it certainly wasn't winter yesterday - pouring rain as we got about 1/3 of the way up Creag nan Damh (the westernmost end of the South Glen Shiel ridge) before deciding we had better things to do.
Today the forecast actually gave hope we might be able to get up a hill.....as long as we made a reasonably early start - and were prepared to get snowed on a little in the afternoon. So, we decided to look at Carn Gluasaid; the south end of the Cluanie Horseshoe of peaks. It could be added to lots of other peaks if the weather allowed - or we could use the stalkers path which goes to within 300m of the summit as a quick descent if needed (it was!!).
The parking spot was farther along the road than we had imagined; however just as we got there a group of walkers were departing - possibly people on a winter skills course? The way up the mountain even has a signpost at the start - ironic as the old military road is pretty well obvious!!
The stalkers path leaves the military road after about 1/2 km and wends its way uphill. The path is very well graded and well made (a pleasant contrast to the one we had sploshed up yesterday as well!). Higher up it makes its way through some outcrops before straightening up and climbing onto the plateau. We were grateful for the steps of the other party in front as there were a couple of times where locating the path in the snow was not easy - YEAH WE HAD SOME SNOW UNDERFOOT! In fact conditions got a little testing at the summit of the peak - with the wind coming in and snow being blown across us (and into our faces on the descent). Poor Claire got an introduction in what winter mountaineering in Scotland usually entails!!! She performed really well on the descent - which was done on a mix of compass bearing and following the path for the first few hundred metres until visibility improved, when we could follow the path down. The path was a mix of slippy rocks and lovely easy going; quite a conundrum as crampons would have been good in parts and useless in other parts - we elected not to and probably made the right decision.
No photo's unfortunately; camera is drying out as we speak.....
Friday 30 December 2011
Wednesday 28 December 2011
Quieter day today.....
although the weather is not as bad as was forecast - which was for gusts of 110 mph and lots of snow. The latter fact is a disappointment - there seems to be very little snow on the Glenshiel hills at all - and I doubt its falling as snow on the tops as it does not seem cold enough.
The Glenshiel hills? That is because Claire and I are in Scotland for a few days. We left after work on Boxing Day and drove to Tyndrum - where we'd got a good deal at the lodge. Despite the last part of the journey being through driving rain we made pretty good time and had a meal; a couple of beers and a good sleep.
Waking to a cold(er) and frosty morning we now reaped the benefit of leaving the night before. We elected to climb Meall a' Bhuiridh, the northernmost of the Black Mount hills. It also has the benefit (or not) of being the hill used by the Glencoe Ski centre. This means that it is defaced by ski paraphenalia, but does have a start at over 300m. For unfit types like us, on the first day of our holiday, it was a good choice - it also enabled us to get down early as we had a two hour drive to Glenshiel.
The first part of the ascent is not the greatest as it does follow the ski tow lines pretty much. After about 300m of height gain the path goes right towards pt 749m from which a ridge leads up to the summit. Probably because there were no skiers (and hardly any snow), it actually felt quite quiet.
The view from the top was impressive - the Ben was clear and most of the hills of Lochaber were also. The Easians looked especially good.
Descent was via the same way - with the clouds coming down over the summits and promising snow (which never came); or at least it was until we got down to the half-way point - at which we point we eschewed the path and followed the bike track down. This must be the most difficult; dangerous and badly-designed bike track I have ever seen....it wants to be a high-end downhill course but is SO badly designed it's untrue....
some photo's here: https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/MeallABhuidridh
The Glenshiel hills? That is because Claire and I are in Scotland for a few days. We left after work on Boxing Day and drove to Tyndrum - where we'd got a good deal at the lodge. Despite the last part of the journey being through driving rain we made pretty good time and had a meal; a couple of beers and a good sleep.
Waking to a cold(er) and frosty morning we now reaped the benefit of leaving the night before. We elected to climb Meall a' Bhuiridh, the northernmost of the Black Mount hills. It also has the benefit (or not) of being the hill used by the Glencoe Ski centre. This means that it is defaced by ski paraphenalia, but does have a start at over 300m. For unfit types like us, on the first day of our holiday, it was a good choice - it also enabled us to get down early as we had a two hour drive to Glenshiel.
The first part of the ascent is not the greatest as it does follow the ski tow lines pretty much. After about 300m of height gain the path goes right towards pt 749m from which a ridge leads up to the summit. Probably because there were no skiers (and hardly any snow), it actually felt quite quiet.
The view from the top was impressive - the Ben was clear and most of the hills of Lochaber were also. The Easians looked especially good.
Descent was via the same way - with the clouds coming down over the summits and promising snow (which never came); or at least it was until we got down to the half-way point - at which we point we eschewed the path and followed the bike track down. This must be the most difficult; dangerous and badly-designed bike track I have ever seen....it wants to be a high-end downhill course but is SO badly designed it's untrue....
some photo's here: https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/MeallABhuidridh
Sunday 25 December 2011
No snow at all.
or at least it seemed that way from the top of Beacon Edge this morning. I ran up (jogged slowly would probably be a better description!!) up to Beacon Edge and then picked my way carefully upto the Beacon itself. My excuse for not running all the way up was the extreme slippiness, which happens to be true btw!
It was misty over the Lakes - although none of the promised gales were around; but from what glimpses I could see it would appear that all the snow has gone. Not surprising given how warm it has been here - but oh so disappointing.
With luck Claire and I will get some snow in Scotland (and at least we are likely to be spared the great trudges through calf-deep snow we had last year)...but I am not holding my breath.
Happy christmas all and enjoy the rest of the festive season.
It was misty over the Lakes - although none of the promised gales were around; but from what glimpses I could see it would appear that all the snow has gone. Not surprising given how warm it has been here - but oh so disappointing.
With luck Claire and I will get some snow in Scotland (and at least we are likely to be spared the great trudges through calf-deep snow we had last year)...but I am not holding my breath.
Happy christmas all and enjoy the rest of the festive season.
Sunday 18 December 2011
Finally a new post...
sorry it has been so long; a hard first term at the new school and some not very good weather haven't helped...
Claire and I did go over the Mum and Peter's and go for a walk on Simonside - which involved me having no energy and Claire electing to take half of Northumberland back in her boots!!
Yesterday - was just too tired despite some lovely weather in Penrith - although it was bad on Helvellyn I gather. Today I summoned up a little energy and tried a new (for me) mode of transport.
So; today - the first weekend of the hols for me as school broke on Fri - weird to think I won't be there until late Jan as I start my second school placement on the 4th... As can be seen from the picture below I
decided to go for a quick hour or two on the ski's. Looking at the internet it was clear that the Lake Ski club at Raise was going to be open so I drove off to Glenridding.
As can be seen from the two pictures below - will post the rest later - it was a glorious day and the snow started just above the Mines and Youth Hostel. HORDES (seemingly at least) of people were plodding up the Sticks Path track (which takes one to the ski-tow) so I elected to go a different way and go towards Whiteside (the path that Claire and I had come down as it happened).
Now, to be fair, those whose idea of fun it is to spend obscene amounts of money to go to France, Italy etc to ski would probably not have thought their were loads of people - I don't and have no real desire to do so - and I'm a grumpy old sod anyway so I went on my own.
I didn't go especially far - this was the first time I had worn the ski-boots outside and there were issues with them and the sock system and tightening I was playing with. I was also still feeling profoundly un-energetic so I skinned up for about 1/2km on some pretty hard ice/snow. Going up was okay as there was a little bank of snow I could follow - it was actually quite fun. I chose to walk down as I am not sure how well I would have been able to control the short ski's on that ice - may yet return with the big ones.
Cross Fell looked amazing on the drive home - will make that an objective if the snow holds - although a thaw below 600m is forecast for Thurs - which is less good.
Roll on Scotland - 8 days and counting.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SkiingRecce - are the pictures
Claire and I did go over the Mum and Peter's and go for a walk on Simonside - which involved me having no energy and Claire electing to take half of Northumberland back in her boots!!
Yesterday - was just too tired despite some lovely weather in Penrith - although it was bad on Helvellyn I gather. Today I summoned up a little energy and tried a new (for me) mode of transport.
So; today - the first weekend of the hols for me as school broke on Fri - weird to think I won't be there until late Jan as I start my second school placement on the 4th... As can be seen from the picture below I
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| The skis. |
Not especially fancying the last part of the road up to the mines; I parked at the Travellers Rest (hence the small ski's) and walked up.
Now, to be fair, those whose idea of fun it is to spend obscene amounts of money to go to France, Italy etc to ski would probably not have thought their were loads of people - I don't and have no real desire to do so - and I'm a grumpy old sod anyway so I went on my own.
I didn't go especially far - this was the first time I had worn the ski-boots outside and there were issues with them and the sock system and tightening I was playing with. I was also still feeling profoundly un-energetic so I skinned up for about 1/2km on some pretty hard ice/snow. Going up was okay as there was a little bank of snow I could follow - it was actually quite fun. I chose to walk down as I am not sure how well I would have been able to control the short ski's on that ice - may yet return with the big ones.
Cross Fell looked amazing on the drive home - will make that an objective if the snow holds - although a thaw below 600m is forecast for Thurs - which is less good.
Roll on Scotland - 8 days and counting.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SkiingRecce - are the pictures
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Snow is finally here
driving back from lancaster today there was snow all on the Howgills - still not enough for real fun and games but still better than nothing....it is OH so windy though..
Saturday 19 November 2011
Bowscale Fell with Claire...
It was a very strange day - stupidly warm in the valley; Claire and I walked up Mousethwaite Combe in shirt sleeves - yet spent lunch on top of Bowscale Fell in windproofs and multiple fleeces.
The original idea was Blencathra - perfect for a shortish day; dropping Claire's car at the garage to be fixed and then needing to do lots of school work in the evening. However; arriving (depressingly out of breath) at the top of the Combe we looked to a cloud-wreathed Blencathra. We also arrived to some lunatic farmer type gunning his quad bike and doing a Lewis Hamilton impression - without his skill level. After almost running down so poor innocent dog wandering around he gunned up off Souther Fell at high speed.
To avoid him we dropped down to the little troll bridge which crosses the River Glenderamackin; and from there started the very steep pull up the shoulder of Bannerdale Crags. This was another odd day of weather - a stop for tea and cake halfway up necessitated pulling on lots of clothes - yet these were immediately shed once we started uphill. I have run down this way on several occasions yet have never gone to the top - so touching the cairn was a new hill for me. We then ambled across the plateau and squelched up onto the summit of Bowscale Fell. A cold lunch was taken before we descended the same way. At the junction of the paths we headed across the plateau to the col between Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra. A descent of the valley of the River Glenderamackin followed - on the Sharp Edge side for a change.
Our final obstacle of the day was almost being run over by a flying mountain biker at the head of Mousethwaite Combe....which was like an oven - crazy for mid november...when will it snow?
Pictures below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BoswcaleFellFromMousethwaiteCombe#
The original idea was Blencathra - perfect for a shortish day; dropping Claire's car at the garage to be fixed and then needing to do lots of school work in the evening. However; arriving (depressingly out of breath) at the top of the Combe we looked to a cloud-wreathed Blencathra. We also arrived to some lunatic farmer type gunning his quad bike and doing a Lewis Hamilton impression - without his skill level. After almost running down so poor innocent dog wandering around he gunned up off Souther Fell at high speed.
