Intake Ridge and Doves Nest Crags scramble, 7th July 2013.

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Mixed conditions on Striding Edge, 20th January 2013.



The forecast seemed to suggest deteriorating weather conditions in Glencoe, so we journeyed south to enjoy "slightly" better weather on our round of Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. The ridge wasn't completely covered so it was a choice of "crampons or no crampons". We chose the latter on the grounds we would end up on our backsides with them on.
A bitterly cold day, in fact too cold to sit for long at the summit shelter on Helvellyn. The descent of Swirral Edge was also a bit wild at times but soon eased off. Not as busy as a summers day, but still a few folk about , plus we saw a couple of teams(climbing) top out on Helvellyn. 

Quite a bleak looking day ahead of us but at least we could make out where we were going! 

Not quite enough snow on the ridge to warrant crampons, but extra care was needed in any case.

   

Wild camp - Dalehead Tarn, 14th July 2012.

Myself, Lorna, Ruth and Ian drove down to Skelgill, to the west of Derwentwater near Keswick, to do the shortish walk in over Catbells to Dalehead Tarn. This would be Lorna's first real wild camp carrying gear, so it had to be a relatively easy one!

After crossing over Maiden Moor (great views over to the Scafell range), we dropped down over High Spy and Eel Crags to Dalehead Tarn, our camp spot for the night. Unfortuneately the sheepfolds were full with tents, although the main one was wasted by a group of guys having a fire in the middle, instead of using it as shelter! So after a bit of hunting around we managed to find a spot relatively sheltered from the incoming rain. We even managed to light a fire briefly before the rocks we built it on exploded with the heat!

After a reasonable night, we had breakfast, struck camp and climbed up over Dalehead at 753m, and followed Littledale Edge, North West, passing Hindscarth to the right on our way. After crossng over Robinson, we dropped down to Newlands Hause and had a bite to eat at the foot of Moss Force. I would be possible to drop down to Buttermere and camp there for the night as a three day walk. 

Looking across towards High Stile and Red Pike above Buttermere.

Lunch at the foot of Moss Force at Newlands Hause, before turning North East and heading over Knott Rigg and Ard Crags.

Lorna on the short but steep climb up Knott Rigg with the Buttermere valley behind.

Ian and Ruth on Knott Rigg, with Causey Pike (i think?) behind.

Looking South East from near Knott Rigg, back over to High Spy on the left and Dalehead on the right. Dalehead Tarn, out of view, sits right in the middle of the two.

Descending Red Screes after Ard Crags, and looking into the Newlands Valley as we head back to Skelgill and the car.   

Dow Crag from Torver, 24th June 2012

We managed to get a last minute booking for a cottage at Water Yeat, through Coppermines Cottages based in Coniston, hoping we had made the right choice with this summer's dodgy weather. Our previous week when we were up at Pitlochry was wet for the most part. I had wanted to walk up to Dow Crag for a look prior to hopefully returning later in the year to repeat the climb/scramble (?)  up "Easy Terrace". We parked at Torver and followed the path which loosely followed Crook Gill up past the old mine workings with the flooded gravel pits, and onto the Walna Scar road, before branching off onto the path for Goat Water. At this point the weather turned (as usual this summer) leaving very few photo opportunities due to amount of water lading on us! We made our way round from the coll at the top if the well made path from Goats Water, west and then up and over (south) the summit of Dow Crag.      

Occaisionally we would get a brief gloomy glimpse down one of the big gullies (but which one???), and then it was down to rejoin the Walna Scar road, and then retrace our steps back past the mine workings down to Torver.

As is always the case, we finally saw some of Dow Crag as we we dropped down into Torver. Time for a pint!

Catbells-High Spy-Dalehead Tarn, 12th May 2012.

As Lorna was looking for an "easier" type of walk to continue her very slow rehabilitation back in to hill walking and more, we opted for a route I've often seen on the way to Borrowdale and Scafell. Catbells can be seen as you drive out of Keswick and out to Borrowdale and although not very high, always looked like it would be a walk with some great views. 

We drove out to Portinscale and on to the very small car park at the start of the Catbells route near Skelgill. The long undulating ridge gives you great views over Derwent Water, Keswick and beyond. In fact skiddaw and Blencathra were also visible the day we were there.  

A minor challenge for Lorna was the scrambly section on Maiden Moor, easy for the rest of us, but tricky when you still have a stiff and still painfull ankle.   

Looking back to Skiddaw in the distance.

As we made the top of High Spy, we could see the crags below Dalehead with Hindscarth beyond. From here we descended through Eel Crags to cross the stream and over to Dalehead Tarn.

Looking back to Eel Crags before crossing over to Dalehead.

At Dalehead Tarn there are several walled shelters which seem suitable for a spot of wild camping. Sadly there was some rubbish stuffed into the walls and a recently left arrangement of two fresh banana skins!
TAKE YOUR RUBBISH HOME!

After lunch, we headed north, descending along the path following Newlands Beck, which itself has loads of tempting picnic spots next to several waterfalls en route.

Looking back up Newlands Beck with Dalehead Crags on the right and High Spy and Eel Crags on the left. From here, it is a straightforward walk back through Little Town and back to the car park at Skelgill.

Welcome

Hi there and welcome to my new page about the hills and mountains of this fine island that myself, my wife and various friends have "scaled" over the years. Hopefully you'll find the pics and info usefull should you visit them yourself! I will gradually add more stuff including trips to Italy , Austria, Wales, The Lake District and of course Scotland.