Page 5 of Ever Onward Travel Blog Posts


Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 3rd 2012

After a very nice breakfast, set off in the early morning sun to Honister Hause, where the walk towards the summit of Dale Head would begin. It's a relatively steep walk, made more difficult by the fact that the summit cannot be seen until one is almost at the summit. Just to compound things, the path for which I was looking was to be found approximately 25 minutes after setting off, was very faint and was marked by a small cairn, not really visible from the path. Surprisingly, I found the path 24 minutes after setting off and thus stopped the climb and instead headed off-piste towards Dale Head Tarn. The route was very wet underfoot and over-ankle but once at the tarn, a dry(er) patch was found. It was so pleasant to be in such ... read more
6.13: High Spy
View towards Grisedale Pike
"Summit" of Blea Crag

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District August 2nd 2012

Woke up around feeling a little chilled only to discover that, following last night's heavy rain, water was beginning to leak into the room. Made a note to book elsewhere! Rather apt though as today I'd be following in the steps of Moses, even to the point of walking through bulrushes! After breakfast, began the long drag up to Scarth Gap, rain resulting in me putting on and taking off waterproofs throughout the climb. An hour and twenty minutes later, the cairn was in sight ... and a quick drink of water and, more importantly, a mobile signal. Once new accommodation was confirmed, I headed for the summit of Haystacks. Some scrambling was required to reach the summit, but with the weather improving, it was proving to be lovely walk. Next came Innominate Tarn and Blackbeck ... read more
Innominate Tarn
High Crag and Buttermere from Great Round How
Brandreth (from Great Round How)

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District July 31st 2012

A strange thing was seen in the sky this morning. Sun. And blue sky. I set off along Pike Rigg, where the path was still wet with the recent rains and headed for Sour Milk Gill. Normally, I'd continue along the lake path to Mellbreak, but this time, I began the long and slow ascent up the stone steps towards Bleaberry Tarn. In the hot sun, it was hard going and before long I was smelling like a badger after a night on the town! Bleaberry was cool by comparison and every time the sun disappeared behind a cloud, the temperature fell. However, as the temperature fell, so it was necessary to rise and begin the ascent up Red Pike. The climb to The Saddle was relatively easy, but going beyond was getting interesting. The path ... read more
Red Pike and Dodd
High Stile, Red Pike and Dodd
Whiteless Pike, with Grassmoor and ell Crag

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District July 30th 2012

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
Honister Pass and Buttermere
Hindscarth and Scope End
From Hindscarth to High Crags and lunch

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District July 29th 2012

The weather this morning was not perfect. Fine drizzle was interspersed with proper rain. Sadly, the waterproof trousers had to come out ... as did the waterproof top. I set off along the lake and, arriving in the village, began the long, slow climb up Whiteless Breast and onto Whiteless Pike. Occasionally, cold showers lashed whilst a bitter wind threatened to grab one and hurl one down the slope. The view from the top was spectacular, even with the clouds rolling by. Robinson and Snockrigg sat in front with Haystacks, High Crag and High Stile filling the middle ground whilst Great Gable loomed in the murk at the back. Fantastic!!! Then came Saddle Gate and Whiteless Edge, a little hair raising due to the wind. Climbing down and then back up across Wandope Moss to find ... read more
Snockrigg as seen from the path up to Whiteless Pike
Saddle Gate and Whiteless Edge
Whiteless Pike

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

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
Hassness
This is our drinking water ... part way up Robinson
Fleetwith Pike with the Honister Mine visible on the left

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District July 27th 2012

Having spent yesterday looking down on the Lakes, I decided that I'd spend today looking up from the Lakes. Today would be spent walking by river and dub. A little later than planned, I left the house and headed into Rosthwaite. This is one of the wettest parts of the UK and, true to form, the drizzle started and the wet weather gear was donned. Being the Lakes, true to form, the drizzle stopped and the wet weather gear came off! Before any deity could change its mind, I set off from the car park to begin the ascent of Puddingstone Bank. I believe this route was once a Coffin Trail and having completed the initial climb to Resting Stone, with the footpath being relatively free of mud and water, could see little evidence of this ... read more
Watendlath Tarn
Watendlath Beck
Moss Mire - and lunch

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

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
Today ... Where's the Water?
Buttermere Reflection
Lunch over Buttermere (Rannerdale Knotts)

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

After yesterday's heavy rain ... and last night's heavy rain ... this morning proved still. Totally still. No wind. At all. Cloud ... but no wind!... read more
Crummock Water
Crummock Water
Crummock Water

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Cumbria » Lake District July 24th 2012

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
Crummock Water
Is this Blue Sky?
Fleetwith Pike




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