To avoid him we dropped down to the little troll bridge which crosses the River Glenderamackin; and from there started the very steep pull up the shoulder of Bannerdale Crags. This was another odd day of weather - a stop for tea and cake halfway up necessitated pulling on lots of clothes - yet these were immediately shed once we started uphill. I have run down this way on several occasions yet have never gone to the top - so touching the cairn was a new hill for me. We then ambled across the plateau and squelched up onto the summit of Bowscale Fell. A cold lunch was taken before we descended the same way. At the junction of the paths we headed across the plateau to the col between Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra. A descent of the valley of the River Glenderamackin followed - on the Sharp Edge side for a change.
Our final obstacle of the day was almost being run over by a flying mountain biker at the head of Mousethwaite Combe....which was like an oven - crazy for mid november...when will it snow?
Pictures below.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BoswcaleFellFromMousethwaiteCombe#
Friday 11 November 2011
censorship from blogger...
I presume is the reason that the picture has vanished...it was a group of protesters outside St. Pauls in London with a nice sign saying "sorry for any inconvenience whilst global network improvements take place" - or something of that ilk!! It was rather humorous but there we go......
Am VERY pleased it is friday...and the forecast for Sunday is decent.
Am VERY pleased it is friday...and the forecast for Sunday is decent.
Sunday 6 November 2011
A pretty good summary actually...
Quite funny really....wonder if the powers that be see the funny side...
Claire bags another munro...*
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| Looking to St. Sunday Crag and Fairfield - part of our walk in April |
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| Part of the summit view |
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| Striding Edge.. |
Saturday was gorgeous in Cumbria and actually quite cold - which bode well for today and it did not disappoint. Claire had never done Helvellyn so, as our first walk since our engagement, we drove down to Glenridding; with bags packed with lots of fleeces expecting it to be cold. It wasn't, and we were both unfit so the slog up towards the 'hole in the wall' (where several paths converge and one must choose how to get onto Helvellyn) was long and hot...the views and the weather were somewhat of a palliative for this however - as can be seen they were quite simply superb.
We decided on Swirral Edge (not as famous as Striding Edge [which is massively overrated anyway]) which does have the benefit of a terminally loose headwall - I would recommend doing Striding Edge under a hard frost seriously.
We took the avoiding path a bit; scrambled a bit and soon arrived on the plateau, with just a short step to the summit and some more amazing views. Lunch was taken early and more photo's were snapped...after lunch the party, as Bill Murray might have said, sat on its haunches, had a hot drink and decided its next move.
We elected to traverse over (term used loosely) Helvellyn Lower Man and Whiteside before descending the steep zig-zag path (good recce for me and the bike!) and enjoying the afternoon walk down to Greenside Mines (oh and a pint in the Travellers Rest might have had something to do with it!!).
Helvellyn Lower Man is quite probably the easiest 'top' in the UK - on ski/bike in mist you might well not even notice it. There was more of a pull onto Whiteside before a very pleasant descent to the start of the path down. This is quite steep - running would probably be easier than walking to be honest...we also saw hordes of mtb riders - coming uphill. Most were pushing up - some brave souls tried to ride - it would be a good test of fitness...
The weather was still pretty warm - base layer only weather - and, in due course, we arrived at the Travellers Rest...and ambled out later with some Red Tarn (a beer I had not tried before) inside us...all that remained was a wander through the village to the car and the drive home (for me)/snooze (for Claire..)....oh until we saw the mist in Penrith :-)
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/HelvellynWithClaire# is where you can see the rest of the pictures...
* the Irvine Butterfield book - ' The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland' has all the peaks over 3000' including the English ones!
Sunday 30 October 2011
40 in the Dales...
The morning was overcast and a little breezy. It seemed further than I remembered past the school at Brackenbottom before we turned uphill..however turn we did and we plodded very slowly up. Neither Claire or I were on especially fine form and we wandered up towards the junction with the Pennine Way. Crossing the stile we REALLY became aware of the wind. We had been walking into it, however we had been quite well sheltered by the mountain itself. In the crosswind it was actually quite arkward.
Towards the summit the path zigzags through the crags - and walking with our back to the wind was actually quite tricky; it was quite hard to maintain control. Claire said; with some justification I think, that it was the strongest wind she had seen in England (Scottish winter being a different kettle of fish). Luckily; the summit is well endowed with wind shelters on either side of the wall and so we could sit down, have a banana and take stock.
The original plan of the day had been to go along to Plover Hill and thence down to the path from Foxup that goes around the mountain. However; that would commit us to a 1 1/2 mile walk in the crosswind - so we elected to follow the PW descent towards Horton Scar Lane.
Once on this descent, the wind dropped noticeably and it was pleasant walking until the lunch stop; where the path swings left down Horton Scar Lane and descends to Horton. The weather was getting better the whole time so we elected to detour via Hull Pot, which looked as impressive as ever. A lovely walk in the sunshine (although with the wind still) took us down to Horton. The views back, as can be seen, were very good.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/40thBirthdayInTheDales
The actual birthday was less eventful - a stroll along Blea Moor and a chance for Claire to admire the Ribblehead viaduct....and for me to bemoan the missing tea van from Ribblehead - the one that was always there...
Sunday 23 October 2011
The big 40...
Claire and I are leaving for the Yorkshire Dales shortly - to spend a couple of days over my birthday walking in the Dales, an area that I know well and Claire has never been to.
Hope the weather will be ok - reports and pictures later on...
Hope the weather will be ok - reports and pictures later on...
Monday 17 October 2011
Saturday...
sorry it's a day late - seems to be a theme of my life for recent weeks...I have felt a little 'out of sync' for a bit too long.
With that; it was lovely to see Mum on Friday - especially as Claire is away in Africa - and have a great autumnal day on High Street.
We got very lucky and squeezed the car into the main car-park and set off; very gingerly; up Rough Crag. This was my first time out for some time and my uphill speed resembled a geriatric tortoise if the truth be told. Once on the ridge the views got even better and the wind got even stronger - so strong that the last couple of hundred feet were actually quite arkward. It was easier for me than it was for mum but it was still a bit of a grind. On the actual ridge the wind was much less and we could amble to the trig point - admire the amazing view and have lunch. I was going to say that I am often lucky on High Street - although I do tend to save it for good days; or really bad ones as it's so close to Penrith.
The descent over Mardale Ill Bell, which is little more than a bump coming from High Street if the truth be told, and down to Nan Bield was nice; with a good final descent back to the car. Another good piece of news was that my knee brace for the right knee stayed in the sac; the new trekking poles making a big difference...a positive step on the way to recovery for the knee (or at least as recovered as it will get); and a lovely day.
There was even time to do a tour of teashops before we finally found one that was open (in Pooley Bridge) and allow mum to drive home in the late afternoon. She also took Marvin with her...he has gone to Newcastle for semi-retirement..
With that; it was lovely to see Mum on Friday - especially as Claire is away in Africa - and have a great autumnal day on High Street.
We got very lucky and squeezed the car into the main car-park and set off; very gingerly; up Rough Crag. This was my first time out for some time and my uphill speed resembled a geriatric tortoise if the truth be told. Once on the ridge the views got even better and the wind got even stronger - so strong that the last couple of hundred feet were actually quite arkward. It was easier for me than it was for mum but it was still a bit of a grind. On the actual ridge the wind was much less and we could amble to the trig point - admire the amazing view and have lunch. I was going to say that I am often lucky on High Street - although I do tend to save it for good days; or really bad ones as it's so close to Penrith.
The descent over Mardale Ill Bell, which is little more than a bump coming from High Street if the truth be told, and down to Nan Bield was nice; with a good final descent back to the car. Another good piece of news was that my knee brace for the right knee stayed in the sac; the new trekking poles making a big difference...a positive step on the way to recovery for the knee (or at least as recovered as it will get); and a lovely day.
There was even time to do a tour of teashops before we finally found one that was open (in Pooley Bridge) and allow mum to drive home in the late afternoon. She also took Marvin with her...he has gone to Newcastle for semi-retirement..
Saturday 15 October 2011
High Street today...
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/AutumnDayOnHighStreet
Yes I know it's been a long time - sorry....mad busy at work and not feeling 100% for over a week..that and Claire being away in Africa for 10 days.
Mum and I did a lovely walk today - will post more details later. In the meantime; photo's above
Yes I know it's been a long time - sorry....mad busy at work and not feeling 100% for over a week..that and Claire being away in Africa for 10 days.
Mum and I did a lovely walk today - will post more details later. In the meantime; photo's above
Sunday 18 September 2011
I'm back....
sorry for the lack of posts in quite some time. The new term has started and with the training course I have OCEANS of paperwork to do; not to mention observing lots of lessons; having lots of meetings and teaching a year 7 class.
Anyway, it was good to get out today - especially having had two utter monsoons in Penrith on Friday and Saturday which had not mad the cellar any
better either, stress and time spent sorting that out which I could well do without - ho hum.
So, with a nice morning finally dawning we drove down to Mardale Head; planning a nice jaunt up Harter Fall - a good 3 hr or so leg stretch; ideal for knackered and unfit people.
I didn't have much zip at first - and the climb up Gatesgarth is quite steep. However; some nice light helped for photo's..which you can see here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/AutumnOnHarterFell
Anyway, we had a nice walk and both felt a lot better for it....the weather pretty much held, apart from a brief gusty squall as we started the descent - nicely fuelled with xmas cake!!
This picture here is taken from very near the bottom of the pass and shows the autumnal and changeable day it was - the leaves are turning and the hillside is getting very brown....
Anyway, it was good to get out today - especially having had two utter monsoons in Penrith on Friday and Saturday which had not mad the cellar any
better either, stress and time spent sorting that out which I could well do without - ho hum.So, with a nice morning finally dawning we drove down to Mardale Head; planning a nice jaunt up Harter Fall - a good 3 hr or so leg stretch; ideal for knackered and unfit people.
I didn't have much zip at first - and the climb up Gatesgarth is quite steep. However; some nice light helped for photo's..which you can see here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/AutumnOnHarterFell
This picture here is taken from very near the bottom of the pass and shows the autumnal and changeable day it was - the leaves are turning and the hillside is getting very brown....
Friday 2 September 2011
Last days.....
of the long summer break - although it has been rather a busy break for me this time around.
I was up at the school I start working at on Monday yesterday - BRAND spanking new and rather nice...still the same old IT staff though as they wouldn't give me the password to get onto the internet with the Macbook Air...hope they will on Monday.
Will still be blogging about my doings - although I feel that the next 10 months are going to be VERY busy.
I was up at the school I start working at on Monday yesterday - BRAND spanking new and rather nice...still the same old IT staff though as they wouldn't give me the password to get onto the internet with the Macbook Air...hope they will on Monday.
Will still be blogging about my doings - although I feel that the next 10 months are going to be VERY busy.
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Approaching the end....
of summer....I don't just mean the weather either.
Claire got in on the (delayed as per usual) train from London on Sunday evening and I wandered up to the station to meet her. When we got back to the flat and had tea and cheese and biscuits it was about 9.30; and was going seriously dark. Likewise, the daylight of early morning is receding as well today which is not good either...the daylight is starting to draw in a bit.
Have got SO much to do for the start of next term - as well as hopefully trying out the new bike and doing some running etc...should be a busy couple of weeks.
