A luxury wild camp..

This time last week we had already decided we needed to spend a night in the hills, I was excited all week! Friday morning came and the weather wasn't on our side nor was the traffic. We quickly decided to book into YHA Ambleside. 

Checked in and bag dropped off we just couldn't help going for a quick hike up Loughrigg. For one so short in stature, it makes up for any lacking in height by having fantastic views all around and includes a complicated top which took us a few attempts to find the right one.

The Langdale pikes always make for a dramatic back drop for a picture. After a quick chat with a local fell runner on the summit we marched off and headed back for Ambleside, on the way down we unexpectedly stumbled across Rydal caves..

First walk of the weekend in the bag 7.26 miles, 2hours and 1545ft of altitude, back at the YHA we were quickly showered and change and on the march back into to Ambleside again for some well earned pub grub and live music courtesy of paper cranes, oh and a few beers! 

The YHA couldn't be in better location! breakfast with a view. Sat having our morning coffee looking up at the Fairfield horseshoe surrounding us it was just drawing us in, we just had to do it.

One of my favourite pictures from this trip a silhouette, dramatic cloud and big mountains, What more could a mountain picture want? apart from maybe some snow. 

The fairfield horseshoe was a real leg burner and a great workout it rewards you with great views. We followed this wall all the way off the ridge and basically back to the car, is the great wall of the lake district? Drystone walls truly amaze me they are in a sense, living history.

Windgather Rocks

I spent today at a very windy, Windgather rocks putting my climbing skills to the test, as I was a little rusty! Windgather is a gritstone crag located  in the Peak District National Park, as the name suggests the area is exposed to the prevailing westerly winds. I spent most of the day in a winter down jacket!

After my friend led the route it was my turn to 'thug' my way up. the first route was called Route 2 a VS 4B, for a full list of routes at windgather check out Rockfax. 

 

 After seconding a few routes it was time to lead one (South Buttress Crack).

By this time the wind was really picking up and we thought it was best to stop and sit down for a coffee. 

 After our coffee the wind finally died down a little and the sun started to shine, we spent all afternoon playing and completed 9 out of the 67 trad routes at Windgather I will definitely be returning to tick a few more off! big thank you to Fruit and Lorna for inviting me. 

Wet & Wild

I spent most of today wondering why I love the hills and why I do this to myself, I was drenched to the bone and couldn't see anything because of the low cloud. Before we even set off we were contemplating bailing and heading to the pub.

Regardless we headed for summit, aiming to complete Pike'o'Blisco, Crinkle crags and Bow fell but we all knew the weather wouldn't give.

Early january this year I tried the same route and didn't make it due to blizzard conditions, I knew the same was going to happen today. Had i convinced myself already I wanted to give up?

After finding shelter for lunch we reached Pike'o'blisco summit, the views were great.. 

The wind and rain picked up so we headed down only completing the one summit, but we found a cool looking waterfall. The decent was comedy and I spent most of it on my back (i'll be sore tomorrow) 

Back on flat ground I realised I still love the hills regardless the weather, It made me feel like a kid again getting soaked without a care in the world.. but i definitely need a jacket! 

Take it home..

 

I would like take a minute to talk about the growing problem, litter being scattered across our beloved hills. I have heard there has been various volunteering groups spending hours clearing up the vast amounts of litter around the lake district! 

Not only does litter ruin the views we challenge ourselves to see, but it could also harm wild animals the RSPCA receive over 7,000 calls a year about litter related incidents. This isn't just 'lunch litter' things like chinese lanterns, elastic bands and balloons have also been involved. 

We all carry our litter up the hill presumably in some sort of rucksack so why not take it down again? its not extra weight! if anything its less weight. Dropping litter now seems to be socially acceptable so if you see a hillwalker drop litter please challenge them. A touchy subject is banana and orange skins which i wont go into, my preference is to take them home too.

take only photographs leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time

A sunday stroll..

The day started dull and cloudy we parked high on the Kirkstone pass, anyone who has travelled over the Kirkstone pass will have noticed the scree slopes that make up the popular fell of Red Screes. 

