alpinejane

Adders

We found an adder yesterday – or rather Seth nearly trod on it. He came running over the heather shouting loudly that he’d seen a snake. We went back to have a look and sure enough, there was a large, beautiful, female adder. She didn’t seem particularly alarmed to see us and slithered slowly overContinue reading “Adders”

Welsh hill forts, Blencathra and falling

Welsh hill forts, Blencathra and falling. A busy week in the outdoors this week. Wednesday was a short walk in the Clwydian Hills along Offas Dyke path with my daughter, Hannah. I come from Chester and went up Moel Famau numerous times in my childhood but wanted to avoid the crowds this time. So weContinue reading “Welsh hill forts, Blencathra and falling”

Cuillin Ridge, May 2001

Cuillin Ridge, May 2001 – Still waiting for news of my new nephew and still in need of distractions, so here is an article I wrote for the Durham University Mountaineering Club journal in 2001 following a successful traverse of the Cuillin Ridge with my brother Jim in a year not unlike this year….. TheContinue reading “Cuillin Ridge, May 2001”

Scrambling with children

Scrambling with children – I’m sat at home on a lovely summer’s day looking after 3 young girls and waiting for news of my new nephew, so I thought I’d distract myself and regale you with a few stories about scrambling with my daughter, Hannah. Children love to scramble and my daughter is no exception. Continue reading “Scrambling with children”

In the footsteps of Bentley Beetham

Cam Crag Ridge is one of the best grade 2 scrambles in the Lakes. Hard enough to be interesting but not hard enough that I end up wishing I’d brought a rope and someone to hold the other end. Quick to dry and good solid rock on a broad ridge line. It was first climbedContinue reading “In the footsteps of Bentley Beetham”

Haweswater

Haweswater is one of the wilder valleys in the Lakes with the road along the reservoir ending in a small car park amidst towering rocky peaks. There are no facilities other than a smart looking hotel half way along the reservoir, but for me that is part of the charm and it’s one of myContinue reading “Haweswater”

Clouds

Incredible formation of cumulonimbus clouds seen today from the Thelwall Viaduct on the M6. Just shows you don’t have to go off the beaten track to admire nature 😀 Credit for the photo goes to my 9 year old assistant, I was busy driving….

Blencathra

Back to the Lakes for the first time in 3 months, with friend John. Everything looked very green compared to my last visit when there was still snow on the peaks. We seem to have missed spring in the hills this year. I was keen to avoid the busiest routes so we started from MungrisdaleContinue reading “Blencathra”

Thoughts on climbing

Back to Scugdale tonight to try out some new climbing gear and a new way of climbing. Since last week I’d been mulling over the problem of how to reduce risk when climbing alone and I was keen to try out a possible solution. I’d spent the week watching You Tube videos and picking theContinue reading “Thoughts on climbing”

Black Force, Howgills

An enjoyable half day scrambling up Black Force in the western Howgills with my 9 year old daughter, Hannah. The Howgills are mostly rounded and grassy hills, but Black Force is a little more interesting. We parked near to Carlingill Bridge, an early start meaning that we had full choice of parking spaces, and followedContinue reading “Black Force, Howgills”