backpacking

2012-01-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

Green Gable

We crossed the beck at Seathwaite on a cloudier day than anticipated after seeing the forecast the previous Friday. We had decided to visit Dawne's mam in South Shields on the Saturday.
We quickly discovered that the paths were very icy as we headed up into Gillercombe.

Sandwiches were eaten in the lee of the head wall of the corrie before heading into a very cold and blustery wind.

As we traversed the summit a fine view of Ennerdale and Pillar opened up.

We turned left down Aaron Slack.

It was around here that one member of the party discovered just how icy it was as they flew downhill head first. Apart from some bruising they were luckily unhurt.

The late start meant we were 10 mins too late for a Booth's scone.

2011-12-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

Helvellyn Avalanche Warning.

Helvellyn it is then. No I don't think I'm brave or foolhardy, but when Radio Cumbria mentioned huge drifts of snow and possible avalanches on Helvellyn I had to go. I figured if I went up from the Thirlmere side , I call it the Brown cove car park, then I would be on the wind scoured side of the fell and all the big accumulations would be on the other side in the corries. Also I have been on this route before in similar conditions and when it got too dicey I simply turned back.

As I drove to the lay-by on the main road I noticed the above one nearly full. This panicked me a bit as this one fills up only after the one further up the road on the Thirlmere side is full. But the reason soon became apparent and rip off Britain has reached the Lakes.

Fair enough if they've had to create a car park and tarmac it etc. but this is just a lay-by.

As I gained height the snow depth increased and the weather closed in.

Just visible in the mirk are two walkers ahead of me. I later overtook them as they were having crampon problems.

I hacked a seat into the summit shelter drifts, had a quick cup of tea from my Aldi flask, bugger only luke warm. Then headed down.

I kept away from the drop off to the right and an early bath in Red Tarn as two more people approach the summit.

I emerged from the cloud near the big boulder at the entrance to Brown Cove. Sheltering behind the boulder I ate my sandwiches, leaving some for the raven circling above.

A call into Keswick and the Black's 25% off sale saw me heading home with a new flask.

2011-11-20T13:49:00.001-08:00

Big Round Hill Hill

We decided to revisit the above fell on Saturday after noticing that a lot of the more central fells were capped in cloud. The sun kissed slopes of the above fell seemed more inviting, especially if we could zoom off to Penrith afterwards to sample the delights of the new Booth's Cafe and pick up some sausages from the Cranston's Food hall.

Surrounding this fell is a band of deciduous trees and then higher up conifers. As with a lot of places in the Lakes if you want to see these trees you had better go soon as the trees are dying. There seems to be lots of broken and decaying trees but not much sign of re- generation. Of course there werte sheep. Will they ever remove the sheep and allow some regrowth?

After visiting the summit and half filling a bag with discarded rubbish, presumably left by a visiting band of morons, we descended through the incredibly contorted conifers.

Lunch was eaten in the shelter of the wood. On a previous visit there were deer (roe ?) sheltering.

We then headed on down through the bracken.

And we had the sausages for breakfast this morning.

2011-11-16T12:26:00.001-08:00

Days Out

We have not had much time for big walks since the Pyrenees, so here afre a few images of short walks over the past few months.

The Tebay Lad and the Geordie Lass etc. Last Bit.

2011-09-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

Up early and D decides with one more col, and the Parc landrover taxis at the Estany de Sant Maurici, we might as well head that way.

Lac Obago.

Sitting in the sun on the Port de Ratera des Colomers. (2572m)

Down the GR11 past the Estany del Port de Ratera.

Estany de les Obagues de Ratera.

The Encantats across the valley.

We arrived back in Espot and the car which was covered in a layer of dust from the car park.
Dawne kept off her foot for the rest of the holiday and was in pain. We caught the train from Toulouse at 0930hrs and were in Carlisle for 22:30 hrs. A trip to casualty and one Xray later revealed a clean break in her foot. Bandaged up for 8 weeks. Geordie lasses are tough.

The Tebay Lad and Geordie Lass backpack in the Parc National D' Aiguestortes I Estany De Saint Maurici, Part 4

2011-09-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

We continued on past the Estany de Travessani en route for the Port de Caldes.

As we gained height we looked across at the Massis de Besiberri, peaks over 3000m high.

The endless walking over granite was beginning to tell, and Dawne's foot was aching by now.

The Port de Caldes (2568m) hoved into sight at last.

The view down the other side into the Circ de Colomers.

We were tired by now and D's foot was hurting so we headed down quickly past the Estanh Mort.

The Circ was full of cows and we finally found a poo free site besides the Estanh Plan.

The Geordie Lass was knocking back the Ibuprofen for the foot and a decision would be needed in the morning wether to head down and catch a bus to Espot or climb the last col and walk back.

The Tebay Lad and Geordie Lass backpack in the Parc National D' Aiguestortes I Estany De Saint Maurici, Part3

2011-08-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

The next morning we headed down the Vall de Dellui heading for the Refuge d' Estany Long. A party met us heading up as we negotiated the boulder field. There were posts to guide you through.

The view down the valley with the Estanyets de Dellui.

Typical view.

Looking back up the valley, the camp site was just below the distant roche moutonnee.

We had hoped to spend a night at the Refuge d' Estany Long. But of course it was full. This is a very popular bit of the Parc with people coming up from the taxis to the lake. So we headed down to the taxis which whisk you to Boi for 5€. We had a night in a hotel after sampling the tapas.

A taxi was taken to the dam wall of the Embassament de Cavallers from where we headed up towards the Refugi Joan Ventosa i Calvell. This was a hot day and the sun reflected off the granite slabs as we made our way up the trough end.

The refuge.

......and lunch.

One reason the huts are popular is that there is a circuit that they run around carrying very small packs.

