Keswick Week Away February 2019
East Lancs spent a week in Keswick in February 2019. Thanks to Jeanette, Rosie and Kim who have sent some pictures of the week.
23/2/2019
Leader Roger Jackson - Walk - Borrowdale , High Spy , Cat Bells 11.5 miles 3000ft ascent.
On a bright sunny day seventeen walkers set off from a car park near Skeigill. Initially following Cat Bells terrace, then at the end, of the lake, continuing on to Grange for our morning coffee ( and cake ) , stop at a delightful café , sat outside in the sunshine. We then headed down Borrowdale valley passing Castle Crag and shortly after turning right up the rather steep Tongue Gill . On route passing through an old mineworks just before reaching the top near Dale Head Tarn. Then another steep climb up to the top of High Spy at 2350ft the highest point the day , also our lunch stop. A little windy but fine views all round. Mostly down hill now dropping onto Maiden Moor at the end of which we had one of the great views in the lakes , looking down on Cat Bells and over to the right Derwent Water with Keswick n the distance. Continuing downwards then a short climb to the top of Cat Bells. Retracing our steps then turned right down the valley to the car park.
24/2/2019
Leader Steve Clark - Walk - Blencathra via Halls Ridge 13.5 miles 3100ft ascent
A party of fourteen walkers set off from Hazelwood House on another fine day , following the old railway line we then headed by forest trail , minor roads and a series of fields.to the picturesque village of Threlkeld. Here we enjoyed a coffee break in the village hall. Now for the hard bi,t back up to the fields and the steep climb up Hall's Fell onto the ridge followed by a pleasant scramble which brought us directly to Blencathra trig point. After photos we dropped down out of the wind for our lunch stop. Next we followed the ridge in the direction of Keswick to eventually turn left steeply downhill towards the Blencathra Centre. From there back towards the old railway line and retrace our steps back to the house.
252/2019
Iain Connell.- Walk- Fellbarrow, Darling Fell & Loweswater 8 miles
Loweswater is only two miles from Crummock Water. To its North is an Open Access area topped by Fellbarrow and Darling Fell, two satisfyingly unvisited but relatively low (by Lakes standard) peaks. On the fourth of six impossibly warm and sunny February days, a couple of car-loads took a non-too-strenuous access route via Pants Lane. The Col With No Name took us to the summit of Fellbarrow (416m), from where fences and walls with stiles lead to Sourfoot Hill (too low for a spot height). Some easy yomping and fence-climbing later we crested Darling Fell (319m), so stunned by the views of Crummack and Boromir (see photo) that we forgot what they're called. A very steep but wholly un-eroded descent - what Lakes paths must have once been like - took us back to the lakeside, from where an easy but oddly confusing - for some anyway - circuit did what it said on the tin.
26/2/2019
Leader Roger Halliwell - Walk - Skiddaw 12.5 miles 3000ft ascent
Again setting off from the house leaving Keswick by the old railway line then over a series of fields to start the climb up 3000ft Skiddaw, via Carl Side. Around half way up , just after passing Ullock Pike on the left we had a short coffee and to get our breath break. Then continued up an extremely steep climb to reach the main ridge, there we turned left for the summit and lunch in the shelter. Onward down the main ridge for half a mile before heading left down to Skiddaw House Hostel in the valley. From here initially followed he Cumbria Way then Glenderaterra Beck down to the Blencathra centre and from there again on to the old Railway line and back to the house..
27/2/2019
Leader Roger Jackson - Walk - Grisedale Pike , Hopegill Head , Grasmoor and Crag Hill , 12.5 miles 4300ft ascent.
Starting off from a small car park in Brathwaite off the Whinlatter road , with a steady ninety minute climb to the top of Grisedale where we had our morning coffee stop with a grand view back down the valley and over to the tops on the other side. We then followed the ridge to Hopegill Head . A quick team photograph , then headed over Sand Hill and dropped down to Coledale Hause. From there , passing waterfalls on our right found a small path up the front of Grasmoor onto the flat summit then continued round the edge to reach the trig point at the far end for our lunch stop in the shelter. Continued round the edge and dropped off Grasmoor and up to the top of Grag Hill. Next. down the Scar a steep path including small scrambles , at the bottom contoured Sail Hill then down the valley , over Outerside and dropped into back into Braithwaite for a pint in the Coledale Inn.
28/2/2019
Leader Steve Clark - Walk - Robinson , Hindscarth , Dale Head , 13.5 miles 3300ft ascent.
On a cloudy but dry day twelve walkers set off from the car park near Skeigill. Initially heading over the fields down to Little Town , over the bridge , up the valley , then a sharp right up a short but steep climb onto the main ridge to Robinson. Nice walk along the top , including two enjoyable scrambles , to eventually reach the summit of Robinson. Bit misty on the top but better views when we dropped down before ascending the shoulder of Hindscarth.to reach our lunch stop at the trig point. then continued along the main path and up to Dale Head top marked by a large cairn , great place for photograph. Now heading down to find a small path on the left which crossed under Dale Head Crags and then zig zagged down to the valley floor. Having crossed the stream we remained on the main path down the valley then turned sharp right , just before Little Town , and then left and with Cat Bells high above us on the right headed back to our parking place at Skeigill.