A wet and at times windy walk today, but the mountains are amazing in all weathers if you can somehow stay warm and dry(ish). We started from the small car park near Littletown which is of course where Beatrix Potter based her story of Mrs Tiggywinkle. After passing the small Newlands Church we attempted toContinue reading “Hindscarth and Dale Head in the rain”
Author Archives: alpinejane
Helvellyn and Blencathra
Not on the same day obviously. That would be a bit much, even for me. I’ve been up Helvellyn many times, usually by the same routes, so it is always good to explore new ground. We started from Patterdale and walked up Grisedale as far as the Ruthwaite climbing hut which is owned by OutwardContinue reading “Helvellyn and Blencathra”
Covid angst
Bit of a departure from the mountain theme this week. I won’t do it too often, I promise 😀. So here we go again. Covid cases rising, the threat of more lockdown measures and the prospect of a winter of uncertainty. I could make a lot of negative comments about the incompetence of those paidContinue reading “Covid angst”
Sleeping under the stars
I returned to Ennerdale to walk the south side of the Ennerdale Horseshoe that I had cut short a few weeks previously due to bad weather. I parked at Bowness Knott and walked along the shores of Ennerdale Water before crossing the River Liza, walking up through the trees and eventually along the long, broadContinue reading “Sleeping under the stars”
A eulogy
My dad died in February. He was 91. Both facts continue to surprise me. We all thought he would live forever and he never seemed to get old. The grief gets easier with each day and now, 8 months later, I can reflect on his life. He was born in 1928 in Warrington, the youngestContinue reading “A eulogy”
Thornthwaite Beacon and High Street
A less adventurous walk this week but no less enjoyable for that and I was glad to give my knees a rest after the battering they received last weekend. We started from Cow Bridge near Brotherswater and after walking through the small village of Hartsop turned right over the stream and followed Pasture Beck upContinue reading “Thornthwaite Beacon and High Street”
The Mamores
The Mamores. 10 Munros, 3400m of ascent, 21 miles, 2 wild camps and perfect weather. Narrow ridges, rocky summits and views that stretch for miles under a deep blue sky. Scotland at its very best. The best trips are often those planned at the last minute. The weather forecast was good, I had a clientContinue reading “The Mamores”
Ennerdale
Ennerdale is one of the more remote Lakeland valleys and it has a distinctive character of its own with a sense of tranquillity, ruggedness and wildness more akin to Scotland. It’s one of my favourite valleys along with Eskdale. Six months ago I backpacked round the Ennerdale Horseshoe by myself to celebrate my 47th birthday.Continue reading “Ennerdale”
Wild camping with children
Children love wild camping. Camp next to a stream in the middle of nowhere and they are happy for hours. Until the midges come out anyway. The key to success is to choose a suitable camping spot with an interesting but not too long walk to it, good weather and a lack of midges, butContinue reading “Wild camping with children”
Galloway
A short visit to Gatehouse of Fleet in Galloway. No high mountains to climb, probably just as well as I am accompanied by three young girls and an elderly dog. Despite this, the Fleet Valley always feels wild and peaceful, a hidden gem. Very few people visit here and the birds and animals thrive. IContinue reading “Galloway”