Anyway, time to soak up the views and rest in the heat of the day.

Beard's coming on lad.

The Tebay Lad and Geordie Lass backpack in the Parc National D' Aiguestortes I Estany De Saint Maurici, Part2

2011-08-26T12:31:00.000-07:00

We spent a pleasant hour over looking the Estany de Colomina before continuing on the GR 11-20. After a kilometre or so we swung off up a track heading north west besides the Estany Tort. Yes there are a lot of Estanys.

Greg en route.

Dawne en route.

Estany Tort.

We were going to camp by the Estany Eixerola, above, but the herds of cows and piles of dung on all flat surfaces forced us to cross the Collada de Dellui (2577m) rather later in the day than we anticipated.

From the col we looked down the Vall de Dellui and its obligatory Estany.

At the first suitable flat bit (2400m) the tent went up. We had to be out of site as camping is not allowed in the Parc. All the refuges are full and there was no camping signs beside them, so you dont have much choice other than stealth camping.

So the sun sets on another perfect day. How many Estanys tomorrow?

The Tebay Lad and Geordie Lass backpack in the Parc National D' Aiguestortes I Estany De Saint Maurici, Part1

2011-08-25T13:04:00.000-07:00

We travelled by Eurostar to Paris and then TGV to Toulouse. In theory 13 hours from Carlisle. A lack of research on my part saw us missing the Toulouse train by 5 mins and having to get a later train.

After a night camping in Espot we took the hair-raising Landrover taxi to the Refugi JM Blanc by the Estany Tort. We have been to the Pyrenees at least 5 times but always to the granite peaks such as Carlit and Andorra. This area is no exception being white granite. There are dozens of lakes , often with white granite sandy beaches and best of all no midges.

The track (GR11-20) led on past the Estany Negre.

The track continued to the col in the middle distance.

After a short first day we pitched up at 2500m over looking Estany del Cap del Port. The cloud had built up, but luckily it stayed fine.

Next morning we followed the track around the lake and over the Collada de Saburo (2689m).

The Geordie Lass breaks free of the boulder field below the Collada de Saburo. There is a path down there somewhere.

After passing two more lakes, there are too many to mention, we rounded the Estany de Colomina and headed for the refuge.

We bought lunch in the refuge and settled down for a rest in the heat of the day.

Looking at rocks.

2011-07-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

My dad worked at Shap Granite and I grew up in Tebay so I was always going to have an interest in geology. From my house I could see the Silurian mud stones ( I believe these are now called the Windermere supergroup , Shap Granite, Carboniferous Limestone and Borrowdale volcanics.

It was time to look at rocks again. I left the car at the Blencathra Centre and followed the path around above the Glenderaterra Beck. The rocks being Skiddaw mudstones laid down in an ocean trench 480 million years ago. This trip was to look at the Skiddaw Granite which is exposed in Sinen Gill. This is part of a batholith of granite underlying the Lake District, it intruded into the Skiddaw mudstones 400 million years ago. The heat metamorphosed the mudstones and as you get closer to Sinen Gill the mudstones gradually change.

The first gill is about half a mile from the granite and the mudstones have developed white crystals of chiastolite. As you walk further the mudstones get harder and become hornfels often with dark spots of cordierite. Eventually in Sinen Gill you come across a 2m high waterfall of granite blocks.

The granite is pale in colour and is exposed in the beck bottom.

On the surrounding slopes are some very hard examples of the folded hornfels.

Not an expert so apologies for any inaccuracies.

Backpacking Food

2011-07-07T13:31:00.000-07:00

First we made a beef mince stew with onions and carrots and then added frozen peas.

We have a couple of plastic trays but just use parchment paper to stop the stew running through on the rest.

At the same time as the stew we dried a sauce bought at Aldi. These dry down to next to nothing and can be added to almost any stewy type meal.

The finished stew was spooned onto the trays.

The stew was then dried for 24 hours or so in the dehydrator. It was cooked in camp in a plastic bag inside a home made cosey. We like to use bowls to eat from and these are extremely light. By cooking in a plastic bag the pan is still clean and can be used to make tea or coffee whilst the meal is cooking.
The meal above has had some smash powdered potato added.

This meal has had pasta added to it. The remains of the plastic cooking bag and the cosey are also in the picture.

The dehydrator is made by L'Equip and shortly after producing these meals the element burned out. This is the second time this has happened, the first occasion was under a year and I got it replaced . I have had it a while now so I contacted the manufacturers with a view to purchasing an element. If it's customer care you 're after don't use this make . They have not even acknowledged my e mails.
Unless they respond shortly I will have to purchase a different make to process my meals for the summer hols.

Great Moss

2011-06-06T13:43:00.000-07:00

After stopping at the Ratty cafe for a second breakfast we headed up towards the great Moss. The idea was to try out the new Vaude Power Lizard tent. We hope to go backpacking in the Aiguestortes this summer and wanted to see if this tent was big enough.

Tent up and cup of tea on the way we decided on a little stroll before tea.

The tent is great to carry and I noticed the difference in bulk and weight between it and the Akto. It is a bit small and I would not like to be in it sheltering from a storm for any length of time. The porch is small for two peoples ' gear. Probably a great tent for one person.

Next morning we awoke to the sound of wild geese flying down the valley and put the Caldera on for a cup of tea. We will be having another night out soon if the weather is good and hope to try the Solar 2.2. This is a bit heavier but has an entrance at both sides for more space. We have only been out a couple of times in the Solar in the past and I'm not keen of the way the flysheet goes on last and just drapes over the top.

We packed up and headed back for the car, calling at the ratty cafe for a second breakfast.

Meall nan Tarmachan

2011-04-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Van parked at start of walk , Dawne inside making sandwiches.
We stayed in the van overnight in Killin and were there for a rather cloudy start at 0900 hrs.

