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

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 

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..