Claire got in on the (delayed as per usual) train from London on Sunday evening and I wandered up to the station to meet her. When we got back to the flat and had tea and cheese and biscuits it was about 9.30; and was going seriously dark. Likewise, the daylight of early morning is receding as well today which is not good either...the daylight is starting to draw in a bit.
Have got SO much to do for the start of next term - as well as hopefully trying out the new bike and doing some running etc...should be a busy couple of weeks.
Monday 22 August 2011
Beinn Dearg (Inverlael)..
that is how it is known as there are lots of Beinn Deargs in Scotland..this one I have to say is probably the best..
As can be seen from the first photo, the new bike Andruil was used for this walk. The 3km ride (which was largely uphill) was actually quite hard - I needed to get the saddle height right and also get used to riding without clip pedals; I rode in in my walking boots. There was a nice fence where the estate track stops and the stalkers path begins and I left him chained to a fence. The path up Gleann na Squaib is well made and divides after a very impressive waterfall.
As can be seen it was a lovely morning - this was the view from the stalkers path up to Beinn Dearg (R) and Meall nan Ceapraichean (L), two hills I would do later in the day. At the fork in the path I headed left - up towards Eididh nan Clachan Geala. The path peters out as it approaches the Lochan under the hill - however it is only a short, steep pull onto its ridge and then the final climb to the summit. Those who have looked at the picasa folder: https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BeinnDeargAndTheInverlaelHills will have noted that it is an amazing viewpoint. The journey out to Seana Bhraigh would be possible but one would need to wait for a clear day or be VERY good at navigating across peat hagged deserted wastelands...or of course do it in winter!!
From the top I dropped down to the col under Meall nan Ceapraichean and ascended steeply up the top of Ceann Garbh, before making the minimal climb to the summit. Having 2 munro's and 1 top under my belt seemed to be a good stop for lunch so I did. I was also experiencing trouble with the knee brace on my right knee. It was chafing a lot on my knee...I ended up taking it off and walking without it - which actually went surprisingly well...we shall see.
After lunch it was a descent to the 3 way col at the head of Gleann na Squaib and Glen Lair; before heading up off the steep scree of Cona' Mheall. The ascent was not too bad, and I picked an even better line coming down and was back at the col under Beinn Dearg in about 45 mins. I decided to go up and down Beinn Dearg, to descend the stalkers path back to the gate rather than go down the long NW ridge; so it was a stiff clamber up and down before I was able to have a second lunch and toddle off down the stalkers path.
Two people who had been staying at the bunkhouse ran past me with about 1km to go until the gate...I was SO gutted that they also had bikes as I wouldn't have the pleasure of blasting past them as they ran back to the road...they were still getting ready when I arrived to collect Andruil...I think I lost them in about 100yards...7mins (easing off at the end) for the 3 km was a good whizz down...
A lovely day; shame Claire wasn't able to share it....more hills to go back to.
As can be seen from the first photo, the new bike Andruil was used for this walk. The 3km ride (which was largely uphill) was actually quite hard - I needed to get the saddle height right and also get used to riding without clip pedals; I rode in in my walking boots. There was a nice fence where the estate track stops and the stalkers path begins and I left him chained to a fence. The path up Gleann na Squaib is well made and divides after a very impressive waterfall.
From the top I dropped down to the col under Meall nan Ceapraichean and ascended steeply up the top of Ceann Garbh, before making the minimal climb to the summit. Having 2 munro's and 1 top under my belt seemed to be a good stop for lunch so I did. I was also experiencing trouble with the knee brace on my right knee. It was chafing a lot on my knee...I ended up taking it off and walking without it - which actually went surprisingly well...we shall see.
After lunch it was a descent to the 3 way col at the head of Gleann na Squaib and Glen Lair; before heading up off the steep scree of Cona' Mheall. The ascent was not too bad, and I picked an even better line coming down and was back at the col under Beinn Dearg in about 45 mins. I decided to go up and down Beinn Dearg, to descend the stalkers path back to the gate rather than go down the long NW ridge; so it was a stiff clamber up and down before I was able to have a second lunch and toddle off down the stalkers path.
Two people who had been staying at the bunkhouse ran past me with about 1km to go until the gate...I was SO gutted that they also had bikes as I wouldn't have the pleasure of blasting past them as they ran back to the road...they were still getting ready when I arrived to collect Andruil...I think I lost them in about 100yards...7mins (easing off at the end) for the 3 km was a good whizz down...
A lovely day; shame Claire wasn't able to share it....more hills to go back to.
Friday 19 August 2011
An amazing day on the Inverlael hills....
will blog about it in detail later...pix are here: https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BeinnDeargAndTheInverlaelHills
Oh, and Andruil got to have some fun on the 3km descent back to the car from the gate at the edge of the forest...which took about 10mins (easing up at the end)...4 munro's and 1 top done today....and some amazing views... the scale of this place is mind-blowing..
Oh, and Andruil got to have some fun on the 3km descent back to the car from the gate at the edge of the forest...which took about 10mins (easing up at the end)...4 munro's and 1 top done today....and some amazing views... the scale of this place is mind-blowing..
Thursday 18 August 2011
Western Fannich hills....
Mum sent me a text when we got back from the last trip...saying about how one forgets the scale of these hills....today brought that point home to me.
Nowhere else in the UK would 10 miles and 3850 feet of ascent be considered a relatively short day..I wanted to start with a quite short day and also the forecast for tomorrow (Fri) was much better so I wanted to be fresh to do a sizeable contribution tomorrow..also; these hills were outstanding on the Munro's list!!
Anyhow; I set off nice and promptly after another breakfast from Ian; only to realise about half-way there I had forgotten my camera...oops...so; take two and I was parking up at the end of Loch a' Bhraoin - this time armed with midgy face net and chicken noodle smelling repellent!
Don't know if I mentioned this last time - Claire brought some repellent in Gairloch - it works but it smells like weak chicken noodle soup; something we both noticed on our stroll in from Poolewe on that trip...anyway...it works which is good.
Midge net soon off and I was soon squelching through the path on the way up the slopes of Toman Coinich; which is the top in between the two hills I was doing today. The path picked quite a clever up through some rocky outcrops which deposited me (very sweatily as it was completely still) on the plateau of Drum Reidh. Once on this plateau the angle eases off massively and walking becomes underfoot as opposed to under ankle. There is also a small path up here that I followed and eventually made my way to the col between Toman Coinich and A' Chailleach (which is the mountain in this picture). I
left my sack on the col and panted up A'Chailleach, an ascent of only 400' or so. I met two Scottish blokes near the top who said that they had disturbed an eagle which had flown off - and the midges. I
can't comment on the first - can on the second so it was a quick run down and back to the sack. The ascent of Toman Coinich was, frankly, not much less than that of the mountain. It was soon done and after a country slice or two I set off for the last climb of the day - Sgurr Breac. This was longer, although only around 500'. My timing was excellent as I arrived on top at lunchtime - so I did. The mizzle began as well and continued all the way down - except for a half hour burst of quite steady rain - enough to get me into overtrousers anyway. The walk back down the stalkers path that Claire and I had used on our Sgurr nan Each/Sgurr nan Clach Geala walk seemed longer than I remembered. I had felt full of beans on top of Sgurr Breac and had half considered throwing in another 2000' of climbing and 2 more mountains - luckily I did not as I felt a bit more tired than I expected on the descent. It was quite hard to keep a rhythm up as the path was very wet and quite slippery....Having said all that the round took me under 5 1/2 hrs which is pretty good....and the forecast for tomorrow is quite encouraging as well!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/WesternFannichHills
pix here....
Nowhere else in the UK would 10 miles and 3850 feet of ascent be considered a relatively short day..I wanted to start with a quite short day and also the forecast for tomorrow (Fri) was much better so I wanted to be fresh to do a sizeable contribution tomorrow..also; these hills were outstanding on the Munro's list!!
Anyhow; I set off nice and promptly after another breakfast from Ian; only to realise about half-way there I had forgotten my camera...oops...so; take two and I was parking up at the end of Loch a' Bhraoin - this time armed with midgy face net and chicken noodle smelling repellent!
Don't know if I mentioned this last time - Claire brought some repellent in Gairloch - it works but it smells like weak chicken noodle soup; something we both noticed on our stroll in from Poolewe on that trip...anyway...it works which is good.
Midge net soon off and I was soon squelching through the path on the way up the slopes of Toman Coinich; which is the top in between the two hills I was doing today. The path picked quite a clever up through some rocky outcrops which deposited me (very sweatily as it was completely still) on the plateau of Drum Reidh. Once on this plateau the angle eases off massively and walking becomes underfoot as opposed to under ankle. There is also a small path up here that I followed and eventually made my way to the col between Toman Coinich and A' Chailleach (which is the mountain in this picture). I
left my sack on the col and panted up A'Chailleach, an ascent of only 400' or so. I met two Scottish blokes near the top who said that they had disturbed an eagle which had flown off - and the midges. I
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/WesternFannichHills
pix here....
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Back in the NW...
for another few days - with poor Claire having to work I am on my own; although Andruil (the new bike) is with me.
Not sure what to do exactly yet - there are some outlying munro's to tidy up; however the forecast is a bit iffy although Fri looks pretty decent - might be the best day for a long, challenging walk...
More to follow
Wednesday 10 August 2011
I need a name....
However, I still don't have a name....PLEASE can someone help my useless owner give me a name...
Thanks..
The new bike
Tuesday 9 August 2011
Testing the boots...
so, one consequence of breaking my left heel years ago is that I could do with heavy boots in summer as well as winter - except they are MEGA heavy and also quite hot...so I have been using trainers (my trail shoes got lots of use on the Scotland trip) and they are brilliant...although I have a limp like Herr Flick of the Gestapo (type 'Allo 'Allo into You Tube if you don't get that reference) every morning...so the solution presented itself on the way back from Scotland. Nevisport in Fort Bill had lovely trainers with high ankles. I got a pair and decided to test them out before I go back north next Wednesday. That, and the gorgeous forecast coupled with an appalling weather forecast tomorrow and for the rest of the week as well!!!
As you can see - there have been worse days.
So, I parked at Mardale Head and wandered along the lakeshore for about 1km until I left and ascended up Rough Crag. Wainwright described this as the best way onto High Street, and he is (as usual) probably right....Blea Tarn (in the first picture above) looked splendid and the view from the top was amazing (as can be seen from the second picture)..
From the summit, I descended over Mardale Ill Bell and dropped down to the Nan Bield Pass, the head of which is in the last picture. As can be seen the path is well made - it seems to have been totally reconstructed in point of fact. This will make navigation easier in the mist/winter but does seem to be a bit of overkill. As I was feeling really good and the day was lovely I made the 400' ascent onto Harter Fell, where I soaked up the views of the Howgill Fells and distant Ingleborough and Pendle Hill; oh and I scoffed my cheese sandwiches as well!!
The descent down Gatesgarth was lovely as usual - it seemed busy to me although given that it is the summer holidays it was probably not that busy. I reckon I saw about 20 people today - and by saw I mean passed, overtook and was able to say "hello" etc to....considerably more than Claire and I saw during all our days in the NW Highlands put together.....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/HighStreetAndHarterFellAGloriousDayInSummer
go check out..
As you can see - there have been worse days.
