CUMBRIA WAY CIRCULAR - 21.4.13


A LITTLE DAMP

Leader Andy writes:

 

A bad weather forecast for most of the day maybe influenced the turnout, but six hardy souls turned up at Fellside. Apart from Derek and myself there were Dave & Pat, two potential new members from Penrith, Chris from Bolton and Lorraine from Wigan.


The rain started before we departed so it was on with the wet gear before we left. I had decided to do the walk in an anti clockwise direction as the mountain forecast was for the cloud base to lift later thus hopefully giving us some views from High Pike. This meant that our goal for lunch was Skiddaw House YHA.

 

After passing Dash falls the lunch venue came into view and as it was still raining it looked a welcome sight, especially as Derek had met the warden and we therefore hoped we would be allowed in even if it was closed. Arriving at 1155 our hopes were dashed as all the doors were locked and even though we could see someone inside they were not answering the door! We therefore had to settle for a bothy type room at the end of the building, which at least was dry!  

After lunch it was down Mosedale, the rain and wind was now behind us. After 3.5 miles we turned left and headed up towards the hut on Lingy Hill where a short break was had and an entry made in the visitors book. Next objective High Pike and despite the forecast the cloud was down and the summit could not be seen.

 

Nevertheless it was found, the bench confirming it was indeed High Pike!  After a compass bearing was taken we made our way down in a northerly direction to the Potts Gill area as the rain stopped and the sun came out! Twenty five minutes later at 1600 we arrived back at Fellside having walked approx 18 miles - 17 of them in the rain!

 

APPROACHING DASH FALLS