Lake District: Day Five

Home tomorrow. No Blencathra today, the heart was willing but the legs and feet weren't. But I am coming back in around eight weeks. Hopefully I can look at Blencathra, have a day off and then Skiddaw. We will have to see. To be honest, the weather has made a hash of what I planned. But Griesdale Pike yesterday was a brilliant experience and I'm looking forward to September.

Full reviews of walks and some items of gesr to come over the next week or so. A couple of beers, a nice meal and a campfire later to finish the week and then the journey home tomorrow.

Signing off for now.

Lake District: Day Four

I had a great day today. Although the weather started out dull it did improve in the nick of time. On the way up Griesdale Pike for the first 400 to 500 meters the weather was letting me down, drizzle and low cloud on the summit. But as I reached the walk/scramble section around 100 meters or so from the top it cleared and the opportunity for some great photographs was had. From there to Sand Hill and then back down to Brathwaite for a pint in the Oaks Arms. A review and photographs to come.

The day has stayed pleasant so a campfire later and the a fairly early night. In the morning, if my feet and legs have recovered, Blencathra.

Lake District: Day Three

The rain today has been pretty constant. Following a fleeting visit to Whitehaven I decided to visit Grasmere. A highly recommended location for a visit. It made a pleasant place to call in even in the rain. Had an excellent sandwich in Baldry's, brie and bacon on homemade bread.

Tomorrows plan is Grisedale Pike located conveniently behind the campsite where I am staying. Thursday will be Blencathra, although the challenge of Sharp Edge will be governed by the weather.

Onward and upward.

Lake District: Day Two

The weather held off all morning so Castle Crag was a pleasant walk if a bit too warm for my liking. An ascent up the west side was interesting with good views of the surrounding landscape. A descent down the east side offered some challenges and very nice terrain. A full review on my return and photographs.

The weather has turned wet late afternoon but still no wind fortuntely. Holiday stuff tomorrow and possibly Blencathra on Wednesday with a very early start as the weather forecast looks poor for the afternoon. I can see Skiddaw from my campsite and the peak is constantly bathed in cloud.

Bye for now.

Lake District: Day One

Well I got to the campsite around dinner time and just had time to put the tent up before the rain came......phew!

This will be a series of short daily posts with a weather update for anyone looking at heading up to Keswick and the surrounding area this week.

I had a walk around the outdoor shops in Keswick beforehand and was quite disappointed at the lack of legwear stocked for us short legged people. I find I am taller than a lot of people I meet so I wonder who they are catering for.

If the weather forecast can be believed I only need to worry about Tuesday being a bad day. We shall see.

Tomorrow I shall be heading off to Castle Crag early in the morning with a trip to Grasmere in the afternoon. My itinery for the rest of the week will depend on the weather a little but Blencathra and maybe Haystacks are on the cards.

Week in the Dales: Day 4 (final day)

Today the weather has been another hit and miss affair. A break in the rain around lunch time saw me head up Simon's Seat. Initially sunny, it turned very grey after I reached the trig point. I managed some photos, including one of me by the trig point kindly taken by a fellow hiker. Shortly after there was rain (shocker)  preceded by 15 minutes of hail. It cleared for a while, just as I returned to camp, so a meal had to wait an hour or so.

So now I'm sat outside the pub for a pint contemplating having to break camp in the morning and go home.

Still, a busy weekend to come, catch up on Game of Thrones, reviews and a couple of walks to add to the blog. Then hopefully a good walk on Sunday with a couple of friends.

Signing off for now.....cheers....hic!

Week in the Dales: Day 3

The weather has been much kinder today. I was starting to think walking in the Dales passed as some sort of rain dance. The walk round the Barden Triangle was brilliant. Trollers Gill is very picturesque. Dibbles Bridge has an interesting story although the bridge itself is nothing out of the ordinary to be honest. Elbolton Hill is well worth the hike, the views are fantastic. The RAB Vapour Rise did really well. I'll expand on all of this at the weekend, loads of photos to come.

Off for a meal and a couple of pints now. Possibly Simon's Seat tomorrow, and hopefully good weather.

Week in the Dales: Day 2

Well yesterday was a wash out. It rained all day and had a storm through the night. Luckily my tent held out, but sleep was a luxury.

This morning I headed off down to the Strid. The weather started off very changeable, but brightened up steadily through the day. The heavy rain made the Strid very impressive. I'll post more pictures when I return home at the weekend, but here's one for now.

Week in the Dales: Day 1 (morning)

I arrived yesterday afternoon and set up camp at Mason's Campsite in Appletreewick (apparently pronounced Apptrick by locals). The weather turned very wet so I had a short walk into Burnsall, the neighbouring village. A fantastic meal in the Craven's Arms followed by an early night.

This morning saw a trip into Skipton where I bought RAB Vapour Rise jacket (a review to follow). I'm now off back to the camp to have a walk down the Dales Way towards The Strid, a local well known waterfall. The Strid is extremely dangerous and anyone falling in is dragged down to the bottom where there are large rocks being swept round washing machine style.

A Busy Week To Come

Next week will be a busy time for me. I will be away camping in the Yorkshire Dales. While there I will be logging several planned walks and testing some gear. I'll be carrying out a test of four competitively priced head torches, a torch that punches above it's weight and several other items. Reviews will follow on my return. Until then, Happy Easter!