I spent the 2nd, 3rd and 4th January 2003 walking in the English Lake District. Here are some photos.
Thursday 2nd
- Poured with rain, sleet and snow. And cold. And windy. So I was less than inclined to stop and take any pictures...
- I walked from Bothel (starting at 8.30 in the morning when it got light) over a few fells Back o'Skidda' to Skiddaw House (closed and deserted at this time of year, except for the small wet-weather shelter), and after a short break for a bite of food there, continued along the path to Keswick youth hostel.
Friday 3rd
- Headed south-west from Keswick through Portinscale, and headed up Rowling End and on to Causey Pike. The ascent was a little icy, and quite steep. The clouds stayed over the high ground all day, but apart from a cold wind and a little light snow towards the evening, weather was good.
- Headed along the ridge to Scar Crags, Sail, Eel Crag (Crag Hill) and Grasmoor. The last two summits were totally in the mist, but otherwise there were reasonable views.
- Dropped down to Coledale Hause, and after a fairly quick march up Sand Hill I made it to the misty top of Hopegill Head.
- Went along the ridge to Grisedale Pike, then down to Braithwaite.
Saturday 4th
- More snow had fallen over night, and I headed along the old railway (now part of the c2c cycle route) to Threlkeld (did you know that half the world textile industry's bobbin supply came from the lake district in the mid-19th century? - the site of an old factory lies along the railway here).
- Skiddaw and Blencathra both had wisps of cloud on the tops at one stage, but these cleared away quickly.
- I wanted to do Blencathra via a route I hadn't tried before. So I ascended via Gategill Fell (the second spur along from the west on the stunning southern face of Blencathra).
- It's hard work getting up to Knott Halloo (a prominent rocky knoll), especially as the heathery slope was covered with thick snow. From there on up, the ridge of Gatesgill Fell is laid out before you, leading up to the main ridge of Blencathra.
- Reaching the summit ridge provided an outstanding view of the Skiddaw group to the north-west, and the spread of the bleak and lonely fells to the north.
- Headed north, passing Sharp Edge on my right, and followed the path round to Bannerdale Crags.
- I trekked through the foot or so of snow to Bowscale Fell, and then down to Bowscale Tarn.
- Came off the fell at Bowscale, and walked down to the main road via Mungrisedale. I arrived at Carlisle after a quick bus and train journey... when I got out at Carlisle station, I still had a lump of ice stuck to my boot!
