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.

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.