Thursday 27 February 2020

Coniston to Ambleside 11.5miles 2000ft



Leaving Coniston village along the lakeside

Looking up Tilberthwaite from the path to Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows just before the sun appeared 

Tarn Hows with snow covered Wetherlam on the horizon   

....and again

 ....and again

The path often taken by 16th Preston scouts from camp at High
Arnside farm to canoe and swim in Tarn Hows

Continuing on the route to Colwith force

followed shortly after by Skelwith force 

A thundery hail and snow shower passed just a little too close for
comfort

Now crossing Loughrigg fell and passing Lily tarn with Windermere below

Reflections in Lily tarn

A splendid view of the complete Fairfield Horseshoe

Followed by the descent into Ambleside

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Two short, wet and windy walks in one day this week.



 Walk (1) Haweswater
abandoned after 2.5 miles 800ft - wet through and with difficulty standing
in the wind!  




Walk (2) After drying out in the car,
another walk starting at St John's in
the Vale to Tewet tarn
and High Rigg -
3 miles 1000ft - result another 
soaking!






Wednesday 12 February 2020

Wansfell Pike and environs from Ambleside 9.5 miles 2,600ft


With a forecast of gale force winds, blizzard conditions and wind chill of -18c for the high summits, today was definitely a day to stay on the lower slopes.

Climbing out of Ambleside with snow covering the fells of the
Fairfield Horseshoe 

A brief moment of sun on the Langdale Pikes

Dramatic cloud breaks with the sun breaking through...

...and again

Windermere from the summit of Wansfell Pike 482m, 1581ft

A light covering of snow here but a fierce cold wind

Descending from the cold... 

... towards the village of Troutbeck

Some of the sheep brought down off the high fells

The little-visited but beautiful Middlerigg Tarn

Adventure in the treetops at the
Lakeland Visitor Centre on 
Windermere

Looking to Bowfell and the Langdales from the lakeside....  

....and south into the sun

A short climb to Jenkin Crag for a view of the Coniston fells...

...and Crinkle Crags in the Langdale valley....

..then a short descent back into Ambleside.


Thursday 6 February 2020

A circuit of the Greenburn fells 9.75 miles 3550ft



Setting off up Wet Side Edge waiting for the sun to appear....

 ....then suddenly all is light.... 

....but not for long as the cloud came down before arriving at the
summit of Grey Friar 770m, 2526ft

A short climb later the memorial to the crew of a Halifax bomber
appears. The plane just missed clearing the top of Great Carrs (2575ft) claiming the lives of all 8 RAF crew.

and again

There still remains some of the wreckage on the site

The route continued from Great Carrs summit to Swirl How

Where I was still surrounded by cloud!

From Swirl how there is a steep descent down Prison Band....

....with views to Levers water below the Coniston fells

The final climb of the day leads up Wetherlam 2502ft....

....with views back to Swirl How and Great Carrs still catching the
cloud

Lingmoor fell (of recent acquaintance with Danny) comes into view from Wetherlam, also Blea tarn and Little Langdale tarn

Fell Foot farm finally in view where the car awaits, phew!