Ben Lawers in the distance as the cloud starts to descend.

The ridge ahead looks quite interesting, unfortunately this was the last we would see of it as the cloud rolled in.

We sat by the little tarn above surrounded by clumps of Saxifraga Oppositifolia. If only they kept the sheep out in the Lakes.

The Meall Garbh part of the ridge was narrower than expected and we struggled on a very steep descent at the end. Apparently there is a little detour that avoids the steep bit but we missed it in the mist.

Eventually we emerged from the mist in the corrie below Creag na Caillich. we walked back to the Ben Lawers car park on the quarry road. Lower down there were clumps of my favourite flower , Primula Vulgaris.

Jack's Rake

2011-04-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

Not used to the heat we arrived at the tarn quite hot. I did not have the sun hat and my wife still had her winter trousers. Must be 5 years since we did the Rake. Tried taking a gradual rising line up the screes last time so just stuck to the path this time.

I must be getting old cos I certainly did not find it as hard in the past, we struggled up the tight bits under the critical eyes of climbers. Near the top we branched off right up some lovely slabs to the summit. I've not been to the Cuillin Ridge but that gabbro will have to be rough to out rough the rocks on the top of Pavey Ark.

Put Buff over head in attempt to keep sun off bald spot. Innov8 s looking a bit worn, can't understand the huge boots some folk wear.

We descended down to Pike How, watching the paragliders catching the afternoon breeze.

A big cycling event was taking place in Langdale and the fields were full of cars. They certainly had a nice day for it. Just time for a drink at the Stickle Barn before heading home.

Cycling in the Netherlands

2011-03-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

We managed to get a few days holiday so caught the Hull to Zeebrugge ferry on Saturday. We loaded up the Roomster, which is more like a van once all the seats are lifted out.

We had one night in a Amsterdam Hotel which was a total rip off as regards price. We were amazed at the number of bikes. The next view shows the bikes parked outside Amstel station.

We abandoned Amsterdam. Looking at the map of the Netherlands we could see a large National Park north of Arnhem so we booked into the Postillion just out of town and the next day cycled the incredible network of cycle tracks. These are followed with a numbering system and strategically placed maps.

Some of the routes are roadside, some are tar surfaced and some in the Park were unpaved. But if you're into cycling the Netherlands is geared up for it.

And we didn't see any tulips.

Eagle Crag and Sergeant Crag

2011-02-28T12:36:00.000-08:00

An early start had me a parking place in Stonethwaite in front of the
postbox.

Adrian, a friend at work had done this walk a couple of weeks back and I remembered that last time I did it there were a couple of ponds full of frog spawn.

The forecast was better for the Sunday but as is the way of these things I was tied to the Saturday. So I trudged up the valley in the flat light of a cloudy day.

The route from here appears to be impossible as it goes up the front of the crags in the picture above. The secret is to go up the fell to the col between Bleak How and the fell behind. There is a series of ramps and ledges to the top. Having said that the path does swing off right at the top and a more 'interesting' direct route can be made up the top tier.

The top has a wonderful slab of rock that makes a grand picnic table in summer. At this point a few bright intervals were appearing in the clouds. Off to the next peak, Sergeant's Crag.

View to Bowfell /Esk Pike.

Just down from the next summit are two small tarns which I can't see on the OS map. I'm sure others will spot them straight away. I was here in the past when the tarns and the surrounding grass were covered in frog spawn. We spent half an hour rescuing it and putting it in the water. Must be bit early this year as no sign of anything. Still it 's a good place to sit and contemplate the meaning of lif.

The descent is straightforwards down the side of Greenup Gill, in which, if you deviate from the path, there are some good waterfalls to see.

No frog spawn , but I did see four buzzards, one red squirrel and a hare.

Karrimor Alpiniste 45

2011-02-20T13:36:00.000-08:00

I have not owned a Karrimor rucksack since 1978 ish. But I had a look in the Field and Trek store in Ambleside last week and they had Karrimor at 40 or 50% off. I had priced up Lightwave and Black Diamond sacks and they were nearer £100 pounds. So I took the plunge and bought the above sack for £50.

The reason I need the sack is because my Black Diamond sack, orange one above, is 30l and I find it a bit small for winter use. I generally carry a belay type jacket plus waterproofs, spare hat and gloves, map, sarnies, flask, and not to mention crampons and/or skis etc. So I had been using my Gregory Z pack above , another great sack and plenty big enough. I just thought something around 45 litres would be better.

The Karrimor has all the relevant attachment points for axes etc. and has a separate slot inside for a platypus. It seems well made. The only thing , so far, that I dont like is that the chest strap is one of those that slot onto a rail. I have not had much luck with these in the past.

So today I had a walk up to the Lake District Ski Club hut on Raise carrying the skis and gear. If you click on photos they enlarge. The sack was comfortable and coped with the skis no problem.

Terrible conditions today , snow poor crusty stuff and visibility nil on the slopes. Ah well it was a good walk and the vegetable korma and cappuccino in the Lakeland Pedlar were spot on.

Seat Sandal

2011-02-13T13:59:00.000-08:00

Havent posted for a while. We were up Skiddawweek before last and there was a hunt on. We saw the fox being chased and it really spoiled my day. Dozens of men, dogs, guns and one fox. They' re so brave. Asked one of the lads on a quad bike if it was a hunt , "no just exercising the dogs." The fact that they can get away with such a feeble excuse is contemptible.
Anyway, back to this week, the weather was a bit cloudy and not feeling too energetic we went straight up from Dunmail Raise.

It's a bigger hill than I remembered, and i was glad of a cup of tea at the top in the lee of a small crag. We followed the wall down to descend Raise Beck.

So back to the car and into Ambleside for a cappuccino. Bought a half price rucksack in Field and Trek.

