and the Cumbria Way.
Overall, it’s not as bad a walk as some would have you believe. Super easy in terms of finding your way. I generally always have a map and compass in my bag. But always use GPS alongside it. It wasn’t a great day weather wise, but it was October. You roll the dice.
Would I do it again? Yes. Any lessons learned? Possibly I could/should have included Lonscale Fell but it’s no hardship that I didn’t.
Goals:
Three more Wainwrights ticked off.
One more of the top 10 Lakeland Fells ticked off.
Through the 700 mile (Measured) mark for the year.
Winter is coming
Can you believe it? 2022 is on it’s way, and it will be here before we know it! I’m looking back on the last 12 months and beyond and can’t believe we are where we are.
Let’s look at this from a personal perspective, and the challenges I set myself at the start of this year. I’ve managed to drop a few pounds, and keep most of it off – thankfully. In terms of goals, I’ve managed to rack up over 700 miles (measured). So I’m hoping that I’ll comfortably surpass 800. That in turn gives me a target to beat next year.
Following a few days in the lakes last week, I’ve managed to notch 8/10 highest lakeland fells now. Not all last week I should add, but topping Helvellyn, Skiddaw, Nethermost Pike & Catstye Cam took the total to 8. I can now plan in the spring to round out the remaining two, Pillar & Great End. The other thing I’ve managed to do is take my Wainwright total to 40/214, which whilst being respectable I’d hope to at least double that next year.
I subconsciously started bagging wainwrights in 2012 but never made more than One or Two trips to the lakes. Additionally, uptown last week I’d not been since March 2020! So obviously I now want to change that and start hammering away at the list next year.
What else? If you read any of my previous blog posts, you’ll know that I closed down my Facebook account. I felt that it did more harm than good to my mental health and I’ve stayed off it. Don’t miss it, in fact a combination of that and exposure to the outside has made such a difference to my mental health.
I’ve never really been bothered about Winter before, but I’m dreading it a bit this year, and I don’t really know why. The lack of daylight in the evening, the shorter days etc. I know there are probably loads of people out there who struggle with the same issues.
We’re going away at the end of the month, hopefully grab another couple of Wainwrights, Binsey & Dodd, whilst staying at a cottage in North Cumbria. When we return I’m hoping to have a go at Bouldering, at Freeklime a local indoor centre. Hopefully it’s good, and it’s something to get me through the winter months.
I’ve been terrible at writing this year (sounds familiar) so I’ll keep this short, and hopefully I can write little and often going forwards.
Peace.
Planes, Trains, Ships and Automobiles 