Lakes Cave option

When the weather in the lakes is bad, it's really bad. So tents are often not an option, too much noise. Youth hostel? Warm but too safe. How about a cave then? If you can find one, then it's almost perfect. Woof Cave is about 300m up the side of Rossthwaite fell, about one hour walk from Stonethwaite. The side of the fell has numerous boulders that have split from the crag (Cam Crag) above. Amidst these boulders lies the cave. We took a bit of time to find the entrance. A chimney tells you that you're in the right place. A very narrow hole down didn't seem right. We were just about to try from a different angle, but then I spotted the entrance covered with rocks.


You needed to crawl through the entrance, but once in, it opens out to an oblong room about 15 feet long and 5 1/2 feet high. There had been many previous visitors and some basic carpentry means there is a bedding area at one end. At the other end, there is a small cooking area and fireplace. It was a hell of a lot warmer than outside and plenty of space for two people.

Kinder's extra protection

I haven't been up to the Peak district this year, but one of its main areas Kinder Scout has received some good news. Kinder Scout will be designated a national nature reserve. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/11/kinder-scout-grouse-moor-protected

Wondrous Wasdale

Another classic weekend in the lakes. Having been trekking in South America, Asia and Europe, I've seen some amazing scenery but the Lake District and in particular Wasdale in many ways surpasses anywhere else. I think it's maybe the simplicity and tranquility of the place. The long Wastwater lake is a main feature of the valley but the steep fells of Great Gable and Kirk Fell are mesmerising. In the late afternoon, early autumn sun, the sides of the fells were deep browns and greens. And overlooking the whole area is the two peaks of the Scafell Massif, the highest pair of mountains in England.

But first I completed a trail race in Rivington, near Bolton, Lancashire. Good course around a reservoir with plenty of variation in the trails. Wasdale is a good hour and half drive from the M6, quite near the coast, so only for the committed. The Irish sea coastline's most famous landmark is possibly the nuclear power station Sellafield. But the mountains of the lakes have been here for centuries and are not bothered by this new radioactive eye sore. One of the best ways to experience Wasdale is a day's circuit above the valley.

Behind the Wasdale Head inn and across a stream, lies an upward path. This path follows the stream into a large bowl, just below Pillar. The trail becomes more basic and involves a steep incline. This takes you to 600m or so. I always like to get these ascents over and done with. Once at the top you join the path that comes up from the other side of Yewbarrow. This path is the start of the horseshoe. The first peak that you reach is Red Pike then straight on from this you find a long fence and Scoat Fell. There are great views of Ennerdale Water from here and the sea. Steeple is a good view point for the lake and valley below.

You then continue towards Pillar through a little dip down 100 metres. Pillar is a great summit. Quite flat but with a full 360 degree range of views over Scafell and west to the sea. You then carry on towards Kirk Fell. The path up is very rocky and almost a scramble.

This takes you to Great Gable and the same trek I did in June. The slow walk down from Gable in the late afternoon sun was stunning. A pint in the Wasdale Head inn was the perfect finish. I'll be back again soon.

Priest's Hole

This weekend we stayed in an excellent camping spot - Priest's Hole just below Dove Crag on the eastern fells in the Lake District. It is more of a large overhang than a cave. But it is totally sheltered from the wind and has great views of the valley below. The hole sleeps up to 11 or 12 people. It is a regular spot for hikers and a good alternative to the expensive and rule excessive camp site below. Previous guests have left roll mats and basic supplies so if you forget anything, you'll be ok. The trail up to the cave is a little tricky but worth it.