Red Pike

2011-01-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Still not got used to this camera as a lot of the pictures have not turned out today. It was dull and the pictures were under exposed.

View of Buttermere.

And Crummock

The ground was still frozen and it was difficult to make progress upwards in places. Red Pike is interesting as the summit appears to be skiddaw slate on top of Ennerdale Granophyre. Across the comb are crags of the Borrowdale volcanics.

We descended via Scale Beck, the path was still iced over in places. So we crossed the beck to bye-pass the worst bits.

On the walk back I had to rescue a sheep being chased by two dogs that some inconsiderate owners were letting run loose. They were so far back on the path that they probably could n't see what was going on.

Real Skiing

2011-01-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

A sunny start to the day with the tops covered in snow. Picture near Troutbeck enroute.

Headed up to the Lake District Ski Club hut on Raise after parking at the Greenside Mine car park. Definitely not straight out onto the piste here. It's a long walk up and you are nackered by the time you get there. The cloud was down and it was windy. No corrugated piste bashing either. The snow was terrible boiler plate frozen sleet by the looks of it. The lumps and bumps were unspottable in the flat light. After three runs down, 2 falls and a long "rest" in the club hut I heded down out of the cloud into Keppel Cove.

Keppel Cove is a bleak spot on a wild day and Catseycam is a fine mountain from here.

Circled [click on to enlarge] a person on the north west ridge of Catseycam.

The cloud started to blow away and a hint of blue arrived as the sun was going down.

Well no chips in Keswick on the way home, but a grand coffee in the Square Orange.

Eurostar and Belle Plagne

2011-01-09T01:49:00.000-08:00

Like quite a lot of people I was poorly on the lead up to Christmas and couldn't shake off a nasty hacking cough. We had booked seats on Eurostar leaving from Ashford, Kent at 10 am Boxing Day. The weather was still ice age and the all night journey from Cumbria was made worse by having to go via Peterborough. Eurostar is an efficient way to get to the Alps and the booked taxi was there at Aime La Plagne to whizz us up the mountain. Oh, and motorway service stations are shut at Christmas.

View from apartment next morning.

Anyway I was finally shaking off the cold and by Tuesday of the holiday it was wall to wall sunshine. I seem to have been skiing for a number of years now but never get any better. The French whizz past as if they were born on skis.

Anyway we had a great week and some of the scenery is stunning. Eurostar is a good way to get to the Alps the only down side if you live up north is the 8 or 10 hours it takes to get down to Kent. Still at least I dont live down south.

Deja Vu

2010-12-06T14:43:00.000-08:00

Sunday we had an early start, but when we got to the Thirlmere lay-by beneath Brown Cove it looked like everyone else had had an even earlier one. The lay-by was full of snow so cars were parked all along the verges. We squeezed in and joined the coach party and heading for Brown Cove.

There were similar queues at the bottom of the gully. Anyone following this blog will have realised that we did the same gully last year.

I did not take any photos in the gully but kept the camera in the sack until the top.

Greg at the top. There was some ice in the gully but the snow was unconsolidated powder.

After a knee aching descent , guess what, Keswick for chips. I can report that the Kingfisher portions are bigger that the Old Keswickian portions we had last week.

Nearly skiing

2010-11-30T13:33:00.000-08:00

After a dusting of snow I headed for the Lake District Ski Club. I was late, the roads were covered, I had to go via Rhegged to defrost the windscreen. I was later. The Skoda is the worst car I've had for coping with snow so I parked in the main car park rather than risk the lane to Greenside Mine.

Just as well as there was a Landrover in the ditch on the first hill.

By the time I was climbing the hill behind the mine I was nackered, carrying the heavy skiis and wearing the boots.

I got as far as the first plateau, I told myself it was still a long way, conditions looked marginal to say the least. Headed down for the car and Keswick for chips.

Yewbarrow

2010-11-21T10:50:00.001-08:00

A strong, cold north easterly was forecast with cloud on the eastern fells. So we headed south west for , hopefully, the best weather. It clouded over but we did stay out of the cloud.

Scafell, across the valley, was also out of the clouds but everything further north was cloud capped.

We did not linger on the summit but scooted along the top until there was an "off road " escape to the valley and somewhere warm to eat the sandwiches.

Beda Fell

2010-11-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

This must be my least visited area of the Lakes. It's quite a drive and I've never liked the narrow lane down the side of Ullswater. I parked on the hill above Martindale walked across the bridge and up onto the ridge.

This is an attractive ridge with good all round views. Martindale forest across the valley looks worth exploring.

After the summit and a few sandwiches I descended to Dale Head farm and the road. There's a gate just north of here with a track across the valley. If you wanted to explore the forest or climb Gowk Hill you would cross the valley here. Unfortunately walkers are forbidden.

The excuse seems to be that it's a deer park. The real reason seems to be that the Bungalow is a Holiday cottage. So the cottage occupants don't seem to be upsetting the deer.

I guess if you went up the valley past the Bungalow deer might be encounterted, but to cross the valley north of the bungalow to climb Gowk hill would disturb nothing.

Interesting door lintel spotted on road side.

Winter Preparation

2010-11-10T22:42:00.000-08:00

I had a bad cold at the weekend so took the opportunity to put the new cover on the campervan. I dont know how well these work , but we sustained frost damage to the water system last year. I've drained it more thoroughly this time.

Congratulations

2010-10-30T13:45:00.001-07:00

I received an e mail and the photos from my brother who has just completed all the Munros.
Totally amazing , he had the last one to do for about a year, then just took off and did it.

If I had one to do I wouldn't be able to wait that long. What if you broke a leg and couldn't do it.
Anyway the mountain is called Aonach Mor.
Well it makes my 3 rounds of Wainwrights look a bit tame. Wonder if I could do the Inn Pinn ?
Would the knees make it at this age, I'm 5 years older than Andrew.
Well done bro.