From the summit, I descended over Mardale Ill Bell and dropped down to the Nan Bield Pass, the head of which is in the last picture. As can be seen the path is well made - it seems to have been totally reconstructed in point of fact. This will make navigation easier in the mist/winter but does seem to be a bit of overkill. As I was feeling really good and the day was lovely I made the 400' ascent onto Harter Fell, where I soaked up the views of the Howgill Fells and distant Ingleborough and Pendle Hill; oh and I scoffed my cheese sandwiches as well!!
The descent down Gatesgarth was lovely as usual - it seemed busy to me although given that it is the summer holidays it was probably not that busy. I reckon I saw about 20 people today - and by saw I mean passed, overtook and was able to say "hello" etc to....considerably more than Claire and I saw during all our days in the NW Highlands put together.....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/HighStreetAndHarterFellAGloriousDayInSummer
go check out..
Sunday 7 August 2011
A quiet (ish) weekend...
and yes the weather has not been great - that said Claire and I went for a nice walk by the River Eden this evening....her leg is healing up slowly but surely; however Scotland next weekend will come too soon. We are going up at Bank holiday and I am going up the week after next so all is not too bad...
...no new bike as of yet - still needs a name. Aiming to do some more exercise this week - running, walking, cycling and maybe even some climbing. Forecast is the usual August rubbish but there we are....
...no new bike as of yet - still needs a name. Aiming to do some more exercise this week - running, walking, cycling and maybe even some climbing. Forecast is the usual August rubbish but there we are....
Thursday 4 August 2011
New pictures...
with more space I am uploading everything (or almost everything) from my camera....whole lot of new shots from our day on Ben Wyvis.... https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SummerOnBenWyvis#
Weather has crapped out yet again today - back to persistent 'I'm going to last most of the day' rain that was common in June. On the plus side; I have ordered a new mountain bike - who will need a name at some point...might make that a competition!!
Weather has crapped out yet again today - back to persistent 'I'm going to last most of the day' rain that was common in June. On the plus side; I have ordered a new mountain bike - who will need a name at some point...might make that a competition!!
Wednesday 3 August 2011
Picasa upgraded....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751
this should get you to my home page.....I will upload the vast majority of my pictures onto here....and will link it from various blogs as well....
this should get you to my home page.....I will upload the vast majority of my pictures onto here....and will link it from various blogs as well....
The final day in the Fannich hills...
yeah ok - sorry it has been a bit late; getting home and sorting out the mess from a week away has taken some time; plus yesterday I went to the west with Claire (she is working there this week) and went for a gentle 2mile run on the coast - and did some reading and lesson prep stuff.
I also still haven't brought any more space on Picasa either - so not many pix as of yet; they will be up tomorrow. The ones that are up are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SgurrMorWithClaire
This one was from the wed walk and is Sgurr Mor (at 1110m the highest point of the Fannich range) with Carn na Criche to its left. Our walk goes left to right and off into the distance!!
Well, a nice early start at the bunkhouse saw us parked up and ready to go at 8.10 which is pretty good. The forecast was good and the mist was starting to clear off the hills as we followed an excellent stalkers path into the hills. Claire's leg was
still causing her problems and was heavily strapped [later consulting with a physio meant that she shouldn't really have done this work - mega props for having the guts to do it my lovely] and the good walking underfoot was great. Regrettably, it couldn't go on for ever and we soon got a junction where we had a choice of paths, a walkers path which we knew went to Loch a' Mhadaidh (our first destination) and the stalkers path which went off towards a ridge. We took the walkers path - which turned out to be an error; although it didn't become apparent for another couple of hours.
Our path was narrow and did vanish once in a while, however it deposited us at the Loch which is at the heart of the range. Our next objective was the col between Carn na Criche and Meall a' Chrasgaidh (the final peak we had ascended on wed). We were initially really lucky to pick a small but very usable path through the heather to the base of the corrie headwall, where a gruesomely steep and quite midgy ascent would put us on the main ridge and MUCH easier going. The last part of this ascent was really tough for Claire with her injured leg, and it was much to our relief and somewhat to our amazement that we met a good traversing path coming in from the ridge to our right. Looking down from the top it linked up with the stalkers path on the ridge of Creag Raineach Mor (a 600m peak next to the col). With hindsight we should clearly have stayed on the stalkers path.....it's easy to say it is a wonderful thing but I should probably have trusted my instincts which were to use this ridge in the first place (when planning the route at the bunkhouse). Not a great decision, especially for poor Claire who suffered a lot with her leg...
Once on the path; it was a weary wander up to the summit of Carn na Criche, where a lunch stop in the sun helped no end. A steady plod up Sgurr Mor led to the main decision of the day - descend over Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich (the way we had gone down on Sunday) or go further along the ridge - very easy walking but an unsure descent off the Belach Ban. Claire chose the latter (to her immense credit) and we descended and then re-ascended (not much) over Meall nan Peithirean before a final drag onto the munro of Meall Gorm. From there our route lay over its SE top and thence to the Belach. The sight of a path starting next to Loch Gorm and taking us through the first part of the heather bash was VERY welcome...and it made a lot of difference. When it vanished it was hard going; however our decision to head to the river was correct (for once on this trip) as we picked up a small path along it which sped our progress. Once we had hit ground we knew from Sunday I pushed on ahead so as to walk/hitch the 2 miles along the road to get the car (oh yeah - missed this bit out, by committing to do more walking Claire knowingly risked adding 2 more miles on as well). Luckily I got a lift almost immediately and was able to be at the car park when Claire arrived (not that long after me it must be said).
The day did have one final good part...upon arriving back at the bunkhouse, Ian told us that we could have the second b and b bedroom, complete with its own bathroom and showers.....RESULT!!
A fantastic end to a great trip....even the drive back, we took the scenic route down Loch Ness, the next day went ok....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SgurrMorWithClaire
This one was from the wed walk and is Sgurr Mor (at 1110m the highest point of the Fannich range) with Carn na Criche to its left. Our walk goes left to right and off into the distance!!
Well, a nice early start at the bunkhouse saw us parked up and ready to go at 8.10 which is pretty good. The forecast was good and the mist was starting to clear off the hills as we followed an excellent stalkers path into the hills. Claire's leg was
still causing her problems and was heavily strapped [later consulting with a physio meant that she shouldn't really have done this work - mega props for having the guts to do it my lovely] and the good walking underfoot was great. Regrettably, it couldn't go on for ever and we soon got a junction where we had a choice of paths, a walkers path which we knew went to Loch a' Mhadaidh (our first destination) and the stalkers path which went off towards a ridge. We took the walkers path - which turned out to be an error; although it didn't become apparent for another couple of hours.
Our path was narrow and did vanish once in a while, however it deposited us at the Loch which is at the heart of the range. Our next objective was the col between Carn na Criche and Meall a' Chrasgaidh (the final peak we had ascended on wed). We were initially really lucky to pick a small but very usable path through the heather to the base of the corrie headwall, where a gruesomely steep and quite midgy ascent would put us on the main ridge and MUCH easier going. The last part of this ascent was really tough for Claire with her injured leg, and it was much to our relief and somewhat to our amazement that we met a good traversing path coming in from the ridge to our right. Looking down from the top it linked up with the stalkers path on the ridge of Creag Raineach Mor (a 600m peak next to the col). With hindsight we should clearly have stayed on the stalkers path.....it's easy to say it is a wonderful thing but I should probably have trusted my instincts which were to use this ridge in the first place (when planning the route at the bunkhouse). Not a great decision, especially for poor Claire who suffered a lot with her leg...
Once on the path; it was a weary wander up to the summit of Carn na Criche, where a lunch stop in the sun helped no end. A steady plod up Sgurr Mor led to the main decision of the day - descend over Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich (the way we had gone down on Sunday) or go further along the ridge - very easy walking but an unsure descent off the Belach Ban. Claire chose the latter (to her immense credit) and we descended and then re-ascended (not much) over Meall nan Peithirean before a final drag onto the munro of Meall Gorm. From there our route lay over its SE top and thence to the Belach. The sight of a path starting next to Loch Gorm and taking us through the first part of the heather bash was VERY welcome...and it made a lot of difference. When it vanished it was hard going; however our decision to head to the river was correct (for once on this trip) as we picked up a small path along it which sped our progress. Once we had hit ground we knew from Sunday I pushed on ahead so as to walk/hitch the 2 miles along the road to get the car (oh yeah - missed this bit out, by committing to do more walking Claire knowingly risked adding 2 more miles on as well). Luckily I got a lift almost immediately and was able to be at the car park when Claire arrived (not that long after me it must be said).
The day did have one final good part...upon arriving back at the bunkhouse, Ian told us that we could have the second b and b bedroom, complete with its own bathroom and showers.....RESULT!!
A fantastic end to a great trip....even the drive back, we took the scenic route down Loch Ness, the next day went ok....
Saturday 30 July 2011
A long day out....
on the Fannich ridge - Claire and I did 2 Munros and 2 tops in a 10hr day...will blog and put pictures up when we get back to Cumbria...need to buy some more space on Picasa; as have 20 odd pictures to upload...
Shame the holiday has to end...
Shame the holiday has to end...
Thursday 28 July 2011
In praise of rest days....
it rained overnight and most of the morning anyway.......so was a good time to have a rest day.
However, it has allowed us to recharge the batteries (and the legs) and make plans for the final two days of the trip....with luck should be two very good walks - the western Fannich fells and a very long day in the Beinn Dearg (Inverlael) range....will blog and add pix in due course.
However, it has allowed us to recharge the batteries (and the legs) and make plans for the final two days of the trip....with luck should be two very good walks - the western Fannich fells and a very long day in the Beinn Dearg (Inverlael) range....will blog and add pix in due course.
Wednesday 27 July 2011
Northern Fannich range...
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/SgurrNanEachSgurrNanClachGealaAndMeallAChrasgaidhWithClaire
These are some of the pictures from one of the best days on the hills I have ever had - anywhere. Stop.
I will upload the rest when I get back to Cumbria and can buy some more space on Picasa, but for now there will be a brief description.
Claire and I stayed in the bunkhouse last night as the b & b at Forestway had been booked for a while. After the rest day of yesterday - including a trip to Gruinard Bay - photo's of which are on picasa as well; we got up bright and early ready to go. Claire's calf had improved massively overnight and with the addition of a knee brace she felt ready to go. One problem with the early start were the midges; the car-park above Loch a' Bhraoin was full of the little buggers...the one living creature I could wipe off the earth without a second thought or pang of conscience. After an exercise in getting trainers on etc that would have befitted the Marx brothers we set off. First down the loch and then up the lovely stalkers path that runs right though to Loch Fannich. The original idea had been to do Meall a' Chrasgaidh first, however the temptation to follow this path all the way up the glen - at least 4 miles and gain an extra 300m of high before going to the col below Sgurr nan Each (and dumping the sacks!) was made. It turned out to be a rather good one....
The slog up from the belach (col) to the ridge was a hot, sweaty and midgy one as there is no real path. Once the col was gained we could drop sacks and amble up to the top of Sgurr nan Each - to be confronted with a view that was almost unreal. I would estimate that an expert on the scottish hills could have named well over 100 mountains - Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin being especially prominent - as was An Tellach. We went back to the col and retrieved our sacks and had lunch, before beginning the 900' grind up Sgurr nan Clach Geala , the second highest peak of the Fannich chain and another amazing viewpoint. Needless to say it did not disappoint, only Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich was absent as it hides behind Sgurr Mor , but we could see coast to coast - out to the Moray Firth and west to the sea at Gruinard and also out beyond Loch Maree.