Welsh 3000s challenge....not quite

This Saturday, the longest day of the year, I attempted the Welsh 3000ers challenge. The idea is to reach the summit of Wales' 15 3000ft plus peaks in a day. Unfortunately extremely bad weather, some poor navigation and admittedly unpreparedness meant that I was only able to complete 8 of the peaks. Having set off a 545am from Nant Peris, I first headed up Snowdon but lost time on this ascent as my partner wasn't that used to the conditions. The whole of Snowdonia was covered in cloud which meant there extra stress and concentration involved in map reading and many trails were very slippery. Coming down Crib Goch, after Snowdon was incredibly nerve wracking. Very slippery rocks with thick cloud all around. I took later wrong turns off Glyder Fach and also after completing some of the Carnedds. I decided to abort the full challenge at about 5pm. Partly because I simply wasn't enjoying myself and also as the bad weather meant that day light would be reduced. Still here is a list of the peaks reached in the day: Snowdon, Garnedd Ugain, Crib Goch, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach, Tryfan, Carnedd Llewelyn and Carnedd Dafydd. I will definitely be attempting this again next year. http://www.welsh3000s.co.uk/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_3000s

Wasdale Horseshoe

After completing the Garburn trail race near Windermere, I arrived at Wasdale after a longer than expected drive. But over two high passes - including Wrynose pass and some ideas for future treks. The fell race was really good. The course was shortened as the high pass had snow apparently. We didn't run that high but there was still very strong wind and rain about 3/4 way through. The course was mostly flat but had a nice downhill finish above Staveley. I stayed at the National Trust campsite and wasn't treking and trying to save as much energy as possible for the following day.

The horseshoe starts with a very steep climb up Kirk Fell, up nearly 800 metres. This took nearly two hours and was like walking up a set of steps. From the cairn at the top, a trail heads almost due east down a few hundred metres and then up to Great Gable. This was quite a steep summit, very rocky and with great views looking down above Wasdale. The cloud moved in, so I wasn't sure if the next summit would be clear. After a steep descent for 400 metres or so, you reach a crossroads with several options. To head up to Scafell, you take a southern heading path that slowly climbs. You can take a slow ascent around the front of Scafell, but there is also a good scramble beside Broad Crag. This is the quickest route up. Scafell Pike was busy as usual, so I headed to Scafell, a peak I hadn't been up before.

You need to descend 200 metres east of Mickledore, then you find a steep gully with a small stream flowing down it. This involves a bit of scrambling then a trail heads to the summit up a steep loose path. It's quite steep but fairly direct, so you reach the top quicker than you expect. The summit of Scafell is great. Amazing views of Wasdale and Burnmoor Tarn. It was quite clear so good views of the sea and the Isle of Man. An easy trail leads off the mountain to the west down to Wasdale - more sensational views!

Three Peaks - box ticked!

This weekend I completed the famous Three Peaks Challenge of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours. Our final time was 23 hours, 15 minutes. A good achievement, but it's as much a logistical challenge as a physical one. My team could of been fitter, but we had a fast vehicle and good driver, didn't delay on the transitions and kept the pace steady. The conditions were absolutely perfect, although there was plenty of cloud/snow up Nevis and the Scafell ascent was in fierce late afternoon sun. But there was no rain, little wind and the sunset over Wasdale was totally stunning.

The final ascent of Snowdon was at 1am and we summited at roughly 3. The sun was rising in the distance, an incredible finish. So box ticked, 3 peaks done. Next time, I'd like to try and push it and record a good time. I think I could have completed in at least an hour and half quicker if with a team of similar fitness.

Still an amazing 24 hours and unbeatable scenery.

Two days in Snowdonia!

Another great weekend up in north west Wales, taking in some spectacular views, rugged mountains and atrocious weather. We arrived in Nant Peris about 12:30 Friday night. Found the basic campsite in the heart of Snowdonia, pitched in the middle and crashed. Probably not the best location, as through the night we were pounded by strong winds and heavy rain. Tents were horizontal but we got enough sleep.



