Blogs from Lake District, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom, Europe - page 3

Weather forecast was a little mixed today, so decided to go for the lower peaks and settled for a 1000' climb immediately after breakfast! Parked at the Honister slate mine, donned a wind-proof jacket and began the long climb up Dale Head. The only problem with Dale Head is that you don't get to see the summit until you are at the summit, so it invariably comes as a surprise that you've arrived. Today, the wind was blowing cold and, coupled with a temperature of 6°C, at the first sight of rain, I donned the waterproof trousers. 40 minutes after leaving the car, I arrived at the summit, in mist. The view was amazing - a little grey but uniformly grey all around! With not much to see, I clambered down from the summit and across ... read more

After yesterday's sunshine, the morning started with showers. Shouldn't complain as this is a typical summer's day and the Lakes have to be comprised of something! Set off to climb Robinson, ascending some 1900' in just over an hour. Whilst the ascent was difficult, I did meet a family coming down. Personally, I would have not attempted the descent and they admitted they were slipping all over the place - and I knew that they weren't even at the steepest part! The view from the top of Robinson was amazing - so clear - so cold (about 7°C) - and so nice to see the familiar peaks from another angle. The descent across Snockrigg was, as expected, given the rain, wet under-ankle and the bottom of my trousers became covered in snock. Back in the house, ... read more

In just 24 hours, the flooding, the overflowing lake, the gills running deep have all returned to normal. The flooded paths have dried though the ground remains waterlogged. There's even a danger that tomorrow will be sunny! So ... what happened today? Departed Hassness for a clockwise circuit of the Buttermere, pausing at Gatesgarth Farm having negotiated the now drying lake shore. Some mud was in evidence but the flooding of recent days had receded. The walk to Sour Milk Gill had significantly dried since yesterday with little water underfoot and the footpath at the gill no longer under water. Orchids were in abundance along the lake side with just a few midges being a nuisance. Walked into Buttermere village and stopped for a coffee at the Tearooms, before starting the walk to the fell. The ... read more

Having left the brief glimpse of sunshine behind, I headed back into the cloud and back into the Lake District for 19 days of walking. This morning, the sun tried to break through the rain, but sadly, the cloud won and it was not sensible to venture too high.... read more

In what turned out to be the best day of the week, I decided to head up the Scarth Gap and on to High Crag, across Comb Crags to High Stile, and ultimately along Chapel Crags to Red Pike and down to Bleaberry Tarn. It was a good choice. The sun shone and it was warm. Just twenty four hours later and a month's worth of rain would fall and there would be severe flooding.... read more