We descended to a three sided col and ambled slowly (in the heat and it was hot) up the final summit of the day - Meall a' Chrasgaidh. From there, we took an interesting route off the mountain and down to the stream the other side from the stalkers path - this was forded and we ambled back to the car....a quite superb day in an amazing location....SO lucky
These are some of the pictures from one of the best days on the hills I have ever had - anywhere. Stop.
I will upload the rest when I get back to Cumbria and can buy some more space on Picasa, but for now there will be a brief description.
The slog up from the belach (col) to the ridge was a hot, sweaty and midgy one as there is no real path. Once the col was gained we could drop sacks and amble up to the top of Sgurr nan Each - to be confronted with a view that was almost unreal. I would estimate that an expert on the scottish hills could have named well over 100 mountains - Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin being especially prominent - as was An Tellach. We went back to the col and retrieved our sacks and had lunch, before beginning the 900' grind up Sgurr nan Clach Geala , the second highest peak of the Fannich chain and another amazing viewpoint. Needless to say it did not disappoint, only Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich was absent as it hides behind Sgurr Mor , but we could see coast to coast - out to the Moray Firth and west to the sea at Gruinard and also out beyond Loch Maree.
We descended to a three sided col and ambled slowly (in the heat and it was hot) up the final summit of the day - Meall a' Chrasgaidh. From there, we took an interesting route off the mountain and down to the stream the other side from the stalkers path - this was forded and we ambled back to the car....a quite superb day in an amazing location....SO lucky
Ben Wyvis pictures...
well; it was a couple of days ago and now and after today it feels like a different world but....if you are sitting comfortably then let us begin.
Those (deluded few) who read this blog may recall that Claire and I had turned round at about 875m during an attempt on Wyvis on our christmas trip - a howling crosswind and very poor snow conditions making it not advisable for Claire to carry on (I could have got to the top but the experience would have been distinctly underwhelming as the visibility was not great for what is an excellent viewpoint)..
So, round two was on Monday and, fresh from a nice big brekkie from the Aultguish Inn, and armed with 4 large sandwiches, we parked up at the car-park. The route climbs the right hand hill (An Carbar) before traversing to the actual summit which is in the middle - we then intended to add another top which is out of picture. One advantage of this walk is that there is a good path all the way to the top of An Carbar; although it is steep at the top. The first section through the forest was lovely and we crossed the forest road in good order (god I sound like W.H.Murray!) The next section had been profoundly tricky in the winter with icy sections; however this time it led upwards nice and rapidly and with a gentle breeze keeping the midges away as well, which are the bane of most people's lives in Scotland at this time of year....
We made the top in good time, much better than in the winter and were rewarded with views like this....right across the whole of the western highlands and also south towards the Cairngorms.
After a quick break for food and water we set off towards the summit of Ben Wyvis. A steady pull took us to the top and we dropped over the other side before having lunch. Several rather tasty sarnies later the two of us waddled rather slowly up Tom a' Choinnich, the third top of Ben Wyvis and the third one that counted that day [being very sad, I am trying to do the tops as well as the Munro's]. There is a fourth top; however that is a good 2 miles away and whilst it would have been easyish (if long) to take in; it was left for another time - on ski's the whole mountain would be very quick and straightforward.
The descent was a bit trying at first. Unbeknownst to us, the new editions of the Munro guide suggest veering towards the stream quickly and a trod has developed along it. Not knowing that, we descended for several hundred feet on heathery ground - quite hard going. We were angling towards the stream and we did eventually pick up the trod. The going was still quite rough and not a little wet as we headed towards the forest. After scrambling through a deer fence we descended a forest ride and picked up a very clever little path that descended above a river and back towards the forest road. However, with about 100 yards to go, Claire slipped off the path and pulled a muscle in her leg - leaving her with a very painful hobble back to the car as there was no way I could get the vehicle any closer to render any assistance.....Ibruprofen and some raising of the leg later has hopefully helped....
All in all though a very good day indeed; not as long as Sunday but with about 1100m of climbing it was still a sizeable contribution.
Those (deluded few) who read this blog may recall that Claire and I had turned round at about 875m during an attempt on Wyvis on our christmas trip - a howling crosswind and very poor snow conditions making it not advisable for Claire to carry on (I could have got to the top but the experience would have been distinctly underwhelming as the visibility was not great for what is an excellent viewpoint)..
After a quick break for food and water we set off towards the summit of Ben Wyvis. A steady pull took us to the top and we dropped over the other side before having lunch. Several rather tasty sarnies later the two of us waddled rather slowly up Tom a' Choinnich, the third top of Ben Wyvis and the third one that counted that day [being very sad, I am trying to do the tops as well as the Munro's]. There is a fourth top; however that is a good 2 miles away and whilst it would have been easyish (if long) to take in; it was left for another time - on ski's the whole mountain would be very quick and straightforward.
The descent was a bit trying at first. Unbeknownst to us, the new editions of the Munro guide suggest veering towards the stream quickly and a trod has developed along it. Not knowing that, we descended for several hundred feet on heathery ground - quite hard going. We were angling towards the stream and we did eventually pick up the trod. The going was still quite rough and not a little wet as we headed towards the forest. After scrambling through a deer fence we descended a forest ride and picked up a very clever little path that descended above a river and back towards the forest road. However, with about 100 yards to go, Claire slipped off the path and pulled a muscle in her leg - leaving her with a very painful hobble back to the car as there was no way I could get the vehicle any closer to render any assistance.....Ibruprofen and some raising of the leg later has hopefully helped....
All in all though a very good day indeed; not as long as Sunday but with about 1100m of climbing it was still a sizeable contribution.
Monday 25 July 2011
Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich...
so, school has finished and Claire and I headed north on saturday up to the North West of Scotland. It is our first real break away since the xmas trip (which also ended up in the NW of Scotland). Now, just as then, we picked a b & b we found on the internet...'forestway' www.forestway.co.uk north of Braemore Junction and at the heart of the hills....now; just as then; we seem to have made a very good choice.
The weather is pretty good as we arrive and lots of familiar, yet unfamiliar, hills are around. I have never walked on the Fannich Hills or the Inverlael hills, pictured below, (centered on Beinn Dearg), yet I know of them from the guidebooks. However spectacular they look in the books; is nothing to how they look in reality...
Sunday morning; after a lovely breakfast, we elected to do Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich, an outlier of the main Fannich ridge. Parking up and setting off; probably not paying as much attention to the guidebook as we should have and set off up the river following a lovely narrow path, which had earlier been taken by some FSP (fit scottish people). Well we assumed they were fit as they zonked off at high speed up a hill that we waddled up later!!
The scale of the highlands is always a bit of a shock at first - the scale of the NW is bigger still.
When we got back to the car - a few hours later - we were both rather chagrined at being tired at having only done 1 hill...we had hoped to get onto the main Fannich ridge and do some more hills....the strong NW wind didn't help in that regard as we were climbing into it. Upon cursory glance of the guide book later; we discovered we had done around 11 miles!!! which is:
a) good to explain why were so knackered and
b) made two pints of An Tellach very excusable - we were staying at The Altguish Inn so no driving issues either!!
What about the walk.....well it was hard; as paths are also at a premium up here - certainly compared to Cumbria. The weather was not as good as today - with a strong wind and some cloud; however the views were still pretty good indeed.....pix are here btw....https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BeinnLiathMhorFannaich
A good start to the week however, as well as opening our eyes to some of the potential of the Fannich hils.
The weather is pretty good as we arrive and lots of familiar, yet unfamiliar, hills are around. I have never walked on the Fannich Hills or the Inverlael hills, pictured below, (centered on Beinn Dearg), yet I know of them from the guidebooks. However spectacular they look in the books; is nothing to how they look in reality...
The scale of the highlands is always a bit of a shock at first - the scale of the NW is bigger still.
When we got back to the car - a few hours later - we were both rather chagrined at being tired at having only done 1 hill...we had hoped to get onto the main Fannich ridge and do some more hills....the strong NW wind didn't help in that regard as we were climbing into it. Upon cursory glance of the guide book later; we discovered we had done around 11 miles!!! which is:
a) good to explain why were so knackered and
b) made two pints of An Tellach very excusable - we were staying at The Altguish Inn so no driving issues either!!
What about the walk.....well it was hard; as paths are also at a premium up here - certainly compared to Cumbria. The weather was not as good as today - with a strong wind and some cloud; however the views were still pretty good indeed.....pix are here btw....https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BeinnLiathMhorFannaich
A good start to the week however, as well as opening our eyes to some of the potential of the Fannich hils.
2 great days...
in the North West of Scotland. Claire and I did 3 tops of Ben Wyvis today followed by a day on Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich yesterday....
the weather has been a little windy but otherwise amazing.....and the views have been awesome - I will upload onto Picasa later on tonight.
Only down sides - a slight strain for Claire today when she slipped at the very end of todays walk - which hopefully will be ok....and the fact that we are still getting used to the scale of these hills....yesterday the one munro of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannacih entailed an 11 mile walk and 720m of climbing; whilst today we climbed around 1100m.....and these are the shorter walks...
Much more to follow....
the weather has been a little windy but otherwise amazing.....and the views have been awesome - I will upload onto Picasa later on tonight.
Only down sides - a slight strain for Claire today when she slipped at the very end of todays walk - which hopefully will be ok....and the fact that we are still getting used to the scale of these hills....yesterday the one munro of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannacih entailed an 11 mile walk and 720m of climbing; whilst today we climbed around 1100m.....and these are the shorter walks...
Much more to follow....
Saturday 16 July 2011
One week to go..
until change of job; pretty major change of career....oh yeah and a nice holiday of 6 weeks!
The aim will be to get out every single day even for an hour or so....lets just hope the weather plays ball - suffice to say today it hasn't.
The aim will be to get out every single day even for an hour or so....lets just hope the weather plays ball - suffice to say today it hasn't.
Sunday 10 July 2011
1000 views....
well 1002 actually.....hopefully not including mine as I have disabled the 'include my views counter' ad nauseum...
Just a big thank you to all those who do look at this now and then.....
Just a big thank you to all those who do look at this now and then.....
An amazing day......27m of paradise....
Ben Sharp and I had discussed where to go on Sunday on Saturday night...it turned out we were both correct...Ben was right that it was a great place to go and we would have a good time....I was correct in that the walk would be a nightmare....this is just down to my lack of fitness however.
Today was a MUCH better day than last sunday...although I failed on one climb (which is probably undergraded at HS+ to be honest) and had a bit of fun following Ben up it. The paradise mentioned was Oxford and Cambridge Direct...a quite marvellous MS. I had done this before many years but had no recall of how good this route is...just enough gear to stop too much seriousness being apparent; very exposed and requiring some trust in footwork....quite simply an amazing route.
We also did a couple of others.......I climbed much better; however I still need to get lots of mileage in I think....looking forward to summer hols a lot more though..
