Lake District – Wild Places

3 Peaks

26 hours, 3 countries, 3 peaks. 23 miles and over 3000m of ascent. 2 hours sleep and a lot of driving……Why exactly did I sign up to this again? I joined Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) as a trainee back in March 2021 and their annual fundraising event is a NationalContinue reading “3 Peaks”

Upper Eskdale

So the blog returns after a 5 month absence……. The first backpack of 2021 was to Upper Eskdale on a busy Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May. For the past few years I’ve tried to get away once a month but Covid lockdowns have made that a bit tricky this year. I’ve alsoContinue reading “Upper Eskdale”

Skew Gill and Custs Gully

The current wintry conditions bring back memories of Scottish winter climbing when winters were snowy and cold. Here is the story of a winter trip to the Lakes with my brother Jim in the days when I still did a bit of winter climbing. It had snowed and the Cumbrian mountains were white once more.Continue reading “Skew Gill and Custs Gully”

Hindscarth and Dale Head in the rain

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

Gillercombe Buttress and other wanderings

Gillercombe Buttress and other wanderings: Another visit to an iron age hill fort this week, this time Carrock Fell in the northern Lakes with Steve. We had a pleasant wander up to the top and then along the ridge to High Pike. Carrock Fell is a bit of a geological gem. The hill itself isContinue reading “Gillercombe Buttress and other wanderings”

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”