Page 4 of Ever Onward Travel Blog Posts


Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 28th 2012

Yesterday wasn't good. The forecast turned out to be very accurate and the rains just continued. The day was literally a washout and spent on Keswick high street - ironically taking in the outdoor clothing shops in an effort to buy further wet weather gear! Having bought all that was necessary, it was off to the little coffee shop in Grange for a well-deserved strawberry cream tea! Today was a little better ... and a day spent on the High Street, i.e., the highest Roman Road in England. It was also where six Wainwright's would be climbed. Parking in Martindale, the first little issue was not getting lost on the climb up towards Steel Knotts. The little wooden Footpath sign clearly pointed along the stone wall and many others had clearly passed ahead, but sadly, the ... read more
The Old Church nestling below Steel Knotts
2.31: Beda Fell from Martindale
The RAF practicing over Beda Fell

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 26th 2012

Today was supposed to be the best weather of the holiday weekend. Looking back, I guess the forecast wasn't wrong as the only thing we didn't have was snow. A breakfast grapefruit, oranges, yoghurt, muesli, bacon, beans and toast was taken in beautiful sunlight. Shortly after getting in the car and driving to Loweswater, the clouds rolled in and the sun moved elsewhere. On parking, the rain was like stair rods and, with no wind, was there to stay. The thirty minute wait in the car whilst the rain abated was made more pleasurable by the Cuban music coming from the CD. Finally, with a break in the weather, I rushed out to the boot and put on full waterproofs and my walking boots. In the driving rain, I left Fangs Brow Farm and set off ... read more
7.30: Burnbank Fell - towards Blake Fell
Not the official summit cairn!
Oh good, can't see a thing!

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 25th 2012

The weatherman said today, there’s a slight chance of rain, I had to laugh to myself ... It was raining when I got up, it was raining when I wandered into town for breakfast, it was raining when I was buying my lunch, it was raining all day! The day dawned ... ... rain fell ... ... waterproofs were donned and two more Wainwrights were earmarked for climbing. Due to the inclement weather, two of the lowest were to be attempted - not difficult but, with the cloud base being so low, two offering the best opportunity. And so, in the driving rain, I drove to Thackthwaite and parked up by the side of the road and made my way past a notice imploring the red squirrels to drive carefully, through a farm yard and onto ... read more
Low Fell beckons
7.33: Low Fell (with Crummock below)
7.32: Fellbarrow

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 10th 2012

The penultimate day of this particular trip dawned clear. The penultimate breakfast of this particular trip was enough to ensure enough energy to get me up the initial climb - 1300'! I can't believe that the time has gone so quickly. The weather must be joining in celebration as it dawned clear and hot. I set off from the Honister car park, climbing in the already hot sun towards the summit of Dale Head. This was my fifth attempt this week to have a clear summit of Dale Head and the windless morning was looking promising. Various stops for a sip of water en route were met with hot, humid, lifeless air. Before long (well, roughly 40 minutes), the summit came into view. Shortly after, the view came into view. In the mist, I'd not realised ... read more
Dale Head Tarn
Water getting ready to plummet into the Newlands Valley
6.13: High Spy (with Dale Head)

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 9th 2012

I cannot believe that I only have one more walking day left. The weather turned out to be incredible and is forecast to be clear of rain until the Monday, at least. When like this, I know that the views are going to be amazing - and I wasn't disappointed. No wind, blue sky, green grass, fresh air - what more could I want! Over the past few days, I'd noticed that the heather was beginning to flower, so therefore decided to wander up to Hay Stacks in the hope of a great view over Innominate Tarn. So, headed straight up Scarth Gap after breakfast, stopping at the top for a water break, due to the already hot sun. Then it was time to scramble to the summit of Hay Stacks. Sure enough, I wasn't disappointed ... read more
High Stile, Red Pike and Dodd
Robinson
7.21: Haystacks

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 8th 2012

Dawn was wonderful. After the last few days, the early morning light was amazing. A little mist but no more thick black cloud over the mountains. Today was also the day on which I was moving accommodation and so it was not going to be possible to walk great distances. So, after breakfast, I packed and transferred my bags to the car and set off to the new digs. Once my chores were done, it would be 12h30 before I was able to head off into the mountains. Parking at Newlands Hause, I decided to head up to Knott Rigg, a simple ascent of 700'. The warm sun was a delight as I climbed to the summit with its minuscule cairn made that tiny bit taller by my own addition. Once at the summit, it made ... read more
Fleetwith Pike
Red Pike and Dodd from Newlands Hause
Newlands Valley

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 7th 2012

Weather forecast indicated light wind, no rain and patchy cloud. I therefore set off after breakfast looking forwards to a lovely day on the summits, with great views. Buttermere was like a mill pond with no obvious movement in the water and this made for some great photos. Sour Milk Gill, however, was running a torrent due to the recent heavy rain and this indicated that it would be rather wet up near Bleaberry Tarn. So, in the sunshine, I headed straight up the path to Bleaberry Tarn, arriving rather hot but grateful for the cooling breeze. I carried on up to The Saddle and then noticed that the recent rain had washed much of the path up Red Pike away. Ironically, the route was now easier as the path was looser and it was now ... read more
Buttermere
Buttermere
Buttermere

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 6th 2012

I love rain. I love wind. I just love being outside. Today was a little different though. The early morning light was lovely, with little clouds skimming Buttermere, although darker clouds were waiting in the wings. By the time breakfast was over, a little persistent rain was falling and the clouds were rolling in. The mountain forecast had certainly got this wrong! After waiting quarter of an hour, it looked as though the weather was clearing from the North West and so I decided to continue with my plan and climb Dale Head. The roads were empty as I drove up the Honister pass and parked in the summit car park. The rain had stopped, so I simply donned a fleece and set off up towards the summit. About twenty minutes into the climb, I reached ... read more

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 5th 2012

It was a beautiful morning. No wind and the lake was like glass. Fluffy balls of white cloud drift between the mountains. Unfortunately, there where dark clouds looming where I was. So I walked along Pike Rigg enjoying the last of the sun whilst a little heron stood sentry by the lake. The path long Mill Beck was still a little muddy after last night's torrential rain but, once one the grass footpath up to Rannerdale, the ground was drier. As I reached Whiteless Breast, I could hear the thunder peals around Great Gable (to the South West) and see the black clouds surrounding the peak. Near me, rain clouds were brewing so I made the decision not to attempt Grasmoor as this would add an additional hour and a quarter to the walk. Good choice ... read more
Rannerdale Knotts
Rannerdale Knotts from Whiteless Breast
6:12: Whiteless Pike

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 4th 2012

It was a beautiful sunny morning, although torrential rain and thunder was forecast for later in the day. Hence, it was necessary to do a shorter walk in order to get back down before the heavens opened. And so it came to pass that the thin ridge of Fleetwith Pike beckoned, the steep climb being broken by a visit at Fanny Mercer's memorial on the way up. The climb was broken into four distinct portions, with climbing certainly on the cards and the summit being hidden! After an hour, I made the summit and stopped for water before beginning the descent down to the bothy in the quarry. Part way down, a shower came in and I had to don full waterproofs. Although the shower only lasted a few minutes, it was enough to make the ... read more
The route up Fleetwith Pike
The route up Fleetwith Pike
Fleetwith Pike - looking ominous




Tot: 0.222s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 11; qc: 124; dbt: 0.1322s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.3mb