Sunday 3 July 2011
Melting - literally and in other ways...
god it was hot today....or maybe it wasn't just that hot (it was) - it just felt SO hot after a month of nigh on constant rain and cold temperatures. Sarah, a friend of Claire's from her uni days was here and they had a great day on High Street yesterday whilst I went out for a spin on Arjuna. I only did about 45 mins and one decent hill but felt tired at the end of the ride - with hindsight I should have seen the portent....at least riding Arjuna was not as painful as it was when I last rode him - a minor saddle adjustment seems to have sorted out the problem (touch wood).
So; we move onto today when Luke and I went climbing outside. It had been well over a month since I had last touched rock of any sort - so we rocked up at Shepherds Crag (our second choice destination but it was impossible to get parked anywhere near Black Crag..maybe the traffic Nazi's in Keswick should get their arses down the valley and look at the way that some people park their cars...Stevie Wonder after 6 pints could not have done worse). Ardus was our first choice of route - a MVS that we had both done a few times before. Luke started up the first pitch - which is a slab with not a lot of protection - although Luke managed to find more than I ever remember placing! Seconding I first got the feeling that I was not going well...this is a pitch I can usually run up - I am a good slab climber; with only the oft lack of gear being a problem, but today it seemed so much more polished than usual and I was not as sure of my foot placements as I should have been - rust perhaps?
The second pitch (mine) went up a steep corner. This is also polished - although not as horrendously so as the first pitch. I went ok on it - although slowly - the perfect gear making even me trust it (more of which anon...). I belayed in the corner; leant off my gear, felt totally secure and waited for Luke to do the crux traverse. If this kind of thing is my cup of tea I don't think it's Luke's (more of which also anon)...however he wobbled (a bit!!) across the traverse before dispensing with the crack to the top - which has quite an arkward last move with small, polished footholds...I find the traverse easy and the crack awkward - always have and probably always will....
Having read the above - one might wonder why (after a cup of tea/coffee at the cafe) I elected to try a VS crack line called CDM. This is admittedly, a route I had done a few times in my previous climbing life - and I remember finding it ok; steep but all being there. My memory is correct - it is steep, and it's all there...there is gear as well....regrettably the main thing that was not all there was me - at least mentally.
I had SO many wobbles on the route - placing gear that I didn't trust (wrongly for the most part) and making a total pig's ear of the moves...the heat was a factor as I was having to chalk up every single move - however that doesn't excuse the total shambles that occurred. Having downclimbed the route (considerably harder than climbing up it!!) convinced that the gear would rip if I loaded it (it didn't when I had to load it later but there we are.....) I committed to the moves above the last nut. Pulling over a bulge with one move separating me from being in balance and more gear I totally freaked out...all the up and down climbing and arsing around had drained my hands and I became nearly cragfast. I quickly through in an ok hex and (convinced it would pop; my gear would rip and I would crater from 40ft) tried to down climb the last two moves....this proved impossible and I had to lower off....heart very much in mouth.
No doubt totally psyched out by that total shambles - Luke couldn't get up it either so I had to abseil for the gear...those who know me will know that abseiling is not my favourite activity at the best of times (legacy of some 'interesting' abseils in the Dols)..but that was accomplished and soon a very chastened Simon was back at the bottom of the route..
To ask what went wrong would take a book......I am going to go climbing on Wed (hopefully outside) and will decide then whether I want to carry on climbing....much as though I love doing long classic easy routes - I also want to get back to climbing hard. All these grand designs mean absolutely nothing if I can't trust my gear and start to panic and worry like that...yes the climb is a full VS but that is a grade I should be pretty ok to without much practice...especially on a route that is ostensibly safe....food for thought I think...Bouldering is a sport I enjoy but I have far too much leg muscle and am far too fat to be any good at...and to go back to the mountains and do the routes I want to do I have to be able to run up Severe pitches without a lot of gear....something I am clearly not capable of doing yet with the summer hols 3 weeks away......
So; we move onto today when Luke and I went climbing outside. It had been well over a month since I had last touched rock of any sort - so we rocked up at Shepherds Crag (our second choice destination but it was impossible to get parked anywhere near Black Crag..maybe the traffic Nazi's in Keswick should get their arses down the valley and look at the way that some people park their cars...Stevie Wonder after 6 pints could not have done worse). Ardus was our first choice of route - a MVS that we had both done a few times before. Luke started up the first pitch - which is a slab with not a lot of protection - although Luke managed to find more than I ever remember placing! Seconding I first got the feeling that I was not going well...this is a pitch I can usually run up - I am a good slab climber; with only the oft lack of gear being a problem, but today it seemed so much more polished than usual and I was not as sure of my foot placements as I should have been - rust perhaps?
The second pitch (mine) went up a steep corner. This is also polished - although not as horrendously so as the first pitch. I went ok on it - although slowly - the perfect gear making even me trust it (more of which anon...). I belayed in the corner; leant off my gear, felt totally secure and waited for Luke to do the crux traverse. If this kind of thing is my cup of tea I don't think it's Luke's (more of which also anon)...however he wobbled (a bit!!) across the traverse before dispensing with the crack to the top - which has quite an arkward last move with small, polished footholds...I find the traverse easy and the crack awkward - always have and probably always will....
Having read the above - one might wonder why (after a cup of tea/coffee at the cafe) I elected to try a VS crack line called CDM. This is admittedly, a route I had done a few times in my previous climbing life - and I remember finding it ok; steep but all being there. My memory is correct - it is steep, and it's all there...there is gear as well....regrettably the main thing that was not all there was me - at least mentally.
I had SO many wobbles on the route - placing gear that I didn't trust (wrongly for the most part) and making a total pig's ear of the moves...the heat was a factor as I was having to chalk up every single move - however that doesn't excuse the total shambles that occurred. Having downclimbed the route (considerably harder than climbing up it!!) convinced that the gear would rip if I loaded it (it didn't when I had to load it later but there we are.....) I committed to the moves above the last nut. Pulling over a bulge with one move separating me from being in balance and more gear I totally freaked out...all the up and down climbing and arsing around had drained my hands and I became nearly cragfast. I quickly through in an ok hex and (convinced it would pop; my gear would rip and I would crater from 40ft) tried to down climb the last two moves....this proved impossible and I had to lower off....heart very much in mouth.
No doubt totally psyched out by that total shambles - Luke couldn't get up it either so I had to abseil for the gear...those who know me will know that abseiling is not my favourite activity at the best of times (legacy of some 'interesting' abseils in the Dols)..but that was accomplished and soon a very chastened Simon was back at the bottom of the route..
To ask what went wrong would take a book......I am going to go climbing on Wed (hopefully outside) and will decide then whether I want to carry on climbing....much as though I love doing long classic easy routes - I also want to get back to climbing hard. All these grand designs mean absolutely nothing if I can't trust my gear and start to panic and worry like that...yes the climb is a full VS but that is a grade I should be pretty ok to without much practice...especially on a route that is ostensibly safe....food for thought I think...Bouldering is a sport I enjoy but I have far too much leg muscle and am far too fat to be any good at...and to go back to the mountains and do the routes I want to do I have to be able to run up Severe pitches without a lot of gear....something I am clearly not capable of doing yet with the summer hols 3 weeks away......
Thursday 30 June 2011
An odd day...
writing this at 15 - a cafe/gallery in Penrith where I have come for lunch...
I am actually at work today as am not part of any teaching union - as yet of course as this will need to change come Septmber...wonder if the dispute will still be going on.
So; after 3 very long days at work I am able to relax today - well in the sense of doing lots of prep work for next year; reading books; watching the 'History of Britain' DVD to see if any bits are going to be usable next year and changing some ideas I have got for active learning in RE to a history perspective...
will need a rest after all this!!
I am actually at work today as am not part of any teaching union - as yet of course as this will need to change come Septmber...wonder if the dispute will still be going on.
So; after 3 very long days at work I am able to relax today - well in the sense of doing lots of prep work for next year; reading books; watching the 'History of Britain' DVD to see if any bits are going to be usable next year and changing some ideas I have got for active learning in RE to a history perspective...
will need a rest after all this!!
Saturday 25 June 2011
Finally getting out....
I would love to have lots of pictures of an amazing day with endless sunshine....like the round of Fairfield that Claire and I did too long ago....unfortunately I don't.
The weather has not been good for the last few weeks - to put it mildly it's been changeable; with frequent rain. The forecast today was not too good either - however yesterday was Mum's birthday so we sallied forth and decided on a gentle(ish) round from Rosthwaite. From the car-park near the Flock Inn we walked up the pass which links the Borrowdale valley with Watendlath. It was a steady ascent as the path has been 'made' (it has been a right of way and traditional route for ages). Regrettably - despite it being an ancient bridleway and drove road, the idea seems to have been to make it as least bike friendly as possible...not good.
We crested the path and dropped into Watendlath - before picking up the path which runs alongside the river for a short 2 miles. On this section of the walk we saw the first people we had seen all day - our way is the "wrong' way round (although probably the better way round) to do this walk. The descent to Shepherds Crag was enlivened by better weather and a lovely waterfall - as seen in the picture - whilst the decision to stop at the cafe therein for lunch was CERTAINLY a good idea - huge portions and sensible prices..
The second half of the walk involved walking back via Grange to Rosthwaite - following the line of the river most of the way. The only place one can really go wrong is the section after the duckboards where one has to take a left hand path - although this is far from obvious (it's not signed/cairned which is unusual in Borrowdale).
From Grange the weather deteriorated somewhat and it was 3 somewhat damp people that made the Flock Inn...and pint mugs of tea....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/WatendlathFromRosthwaite - are the pictures from today...
The weather has not been good for the last few weeks - to put it mildly it's been changeable; with frequent rain. The forecast today was not too good either - however yesterday was Mum's birthday so we sallied forth and decided on a gentle(ish) round from Rosthwaite. From the car-park near the Flock Inn we walked up the pass which links the Borrowdale valley with Watendlath. It was a steady ascent as the path has been 'made' (it has been a right of way and traditional route for ages). Regrettably - despite it being an ancient bridleway and drove road, the idea seems to have been to make it as least bike friendly as possible...not good.
We crested the path and dropped into Watendlath - before picking up the path which runs alongside the river for a short 2 miles. On this section of the walk we saw the first people we had seen all day - our way is the "wrong' way round (although probably the better way round) to do this walk. The descent to Shepherds Crag was enlivened by better weather and a lovely waterfall - as seen in the picture - whilst the decision to stop at the cafe therein for lunch was CERTAINLY a good idea - huge portions and sensible prices..
The second half of the walk involved walking back via Grange to Rosthwaite - following the line of the river most of the way. The only place one can really go wrong is the section after the duckboards where one has to take a left hand path - although this is far from obvious (it's not signed/cairned which is unusual in Borrowdale).
From Grange the weather deteriorated somewhat and it was 3 somewhat damp people that made the Flock Inn...and pint mugs of tea....
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/WatendlathFromRosthwaite - are the pictures from today...
Sunday 12 June 2011
Moments in transition...
just back from a lovely nice bike ride with Claire - first time in ages either of us have been on our steeds...
however; it may turn out to be one of Marvin's last rides...over 10 years old he is starting to show his age and more and more things are starting to go wrong with him...not surprising given the work he has put in over the years. The trans-atlas; which pretty much totalled 2 bikes left him with nothing more than knackered gears and needing new bullbars (not bad for 2 of the sickest weeks work any bike will ever do) whilst he has done 2 coast to coast rides (incl 1 in a 14hr single push) as well as divers orienteering events and lots of other rides...