Almost the same Place

2010-10-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

I went back to the same car park today but this time went straight up the fell to Bell Knot and then onto Little Hart Crag. About 2 weeks ago the last of the swallows left the factory down near the coast, but unbelievably I saw 4 swooping around at 400m in the lea of the ridge.
The top was in cloud so I didn't see any thing again until I emerged in the upper Hogget Gill corrie.
This area looks very impressive with lots of little corries and crags with the imposing Dove Crag in the background and a view down Dove Dale.

I dropped off the NE end of Stangs and descended the stream to the main valley just above the bridge. The mist seemed to have cleared off the tops a bit as I walked back across the valley to the car.

I wonder how much longer places like this will remain with trees. There were lots of sheep in this area. The trees in the bits I walked through seemed quite old with lots of stumps and bits broken off. As they die there doesn't seem to be anything re growing as the sheep just eat everything. Is it time to remove them for a while ? We might get some flowers then as well.

Getting Fit

2010-09-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

There's a need to get fit for Christmas as we've just booked a skiing holiday in Belle Plagne. The cost of skiing always means we are on the first lift in a morning and coming down last at night. If you're not fit it's exhausting. So today we went for a walk.

Middle Dodd from the foot of Kirkstone Pass.

We tried parking at Hartsop but it was mayhem as as organised mines walk was just getting under way. So we drove a couple of miles up the main road to a deserted layby near a footpath sign and away we went. Lakeland fells might be small but this fell goes straight up. The forecast on MWIS said sunny and it was at first but it soon clouded over and the summit was in mist and hence no photos.
A road runs through it.

So after Red Screes it was down the Caiston Glen and back to the car. The Innov8s handled it well , but I did notice the bog water is starting to feel decidedly colder and I had to put the gloves on for the first time in a while.

Living the Dream

2010-09-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Back from the long awaited holiday. We went to Southern Germany in the campervan. The weather was atrocious on the way down but did improve when we got there. We stayed at the above site and cycled into Fussen and the surrounding countryside on the excellent Radwegs.

We then swung right past the Bodensee and through the Black Forest , climbing Feldberg from the ski resort at its foot.

Lunch was eaten whilst an old German man told us how he had been in a prison of war camp in Shropshire. I'd tried not to mention the war..........

More rain followed in the journey up through France so lots of Flunches were eaten and a great time was had by all.

Two nights around Beinn a Ghlo

2010-08-19T12:37:00.000-07:00

Click on images to make them bigger.

Feeling a bit jaded I managed to get two days off work. The forecast was good so Saturday at 2 pm found me parking beside Loch Moraig above Blair Atholl.

The path up Carn Liath is quite obvious from the car park. I am not very familiar with Scotland so had rung about deer stalking and have to say the answer was not particularly helpful. Based more on the fact that there were other cars parked and that they don't shoot on a Sunday ( the following day) I went ahead. So two hours later I was on the summit and for all those people who haven't already asked, no its not snow its quartzite boulders.

The light was disappointing for photography but the beautiful ridge beckons you on to the two munros for tomorrow.

In the event I camped just above the col on the shoulder of Braigh Coire Chruinn-bhaigan (BCC). The wind dropped and the midges came out forcing a retreat into the tent. Later I looked out to see herds of un- shot dear on the summit ridge silhouetted against the evening sky.

I awoke on Sunday to sunshine and no midges.

After traversing BCC and descending to the col I was on the summit of Carn nan Gabhar by 10 am.
I decided to press on instead of reversing my tracks and ended up descending steep slopes above Loch Loch. Cool name, if it was in the Lake district some pratt would call it Lake Loch Loch.
(eg. Lake Windermere , Lake Ullswater etc.)
Heading for a gill I stopped for my dinner , again herds of deer were in all the hollows on the fellside.

After dinner I had a paddle in Loch Loch then walked out along the east shore. There were two landrover loads of folk having a barbeque at the southern edge. Weren't very friendly when I shouted hello.
By the time I had walked around to upper Coire Laggain I was hot and tired. I pitched the tent besides a beck coming down from Airgiod Bheinn. There were more than a dozen ruined shielings here and the place was very atmospheric.

And boy oh boy did those midges go crazy when the sun went down.

I did not bother trying to make tea or eat breakfast next morning but just packed as much as I could in the tent , put on the net and headed out into the mist. As long as you keep moving they can't get you. I headed for the car and hopefully a breakfast in Pitlochry.

I thought they might stop serving breakfast at 10 am so just went into the first cafe I came to in Pitlochry. Full Scottish ? asked the lass. I' m thinking what could be the difference between full Scottish and full English ? I can now tell you : at least £5 dearer (£11.50) undercooked bacon, cheap poor quality sausage, and toast that must have been re toasted as it was as hard as iron.

Lessons learned: lighter less bulky tent needed as this item of equipment weighs at least twice as much as anything else I carry, Innov8s work brilliantly in Scotland ( a ML training instructor told me they wouldn't) , you don't need fancy expensive socks as I just wear ordinary grey nylon ones the same as Ray Jardine, and finally don't go into the first cafe you come to no matter how hungry.

Laal Walk

2010-08-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

More commitments this weekend meant we did not get out for a walk until 1500 hrs on Sunday afternoon. Luckily Rannerdale Knott is only half an hour away and makes a grand short stroll with good views.
There was one place in the car park. It had obviously been a busy day as there were cars parked everywhere and people having barbecues by the lake.

We continued along the ridge before slanting off left to the valley just before the hause.
Rannerdale is a beautiful little valley and in spring is carpeted with bluebells.
A reminder that autumn is just around the corner as the rowan berries are ripening and the bracken is going brown in places.
Oh well it was a lovely afternoon , the company was good and I got to practice with the new camera.