The cloud finally did start to lift and gave us a glimpse of the Kentmere horseshoe. The route to the top of Red Screes is definitely a 'legwarmer' despite its relatively short route, starting at nearly 450m half the ascent is already done.

Red Screes summit offers fine views..

Of course it would be rude not to visit Middle Dodd and tick of another Wainwright, a short and easy out-and-back walk along Smallthwaite band with even better views across brothers water into Patterdale.

Having got up and down two fells before lunch time we wondered how we would spend the afternoon we toyed with the idea of driving to another fell, but before long we found ourselves in a beer garden in Ambleside, I couldn't think of any better way to spend the afternoon. 

The Dodds

After returning home from a family holiday with very itchy feet (not from the bites). Thoughts already in  the hills, I contacted a friend and we decided we wanted to do some wainwrights we haven't  ticked off. we headed for Ullswater aiming to complete the Dodds.. 

Car park with a view ay? We set off up through Glencoyne wood the route we chose was strenuous and overgrown and the flies were relentless, maybe this was the reason we ended up on the wrong path.

Or maybe it was my poor navigation? We soon stumbled onto Glenridding Dodd which wasn't on our itinerary so I say happy mistake, we bagged another Wainwright.

The view from the summit was breathtaking..

The next view was from Sheffield Pike looking towards Glenridding and the Kentmere horseshoe.

We had some brilliant views of Helvellyn and Catsye-Cam all day including the crowds on its summit, which made me realise we hadn't seen many people on our route is this a remote part of the lake district? 

Lunch spot with a view.. surely this is "eating out" at its best? 

The winding path up Raise was intriguing and i decided to bag another Wainwright.

The path back to Ullswater was like something out of a film and made me realise why I love the lake district so much, its pure beauty and tranquil sounds are truly relaxing. 

After 12.39 miles, 3,819ft of elevation and 7 Wainwrights we just had to have a dip in Ullswater to cool off! 

All pictures courtesy of Paul Titterton. Check his instagram out: @3asa_bird 

My First Video

My first video, shot whilst wild camping in the Lake district, let me know what you think...

Microadventures

I recently read this book and was truly inspired by Alastair Humpherys out look on life and adventure.
check out his site: http://www.alastairhumphreys.com order the book and start exploring the UK!!

Kentmere10

The plan was simple, to walk the Kentmere horseshoe and bag 10 Wainwrights at the same time. We set off from Cheshire at 7am, all very eager and excited to start the walk, there wasn't much conversation in the car. When we arrived in Kentmere we soon realised there wasn't much going on, and very few parking spaces. We soon found ourselves knocking on the door of a farm house to ask if we could park on his land, we were greeted by an nervous sounding voice and a woman saying "is that you Jonathan" I can only imagine she doesn't have many visitors. Anyway she took £3 from us and let us park on her drive. Tip: for anyone who's going to try the Kentmere round, there's a lovely woman that lives at the start of the trail and for £3 will keep an eye on your car for the day. 

 

Above: my friends Paul and Craig heading up Garburn pass with the first three summits in the back ground Yoke, Ill Bell and Frostwick. The view from the Garburn pass has to be one the best views I have witnessed in the Lake District, a picture wouldn't  do it any justice, you'll just have to get up there to see it! 

Kentmere's old industries- there is evidence of human habitation in the kentmere valley dating back as far as 4000 BC, when the valley and surrounding hillsides were cloaked with trees; but the first recorded settlers were Celtic farmers who arrived during the Iron Age. Kentmere became a big player in the local woollen industry following the construction of water mill in the late 13th century.  

Do you really need to leave the UK for amazing views?

Thornthwaite Beacon: a famous lakes landmark that can be seen from miles around. 

Conversation soon turned to food, and we decided to stop and have lunch just below High Street summit overlooking Haweswater. England's only resident golden eagle has occupied a site just below our lunch spot in the Riggindale valley since 2001, but sadly we didn't see him. 

View of Kentmere reservoir, Frostwick, Ill bell and Yoke from Mardale 

 

Looking back at the Horseshoe felling tired and hungry but all very worth while. kentmere remains untouched by the commercial machine of the modern world, lets keep it that way. 

And of course a mountain day wouldn't be complete without a refreshing cool off in the river kent.

  

But watch out for these little nippers..