Hopefully I'll be able to get a full suss bike; so Marvin may retire to Mum's garage (if there is any space!) where he can still go out for rides with her on the East coast - considerably less bumpy and rocky; with the new bike over here on the west coast...
However; to do any of that I'll need to get fit, which right now I ain't. Claire and I had a great day on Fairfield 10days ago, however Claire damaged her ankle slightly and we were limited to a nice stroll along the river for the rest of this week...that coupled with the return of some more horrible weather (no drought warnings up here for sure) has limited us. The other reason I have not done much is simply the stress of school hunting for next year. That, at least, is over with confirmation that I'll be doing GTP training next year at the Richard Rose Academy in Carlisle - YIPEE. It will be hard and challenging; also a lot of fun and hopefully leading to a career in teaching....
Also this week - a BIG thanks to Mum and Peter for sacrificing their only free day this side of xmas to come and do some more work on the skylight at the flat...that at least is the good news; there are still ongoing issues with the cellar that need to be sorted out - which could be horribly expensive (possibly punitively so) - but that is for another day...and we'll find out a lot more tomorrow...
however; it may turn out to be one of Marvin's last rides...over 10 years old he is starting to show his age and more and more things are starting to go wrong with him...not surprising given the work he has put in over the years. The trans-atlas; which pretty much totalled 2 bikes left him with nothing more than knackered gears and needing new bullbars (not bad for 2 of the sickest weeks work any bike will ever do) whilst he has done 2 coast to coast rides (incl 1 in a 14hr single push) as well as divers orienteering events and lots of other rides...
Hopefully I'll be able to get a full suss bike; so Marvin may retire to Mum's garage (if there is any space!) where he can still go out for rides with her on the East coast - considerably less bumpy and rocky; with the new bike over here on the west coast...
However; to do any of that I'll need to get fit, which right now I ain't. Claire and I had a great day on Fairfield 10days ago, however Claire damaged her ankle slightly and we were limited to a nice stroll along the river for the rest of this week...that coupled with the return of some more horrible weather (no drought warnings up here for sure) has limited us. The other reason I have not done much is simply the stress of school hunting for next year. That, at least, is over with confirmation that I'll be doing GTP training next year at the Richard Rose Academy in Carlisle - YIPEE. It will be hard and challenging; also a lot of fun and hopefully leading to a career in teaching....
Also this week - a BIG thanks to Mum and Peter for sacrificing their only free day this side of xmas to come and do some more work on the skylight at the flat...that at least is the good news; there are still ongoing issues with the cellar that need to be sorted out - which could be horribly expensive (possibly punitively so) - but that is for another day...and we'll find out a lot more tomorrow...
Friday 3 June 2011
Fairfield Horseshoe...
So, where to start; we got up reasonably early (despite Claire not sleeping well) and had bacon butties from Bell's in Penrith. Arriving at Patterdale hotel at 8.25 it was annoying to see that the parking charges had increased by 50% in less than a year...in
fact it seems to have increased since I was there in Jan.
Anyway; we slogged up towards St. Sunday Crag stopping to gasp for air (it was VERY still and already VERY hot) and for me to take photo's. We traversed St. Sunday Crag and thence onto Fairfield. The scramble up Cofa Pike was no problem; however it needed lots of water and a sarnie to get Claire up onto Fairfield. Having seen few people all day (the classic round starts from Rydal) it was nice and gratifying to see that the summit of Fairfield was pretty quiet. A nice lunch stop was taken on the summit and yet more water drained. One of the few problems of this route is that it crosses no watercourses (or go anywhere near them) so it would be a thirsty descent to the car again.
We carried on and climbed onto Hart Crag; the descent of which onto the Gill Crag ridge was a bit of a faff...before a long and lovely descent (with superb views of Dovedale and Deepdale) took us back to the road....just in time for chips!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/FairfieldHorseshoe# - all the pictures are here..
Thursday 2 June 2011
Blencathra via Sharp Edge..
To celebrate this; Claire and I elected to go up Blencathra!! The original plan had been to do the Fairfield Horseshoe; however a late start to the day coupled with my total lack of energy and everything else meant a change of plan.
The fact we got parked outside what used to be the White Horse at Scales was encouraging; there were
clearly folk on the hill but it was not heaving. We climbed slowly, I suspect slower than Claire would have liked! up Mousethwaite Combe and traversed the hillside following the well worn path to Scales Tarn. There were lots of people at the tarn, however quite a few were going left up the steep path to the summit of Blencathra rather than doing the edge. Sharp Edge is supposed to be harder than Striding Edge, although given how loose the latter has become in summer I am now not so sure. We stuck mainly to the crest but ducked down before the final descent to the col. Claire bounced easily up the slab and onto the plateau of Blencathra, where a country slice was consumed.
I found the last few feet of ascent, once off the edge itself, a real struggle - the heat not helping as it was pretty hot. We therefore elected to descend over Scales Fell and back to the car - a lovely descent in a lovely early afternoon.
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/BlencathraViaSharpEdge02#
for all the pictures.
Summer in Cumbria..
As do this clump of trees in lower Swindale..
Monday 30 May 2011
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside....
although forgetting the camera was the wrong side of dumb - and a bit indicative of my mental state (or lack thereof) at the moment.
Claire was working yesterday so I went and ran (quite hard) the short river circuit; in about 19 mins which is pretty good actually - got a good sweat on and it felt good to be out. So today, with Claire off for the week and us both feeling shattered, we headed to Dumfriesshire and a lovely bit of coast that we know.
The forecast was luckily wrong - lets hope it stays so for the rest of the week and we had a lovely couple of hours stroll along by the sea. We had brought wellies so were not too concerned where we wandered...that coupled with a nice lunch was a very good start to the week.....shame about the camera though!!
Claire was working yesterday so I went and ran (quite hard) the short river circuit; in about 19 mins which is pretty good actually - got a good sweat on and it felt good to be out. So today, with Claire off for the week and us both feeling shattered, we headed to Dumfriesshire and a lovely bit of coast that we know.
The forecast was luckily wrong - lets hope it stays so for the rest of the week and we had a lovely couple of hours stroll along by the sea. We had brought wellies so were not too concerned where we wandered...that coupled with a nice lunch was a very good start to the week.....shame about the camera though!!
Saturday 28 May 2011
On holiday again...
so; no posts for the last couple of weeks....this is because it has been a) So hot and sunny in Cumbria I have been out on the hills every day; b) Life has been quiet and dull; c) neither of the above...
Oddly; the answer is c) - the weather has been, frankly, shite and life has been total chaos. Apart from doing a few weights at home; the only real exercise I have done have has been a couple of strolls down by the river with Claire and one trip to the Keswick wall last Sunday. Part of this has been due to Claire's parents being up here - which was REALLY nice btw - and Claire having a bad cold; plus working 1-7 this week.
I have also been running round like a madman trying to find a school to do my GTP training in next year. After two mad weeks; I am going to see Richard Rose on Wed 8th June...hopefully they will offer me a spot - we shall see.
It's now half-term and the forecast for everywhere is rubbish until wed....hopefully it will pick up after that; also we can use the time to get some jobs done as well...oh and there is one more little thing, which I'll blog about later if it happens...
Hope you all have a good bank holiday w/end.
Oddly; the answer is c) - the weather has been, frankly, shite and life has been total chaos. Apart from doing a few weights at home; the only real exercise I have done have has been a couple of strolls down by the river with Claire and one trip to the Keswick wall last Sunday. Part of this has been due to Claire's parents being up here - which was REALLY nice btw - and Claire having a bad cold; plus working 1-7 this week.
I have also been running round like a madman trying to find a school to do my GTP training in next year. After two mad weeks; I am going to see Richard Rose on Wed 8th June...hopefully they will offer me a spot - we shall see.
It's now half-term and the forecast for everywhere is rubbish until wed....hopefully it will pick up after that; also we can use the time to get some jobs done as well...oh and there is one more little thing, which I'll blog about later if it happens...
Hope you all have a good bank holiday w/end.
Monday 2 May 2011
Climbing with Claire...
today was the first time that Claire has climbed in many years....she took to it like a natural.
Our venue was Goat Crag, in the Watendlath valley. This was the place that I had been to with Luke on Fri, and our chosen route was The Slab, the only route we actually got up!!
Without wishing to embarass certain people, our ascent today was a little quicker than on Friday!! It was another lovely day with next to no wind at the crag and, once again, no-one there!!.
A quick re-hash of belaying for Claire, and a run through of the various climbing calls...I then led the route. I placed 3 pieces of gear, one which was rubbish fell out (it had stayed in on Friday but we had two ropes then so there was no angle for the rope to stretch across. Once on top I set up a bomb-proof belay and Claire set off. Claire climbed the first section (probably the technical crux) very well indeed. There was a bit of worry about the quite exposed step across onto the other slab; however once this was accomplished then Claire was on-top in very short order. Even better, this ascent was done in trainers (although she is now in possession of a pair of rock-shoes!!); with excellent footwork - all boding well for the future.
We had a nice ice-cream at Keswick and a quick 20 min play at Carrock Fell for the new shoes to be broken in properly.....now full steam ahead for Scotland in 3 weeks or so...
Our venue was Goat Crag, in the Watendlath valley. This was the place that I had been to with Luke on Fri, and our chosen route was The Slab, the only route we actually got up!!
Without wishing to embarass certain people, our ascent today was a little quicker than on Friday!! It was another lovely day with next to no wind at the crag and, once again, no-one there!!.
A quick re-hash of belaying for Claire, and a run through of the various climbing calls...I then led the route. I placed 3 pieces of gear, one which was rubbish fell out (it had stayed in on Friday but we had two ropes then so there was no angle for the rope to stretch across. Once on top I set up a bomb-proof belay and Claire set off. Claire climbed the first section (probably the technical crux) very well indeed. There was a bit of worry about the quite exposed step across onto the other slab; however once this was accomplished then Claire was on-top in very short order. Even better, this ascent was done in trainers (although she is now in possession of a pair of rock-shoes!!); with excellent footwork - all boding well for the future.
We had a nice ice-cream at Keswick and a quick 20 min play at Carrock Fell for the new shoes to be broken in properly.....now full steam ahead for Scotland in 3 weeks or so...
Sunday 1 May 2011
Tour of Blencathra...
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/TourOfBlencathraMtbRide# has the pictures from today's ride - another amazing day in Cumbria. I am beginning to have nice memories of 1995 and the endless summer that began with a drastic improvement in conditions over easter and then didn't rain for 3 months...hopefully I have not jinxed it...
so; was hoping to go climbing today, however Luke has reacted badly to excercise!! at least more than going up the stairs to get a cup of tea! so he cried off. I elected to take Marvin out for another spin to assess what state he is in; and to make the most of the lovely weather.
The actual ride was a little worrying...I still feel weak on the steep climbs such as the one to the Blencathra centre - its like there is a slow puncture in my energy tank and when I go to it there is not much there. That being said; I got a bit further on the technical ascent up to Skiddaw House which is good; and rode quite well on the journey back. The journey back was into the teeth of quite a strong wind which made the journey quite testing. Even hitting the road section back from Mosedale was not as fast as usual as I was riding right into the teeth of the wind. By the time I got back to the car I was feeling it more than usual...not good at all.