Panasonic G2

2010-08-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

Well I'm still coming to grips with the new camera. My 6MP Pentax istds has served me well but thought I'd try something a a little lighter and more modern so bought a Panasonic G2. I find it easy to use inside when I can read all the screens, but outside it is difficult to see. Similarly the info in the view finder is difficult to focus on when wearing glasses.

We have not been out for a while so decided on a short training walk up Eycott Hill from the Mungrisedale road. This is an interesting area geologically. Various volcanic rocks lie on the Skiddaw slate and are overlain by the carboniferous deposits. The grass was long and wet and we were bitten by clegs. There was an absence of sheep and lots of wild flowers. Maybe the sheep are managed here?
I think this is campanula rotundifolia. A white version. Alba?

Had the usual cup of tea on the top and watched a big shower just miss us.

We were a bit worried about some cows in the fields below but they did not move. We have had a herd stampede towards us in the past so were a little nervous.

Well I'd better get back to that incredibly complicated instruction book....

Too Busy

2010-07-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well the summer is whizzing past in a blur of commitments and DIY. We did manage one night in the tent last month. The evening was well on when we were finally walking up Deepdale after leaving the car at Bridgefoot.

We were hoping to camp in Link Cove. This is a beautiful place and if the beck closest to Greenhow End is followed up past the waterfall there is a lovely slab with the water running down the edge. After weeks of little rain we decided to carry water up from the main beck just in case. As it happens there was still a trickle flowing. The places to camp were limited as any flat ground was boggy. luckily we found a place that , although not flat, had a super view and sun rise into the tent door.

After our usual breakfast of pre made weetabix alpen and powdered milk we were off up the back of the cove onto Greenhow End. There was no one on the summit of Fairfield and we met only one on the summit of St Sunday crag.

A descent to the valley was made via Gavel Pike and Lord's Seat.

Some of the rest of my time has been spent converting a Citreon Relay panel van into a camper van . Before :-
After:-

Eskdale Backpack

2010-05-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

Went for a 2 night backpack , starting Friday night . Zoomed home from work , got ready, no time for tea so I stopped at Whitehaven Morrisons for chicken tikka and naan. Consequently I was quite late parking at the cattle grid lay-by above the road end for Brotherikeld. Always slightly worrying leaving car for 2 nights, especially when its the only one there. Walk went via Tow House and Scale gill to a shelf above High Scarth Crag. A longish walk in the dark to find water that looked drinkable was needed as I forgot to fill the Platypus earlier. I awoke the next morning to a grey start.
A breakfast of crushed oatybix and dried milk saw me away and over the col to the Great Moss. The weather started to clear so I decided on Scafell Pike via Cam Spout.

Instead of heading for Mickledore I went right to look for a previously unvisited tarn. Broadcrag Tarn seems to be just a puddle, but is named on the OS map.

A quick zoom across the tops and I was filling the platypus in the stream in Calf Cove above Esk Hause. A dinner of rice , oatybix and chocolate was had on Pike de Bield after dropping down from Esk Pike.

After dinner I dropped down to Lingcove Beck below Bowfell. I just got the tent up at 4pm when the wind and rain arrived . So instead of a balmy evening looking at the view I was confined to the Hillleberg for 14 hours. I spent the first few hours making tea and cooking stew.

Sunday was a better day and I walked out over the beautiful ridge of Hard Knott and Border End.

This must be the most beautiful place in England...... The car was still there and knowing that the Laal Ratty station cafe opened at 10 o 'clock I was in the door at 10 seconds past ordering the best bacon sandwich this side of Pluto.

Eskdale

2010-04-18T14:09:00.001-07:00

Much colder today, glad I did not get around to retiring the Paramos. Went to Eskdale and a short walk to Stony Tarn. Just getting over a cold so it was far enough.
After an ice cream that must of had gold in it at Boot we headed for a look at Ravenglass.

Scoat Tarn and Red Pike

2010-04-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

Went for a walk last weekend. The first time in a while as we went to Cornwall at Easter in the camper van. I never want to see another cream tea or pasty again. Despite climbing Red Pike at least 4 times and visiting Scoat Tarn at least twice I had never walked up Nether Beck. So last weekend I parked on the shores of Wastwater and followed the dale up.

It was warmer than I'd probably been since last year. I had to unzip the vents on the Paramo trousers. Luckily I'd put suntan cream on as I burn easily. Scoat Tarn was better than I remembered it. It was raining on previous occasions.

After eating a few sandwiches I headed up through the crags directly to the summit of Red Pike.

From the summit I headed down the unnamed comb to Low Tarn. I could not resist walking through the odd snow patch.

I wandered down past Low Tarn and photographed the south summit of red Pike from the pools before descending Black Beck and the walk back to the car.

Well if it continues this warm I will have to retire my Paramo trousers until Autumn and dig out the Tilley hat and Innov8 Terrocs.

November Floods

2010-03-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

Saturday started off wet and I had work to do on the camper van in the afternoon. So I decided to have a look at the bridge situation in Workington. Both road bridges acroos the Derwent are out of action. There is a temporary foot bridge and coming shortly a temporary road bridge.

To get from the houses on the other side to the town at this side is about 16 miles.

The next bridge up was the cycle and footpath route across to town.

And finally the road bridge that did not collapse but has a serious sag and big chunk missing.

The following pictures show the bright side, the new foot crossing and the almost complete road crossing.

Helvellyn

2010-03-20T01:20:00.000-07:00

It has taken a while to post this as I have had an upset stomach this week and not much interest. It looks like this could be the last of the deep snow as it has turned very mild this week and there has been considerable rain. So last weekend we parked at Dunmail Raise and accended Raise Beck. As we got higher the beck disappeared under the snow drifts.