So setting off Saturday lunch time, the weather had become even worse, but we thought we'd give it a crack. Above the campsite at Nant Peris, a small road leads to a series of footpaths, below Elidir Fawh. The start of the trail is boggy and wet most of the time and after the latest deluge was pretty bad. So we headed straight up to the summit. Strong westerly winds and rain pounded us all the way up to 924m. From Elidir Fawh, you can walk north and follow a horseshoe round in the cloud. This section was quite sheltered from the wind, but visibility was no more than 15-20 metres (see above). After completing the horseshoe you head south and towards Foel Goch and Y Garn. At this point, soaked and blasted by the wind, we were considering our bail out options. But all of a sudden... the strong winds blew away the cloud and blue skies emerged. Finally some views in Snowdonia! We summited Y Garn - another 3000s'er, where you get great views of Llyn Ogwen. Then took a slow descent to a quiet tarn - Llyn Y Cwm - a possible swimming spot. From here you take a long walk back to Nant Peris down a rocky and very green path. Lots of beaut waterfalls and plenty of flopping out in the warm sunshine - an amazing contrast from three hours earlier!


Day 2 - Tryfan

Today was quite cloudy and threatening drizzle, but it seemed to be holding off. After advice from a few regular climbers, we headed up the north trail of Tryfan. There are numerous options ranging from scrambles to grade 1 climbs. The main trail isn't very obvious, but if you head slightly east of the peak, the scrambling is easier. It took roughly three hours to hit the top. There are two summits - the southern one hosts Adam and Eve. These are two stones - remarkably positioned on the top. You can jump between the two to gain the "Freedom of Tryfan", but at 915m, we just settled for standing on one each... Still views at the top were sensational and very mystical with cloud moving around.

Three day trek in the lakes.......

Just completed a cracking three day trek around the Lake District. Took in some amazing scenery, starting at Patterdale then ascending Helvellyn and Scafell Pike.

Day 1

Starting roughly fifteen minutes walk outside Patterdale, due to parking restrictions, I accessed the mountains through Grassthwaite Howe. A slow trail led up to the Hole in the Wall, just south of Birkhouse Moor. It is only when you reach the top of this trail at about 650m that you can take in decent views. Primarily Hevellyn further up, but also looking back over Ullswater. Helvellyn can be ascended from its north or south. I took the northerly trail up Swirral Edge. Quite steep towards the mount and requiring a bit of scrambling. The top of Helvelyn is a large plateau. From there I headed south towards Nethermost Pike, then past High Crag and Dollywaggon Pike. A steep descent towards Grisedale Tarn has superb views westwards over Wythburn and Thirlmere reservoir. After walking around the tarn, you take another long descent down Great Tongue, south west until you hit the northern fringes of Grassmere. That descent killed my legs, so after crossing the A591, I headed up to Greenburn Bottom. A low set valley with a strong stream through it, this was a great spot to camp.

Day 2

After a stormy and wet night, I set off early for what looked like an epic day of trekking. I took the easier option to leave Greenburn, ascending slowly then climbing up on to a ridge where there was great views of Grassmere Common. I had camped at 250m or so, so spent the first couple of hours of the trek walking uphill. This led to High Raise at 762m, where there was great views north toward... and back towards Helvellyn. A long pass south west takes you to Tongue Head and Angle Tarn. This is a beautiful spot and ideal for a good break before the ascent into Scafell range.

From here I headed up to Scafell, taking about an hour and fifteen. The last time I was up Scafell, cloud descended and all I could see was white mist. But although plenty of cloud came over, there were still cracking views of Great Gable and Wasdale.






After this I had to take a long trek back the way I came. No other options back towards Grassmere. The walk to the top of High Raise was a killer, but I ended up camped just below Wythburn Fells, quite close to the previous night. After 10 hours walking, I collapsed.

Day 3

So the final stretch and after another night of heavy wind and rain, I left early. Having walked further down this valley and then over the A591, I headed back towards Grisedale Tarn. From here it was an hour walk back to Patterdale, past Grisedale Forest.

http://www.mountainhiking.org.uk/england-wales/glenridding/index.shtml

England's South Downs gain national park status

Hundreds of square miles of woodland, rolling chalk uplands and river valleys across southern England will be made a national park, the government announced today. The new South Downs national park will spread across Sussex and Hampshire thanks to a decision that comes more than 60 years after the area was recommended for park status, and a decade since the government first announced its intention to designate it as such. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/31/south-downs-national-park