I am slightly worried as to where all my energy and strength has gone. I feel quite good yet there is not much there when push come to shove...
so; was hoping to go climbing today, however Luke has reacted badly to excercise!! at least more than going up the stairs to get a cup of tea! so he cried off. I elected to take Marvin out for another spin to assess what state he is in; and to make the most of the lovely weather.
The actual ride was a little worrying...I still feel weak on the steep climbs such as the one to the Blencathra centre - its like there is a slow puncture in my energy tank and when I go to it there is not much there. That being said; I got a bit further on the technical ascent up to Skiddaw House which is good; and rode quite well on the journey back. The journey back was into the teeth of quite a strong wind which made the journey quite testing. Even hitting the road section back from Mosedale was not as fast as usual as I was riding right into the teeth of the wind. By the time I got back to the car I was feeling it more than usual...not good at all.
I am slightly worried as to where all my energy and strength has gone. I feel quite good yet there is not much there when push come to shove...
Saturday 30 April 2011
The rest of the pictures from yesterday..
https://picasaweb.google.com/102361192587557786751/ClimbingOnGoatCragWatendlath#
doing a few things around the flat today - hopefully back outside tomorrow and Monday....:-)
doing a few things around the flat today - hopefully back outside tomorrow and Monday....:-)
Friday 29 April 2011
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Some images from todays climbing with Luke. The original idea that we had was to go to Grey Crag in Buttermere - however by the time we left Luke's it was about 10 and we were both tired so elected to have day on Shepherds getting some mileage in. However we soon discovered that we were not alone in that thought....so we used our back up plan - Goat Crag. There are several Goat Crags in the Lakes. This one is nearly at the lovely hamlet of Watendlath and that is about all I'm going to say about it as I'd like to go there again - and we saw no-one at all day. This was probably just as well given the way that the climbing went. Luke and I were both suffering from not being out on rock too much - and I still have a massive aversion to trusting my own gear placements - although they actually are quite good!!!!
It didn't seem like that on the first route, a lovely Diff slab that I duly ascended in nice style with two good runners. It's actually a route I soloed later in the day and is very pleasant indeed. After a bit to each I tried to do a Severe - a crack line that Luke had done on his previous visit to the crag. I will freely admit that crack climbing is not my forte at all - I am much happier on slabs and open walls. My footwork was actually ok; however I didn't seem able/willing to trust my gear placements (which we clearly good as Luke lowered off them after his attempt). The key move was a couple of high steps which seemed to be committing i.e not able to reverse; and without an obvious handhold. Looking down from the top (we had to abseil for the gear) the handhold is obvious - Luke did very well to lead this when he was last at the crag.
Luke had a gear at the other severe on the crag - which I say to was yet another crack and was probably undergraded too. An interesting sequence up a greasy pod with holds for the hands only on one side (which Luke decided to make interesting by arranging for all his runners to leap out when he was climbing it!!) brings one underneath a wide crack with an obvious jug out of the reach of all bar basketball players. He arranged so bombproof gear and set to work. On my attempt it proved really arkward; everything was there one just needed to re-arrange one's body in a variety of strange ways; two left feet would have been a distinct advantage for example!! Added to this it was seriously hot and the move was clearly a 'do or fall' and my cowardice came back to the fore - grrrrr...
It is noticeable that this crag does not have an awful lot of gear on some routes - there being a lovely E1 that I would have attempted (the reachy open face climbing being my kind of thing) were it not for the fact it was basically a solo with a revolting landing....the three climbs we did all had good gear it should be said....a very interesting crag though and a great day out. Learning to trust gear is my biggest weakness and one that I need to overcome if I am ever going to really progress in climbing again. I have not had a leader fall since my return to the sport in 2008....I have never really felt I was going to fall off on any of the routes I have done. As I noted earlier; the irony is that my gear placements are usually pretty good...quite why I have a distrust of camming devices I don't know as one did its job perfectly all those years ago on Right Unconquerable on Stanage. In the best interests of aversion therapy I will probably have to eschew some lovely open face climbs for some more cracks I expect. Back when I was going well I found Kipling Groove on Gimmer ( a hard HVS) much easier than the top pitch of Gimmer Crack ( VS)...just suits my style I guess.
 |
| Goat Crag in the afternoon sun |
Some images from todays climbing with Luke. The original idea that we had was to go to Grey Crag in Buttermere - however by the time we left Luke's it was about 10 and we were both tired so elected to have day on Shepherds getting some mileage in. However we soon discovered that we were not alone in that thought....so we used our back up plan - Goat Crag. There are several Goat Crags in the Lakes. This one is nearly at the lovely hamlet of Watendlath and that is about all I'm going to say about it as I'd like to go there again - and we saw no-one at all day. This was probably just as well given the way that the climbing went. Luke and I were both suffering from not being out on rock too much - and I still have a massive aversion to trusting my own gear placements - although they actually are quite good!!!!
 |
| The Slab - Diff |
Luke had a gear at the other severe on the crag - which I say to was yet another crack and was probably undergraded too. An interesting sequence up a greasy pod with holds for the hands only on one side (which Luke decided to make interesting by arranging for all his runners to leap out when he was climbing it!!) brings one underneath a wide crack with an obvious jug out of the reach of all bar basketball players. He arranged so bombproof gear and set to work. On my attempt it proved really arkward; everything was there one just needed to re-arrange one's body in a variety of strange ways; two left feet would have been a distinct advantage for example!! Added to this it was seriously hot and the move was clearly a 'do or fall' and my cowardice came back to the fore - grrrrr...
It is noticeable that this crag does not have an awful lot of gear on some routes - there being a lovely E1 that I would have attempted (the reachy open face climbing being my kind of thing) were it not for the fact it was basically a solo with a revolting landing....the three climbs we did all had good gear it should be said....a very interesting crag though and a great day out. Learning to trust gear is my biggest weakness and one that I need to overcome if I am ever going to really progress in climbing again. I have not had a leader fall since my return to the sport in 2008....I have never really felt I was going to fall off on any of the routes I have done. As I noted earlier; the irony is that my gear placements are usually pretty good...quite why I have a distrust of camming devices I don't know as one did its job perfectly all those years ago on Right Unconquerable on Stanage. In the best interests of aversion therapy I will probably have to eschew some lovely open face climbs for some more cracks I expect. Back when I was going well I found Kipling Groove on Gimmer ( a hard HVS) much easier than the top pitch of Gimmer Crack ( VS)...just suits my style I guess.
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| Watendlath (next to the tarn) |
Monday 25 April 2011
Bouldering...
just had a nice hour playing on Carrock Fell - an hour is about all your skin can manage before it gets ripped to shreds by the rough rock!!
Went and explored the South and South Central areas today; parts of the mountain I had not been on before; largely because they have some pretty hard problems. They also have some more sensible ones; a couple of which I did and a couple more I looked at.
One of these; which is at my absolute limit at V3, seems to involve a ridiculously powerful first move and the rest is pretty easy - it's simply a case of 'are you strong enough'?, to which I must answer no - however it is something to work on.
The other one is a bit more interesting....shame it was the last problem I worked as it seems as if I could do it reasonably soon. Body-tension and how much one can use the right foot seem to be the key to it...something to work on. The holds are so sharp though...only two goes before too much skin was gone.
So; its back to work tomorrow for 3 days....however with Claire working the 4-midnight shift I'll be looking to do something after work most days....hopefully the weather will play ball.
Went and explored the South and South Central areas today; parts of the mountain I had not been on before; largely because they have some pretty hard problems. They also have some more sensible ones; a couple of which I did and a couple more I looked at.
One of these; which is at my absolute limit at V3, seems to involve a ridiculously powerful first move and the rest is pretty easy - it's simply a case of 'are you strong enough'?, to which I must answer no - however it is something to work on.
The other one is a bit more interesting....shame it was the last problem I worked as it seems as if I could do it reasonably soon. Body-tension and how much one can use the right foot seem to be the key to it...something to work on. The holds are so sharp though...only two goes before too much skin was gone.
So; its back to work tomorrow for 3 days....however with Claire working the 4-midnight shift I'll be looking to do something after work most days....hopefully the weather will play ball.
Sunday 24 April 2011
Easter fell-run...
yet another amazing day in Cumbria, and Claire and I decided to go for a fell run to celebrate. A steep ascent of Bowscale Fell from Mungrisedale was followed by the traverse along its plateau to the col under Blencathra. From there we followed the River Glendermackin before climbing back up to the top of Mousethwaite Combe and thence over Souther Fell. The final descent to Mungrisedale dropped us off at the Mill Inn for a sandwich and a beer before staggering the last 500m to the car.
I would guess the total distance to be around 6 1/2 miles...not bad for a third day out on the trot. Not sure what tomorrow will bring - however can't let this weather go to waste.
I would guess the total distance to be around 6 1/2 miles...not bad for a third day out on the trot. Not sure what tomorrow will bring - however can't let this weather go to waste.
Saturday 23 April 2011
Backpacking in the Howgill Fells...
Our first objective was Kensgriff, which has a lovely ridge and fell ponies grazing on it (as can be seen from the picture below). The pull up onto the ridge was heavy going with full packs and in the heat. Once the ridge was crested the majority of the
Howgills became visible; as can be seen on the picasa site ; links in earlier blogs. From the summit; we had a banana and country slice to fortify ourselves; along with some water before commencing the slog up Yarlside.
Yarlside is a mountain that is arguably the most prominent of all the Howgill Fells, despite not being the highest. This is probably because it's not on the main spine of the hills but a little away apart from the Calf/Calders plateau (which is where we were headed).
Summiting Yarlside we descended towards Bowderdale Head where we got a lovely view of Cautley Spout. The path which goes across the top of it before ascending the top of Cautley Crag to Great Dummacks appealed to us both and after lunch this is what we decided to do.
The ascent, in the heat of the day, was hard going; however the views (as usual) were superb. Once past Cautley Spout the volume of people dropped down to zero (as it'd been for most of the rest of the day - we saw one guy on Yarlside and that was it!)
The traffic increased as we climbed to Calders before traversing to the summit of the Calf (the highest point of the Howgill range). At this point we elected to shorten our original objective and traverse near the summit of White Fell Head before climbing Busk Howe and thence (over the Cobbles) to Langdale where we intended to spend the night.
This is the view from the top of the Cobbles, a small bump with many undualtions (hence its name I guess) and no summit...from which a steep descent (something the Howgills have a lot of are VERY steep climbs and descents) took us into Langdale.
Our campsite can be seen suffice to say that it's one of the best pitches I have ever been on...lovely; grassy; flat; with water nearby and superb views....
Supper of pasta and pesto followed with cups of tea and a minature of whisky....really suffering as one can tell.
A great nights sleep followed although we had a little rain overnight and awoke this morning to a few more clouds.
Both of us were feeling a little tired after yesterdays walk and I had blisters on both of my heels - a legacy from the Cross Fell walk a couple of weeks ago. Ergo, we elected to walk along the valley for about 1km, which also gave my heel the chance to loosen up, before ascending the side of Hazelgill Knot. Emerging onto the ridge which runs parallel to Bowderdale we ploughed on over West Fell before descending to Bowderdale - and seeing a party of people ascend who where the first people we had seen since about 3pm the previous day.
All in all - despite aching legs - a fantastic trip
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