Although milder than of late it felt very cold in a biting wind. We paused at the hause on 574m to photograph Grisedale Tarn before ascending straight up to the post on the end of Dollywaggon Pike.

The snow was deeper up here so we paused to don crampons and swap the trekkjng poles for ice axes. At one stage we were 'checked' by 2 mountain rescuers who were similarly attired. They mentioned seeing people sliding down hill on all fours wearing trainers.

We only stayed briefly at the summit as it was difficult to get out of the wind as the shelter was snowed over. The top had some cornices and the trig point was three quarters burried.

On the way back we had a closer look at the plateau edge and the views across to Fairfield.

We descended down the shallow gill on the south west of Dollywaggon, across Willie Wife Moor and down Reggle Knott. I have always found this a much easier descent than the zig zags down to Grizedale Tarn and the erroded path down Raise Beck.

One Week Later

2010-03-02T13:32:00.000-08:00

A lot more snow had fallen on Friday and it seemed to be a nice day as I headed for the car park. A lower snow level meant I would not have as far to walk back to the car at the end of the day.

I put the skins on straight away and headed up the fell.

Unfortunately the snow was totally different. The week before it was dry and frosty but today it was deep, soft and wet. The weather closed in. At first it was possible to orient yourself as there were features above the snow.

Later after skiing on bearings I could not tell if I was skiing up or down. There were no features just white. Somewhere near the top of Stybarrow Dodd I decided to quit and just follow my ski tracks back down. Eventually I emerged from the clouds and sat on a rock to eat my sandwiches.

With a thin covering of snow and slush on the path it was possible to ski back to the Old Coach Road. It was just a short walk back to the car park and off to Keswick for coffee.

Ski Tour

2010-02-21T09:21:00.000-08:00

When an uncle died in the early 80s I was asked if I wanted a gold watch to remember him by. I opted for cross country skis. These were bought as a package from a shop in Newcastle and had a fish scale bottom. The theory was you could glide forwards but not back. I remember doing the Dodds a number of times and they worked well on relatively flat terrain. These skiis were about 7 feet long and stopping and turning were almost impossible ( for me). I decided to learn to ski properly as soon as I could afford it and to get proper touring skis.

Stybarrow Dodd and Great Dodd

So eventually I got some ordinary skis and used to go camping at Aviemore during Feb half term. This lead to Snowcoach holidays at Brides le Bain in the French Alps. The dream of ski touring was still in my mind. Two things seemed against me, the incredible cost of the boots , skis and bindings and the fact that I was never going to be a good skier. I could do a red run on a good day and that was about it. 3 years ago I bought some cheapish touring skis off ebay and some touring bindings. For 2 seasons I just used them as downhill skis. Then in January there were some second hand Scarpa touring boots on ebay and last week I got the skins . Ready to rock 25 yrs later!

Lake District Ski Club run on Raise from White Stones.

0830 Im tramping acroos the moor from Red Moss. The snow looks good high up but as can be seen above the level is quite high. Put the skins on at about 5oom and ascend Hart Side. Skins were brilliant, you can go up quite steep hills. They dont glide on the front stroke as cross x country skis do, at least mine don't. So I accended Stybarrow Dodd. Took off the skins and skied down to the tow on Raise.

No tripod so best I could manage.

Top of ski tow , Raise.

A 10 minute walk from the top of the tow takes you to the summit . The views were superb. The photo below shows someone using a kite to snowboard.

The top of the west face of Raise had superb snow and I managed some good turns. I did this run 3 times, using the lift to take me back up, before the long slog over Stybarrow Dodd.

Looking back towards Watson's Dodd.

When I got to the top of Great Dodd I finished off the tea in the flask and took off the skins for the final run down to Matterdale Common.

Shelter on Great Dodd

It was along walk back to the car with the heavy skis. It was a great day out, the only down side is that the day after I can hardly move as I'm so stiff.

One night backpack.

2010-02-16T12:02:00.001-08:00

I got dropped off at the Thirlmere car park. It was a lovely mild day and I did most of the walk in my smartwool base layer. There was a steep hard packed snow slope on the path to the right of Brown Cove. Everyone stopped here to don crampons. There was a young lad and his dad trying to climb this without ice axe or crampons and with trainers on their feet. They were going a few yards and then slipping back. Assuming they climbed this slope I have no idea how they could descend it later in the day. An off duty mountain rescue bod happened to be there and I left him as he went across to give them advice. Im guessing he sent them back as they never appeared on the top.

Striding Edge looked spectacular.

The view as I ate a couple of sarnies. I sat in my base layer. Unusually there was no wind.

I left the summit later than planned as 3 blokes were preparing to ski down the face. The drop off from the cornice looked vertical to me. They all got down safely.

After the excitement I headed off over Lower Man towards Whiteside Bank.

By the time I got to Watson's Dodd I was tired, it was late, and I had no water left.

The wind had picked up a little from the north east so I pitched the tent in a slight hollow to the south west of Great Dodd summit. I figured this would give some shelter. I had donned my Montane Litespeed as I put up the tent as the temperature was now dropping.

No liquid water meant using the Caldera Cone to melt snow. I had brought a spare carrier bag and filled it from a drift behind the tent. This meant I could lie in the sleeping bag and keep warm whilst making cups of tea and cooking the evening meal.

I had dehydrated a beef stew and some rice along with a portion of spicey tomato sauce. I heated these in the MSR titanium pot and then put them in a bowl in the the home made cosey. By using a bowl I was then able to continue making cups of tea whilst the meal cooked itself.

http://image.bizrate.co.uk/resize?sq=60&uid=881074048 These microwave bowls weigh hardly any thing and can be bought at any supermarket.

I was now wearing Paramo trousers, smartwool base, Rab fleece and Rab Photon Hoodie with my old Lowe mountain cap. I had read in TGO that a bivvy bag would upgrade a 3 season sleeping bag and keep it dry from condensation drips. As my Quantum 400 was a 3 season I tried this system. I can report that it does not work. There was no condensation on the Akto inner as it all condensed on the inside of my bivvy and gradually made the sleeping bag damp. I survived the night but if it had been a multi day journey I would have been getting into a cold damp bag the next night.

The next morning was a cold damp affair. I poured previously melted snow onto crushed Weetabix, Alpen and powdered milk for a hearty breakfast. Packed up, and walked to Keswick via Clough Head , St Johns in the Vale and Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Brown Cove, Helvellyn.

2010-02-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

Bob.

Greg, Tris and Bob went to Brown Cove. We think we climbed Left Branch gully but it may have been Central Gully. My guide book is old and does not have a diagram. The other climbers there did not seem to know either as we got two different versions from them. Any way we had a great day out . We were in the gully for 5 hours and it was -6 celsius. We were frozen by the time we got to the top. We were a rope of three so this made for slowness , as well as waiting for other parties above. Bob got a cut lip as chunks of ice kept flying down from above.

Not being a hard core ice climber I found this bit the most difficult.

Bob heads for the sun.

Tris belayed.

The top pitch.

Greg in the sun at last.

The route.

Snow Still Here

2010-01-25T11:55:00.000-08:00

The snow has retreated up the fellsides but there's still deep drifts. It was colder on Suday when we climbed Ullscarf from Thirlmere via Harrop Tarn and Ullscarf Gill. I love the walk across the Thirlmere flank with the stream for company . As we gained altitude it disappeared beneath the snow, choked with drifts. Lower down the snow would not support our weight and we sank to our knees at every step. Further up the snow was firmer. We arrived at the deserted summit in thick mist with a light snow falling. Careful navigation was needed to avoid Standing Crag (above) and drop down into the Blea Water basin. It was then a simple matter to reach the col and drop down to the other side of Harrop Tarn.

Snow is Melting

2010-01-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

Climbing steel Fell on Sunday. The snow was still deep in places but was very wet. We were going to come back down the valley but it looked to be full of slushy deep snow so we came back down the ridge.

Skiing down into Keppel Cove

2010-01-17T14:27:00.000-08:00

On one of the coldest days this year we went to the ski run on Raise. After a few runs we skiied down into Keppel Cove. From there we managed to ski all the way back to the car which was parked at Glennridding.

From Pic des Trois Seigneurs, Ariege and Maladetta

2009-10-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

Pyrennees in September

2009-10-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Odessa, northern Spain.

Scafell Pike

2009-10-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

In May I camped below Scafell Pike and climbed to the top in the morning. It was very windy and cold on top but Summer like in the valley.

2009-10-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

In May we walked up to Styhead Tarn at midnight. By the time we got there it was raining and windy so had a bit of an epic putting up the new tent for the first time. Yes I know you are supposed to practice in the garden first. Did n't have time.

2009-10-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

I managed anight camping in April under Merrick. What a place, finding a dry spot was difficult. It must be one of the boggiest places around. At least there were no midges at this time of the year. Last time I came here in summer I was eaten alive. Got up next morning and climbed Merrick.

Cheap tents

2009-01-26T09:36:00.000-08:00

Last year was a bad year for me so I hope to do more this year. The Field and Trek shop closed in Carlisle and I got a Hilleberg with 25% off. Roll on spring.

Camp Kitchen 2

2008-04-13T01:21:00.001-07:00

The stew is in the bowl in the cosey. The beef stew was made at home using lean mince, peas , carrots, onions etc then dehydrated and frozen until required. I now use a different pot with the above system and the weights are as follows :

Cosey 30g
Bowl and lid 20g
AGG stove 16g
Titanium Caldera 40g
MSR kettle 125g

Camp Kitchen

2008-04-13T01:04:00.001-07:00

I have been experimenting with different set ups in the camp kitchen department. Last year I tried using just the titanium mug approach and carried nothing else. I found this to be very light but also annoying. The cup was small and whilst it was in its pot cosey cooking I could not make a cup of tea or coffee. Next I tried a small plastic bowl and put that in its own cosey. the picture to the left shows the bowl in its cosey. The cooking pot to the left is the Heiny pot from the USA with a home made cone shaped windshield.

The bowl was from Morrisons and is microwaveable and comes with a lid. It is 1 litre and weighs 66 g. I have recently replaced this as Morrisons sell a bowl in their plastic food bag department that weighs only 20 g, I think its made by Baco. I can now cook a meal put it in the bowl in the pot cosey and still have a pan for hot drinks. This for an extra 20 g.

Solar Tent

2008-04-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

I saw Andy Howell's review so bought this last year and went camping in Sept high on the Corridor Route on Scafell Pike. It with stood a tremendous storm and we retreated to Seathwaite in the morning. It also withstood heavy snow during Easter high in the Lakes. We do find it a bit narrow as we had the old design Nallo 3 before this and it was like a palace. Having your own entrance is a boon especially at my age when you have to nip out in the middle of the night. I dont know if its crucial but i find it difficult to get the flysheet exactly central on the poles and it interferes with the zip at one or other of the side.

Other stuff

2008-04-04T00:44:00.000-07:00

I have just been looking at e-bothies blog. I would recommend it. He has some great stuff on weather and climbing the Mattwehorn. I occasionally do some mild climbing with my son and his friends you can view the videos here http://www.youtube.com/user/alancharles82 I am the one driving the car.

2008-04-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

Caldera Cone

2008-04-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Ive been out over Easter in the Lakes and the caldera worked well. Ive got the titanium model with the MSR kettle. I did find that because there were two of us we used far more meths than advertised in the TGO. 250 ml for two nights. Mainly drinks and one evening meal.