Lake District 2nd October 2014

Lake District  Thursday 2nd October 2014

After a couple of poor, rainy, days Tues/Weds, we were ready for a long walk and Thursday the weather was much improved, so off we went, heading for Grisedale Pike.

Grisedale Pike 7.5 Miles, 6.5 Hrs 

 

We parked up just outside the village of Braithwaite, in a small free car park just off the road past the village, heading for Winlatter. Room for about six or so vehicles. We arrived fairly early at 09:00 and set off uphill through a forest track from the car park, no easy start on this one!

After a steep uphill push through the forest, the views opened out, and we rested to admire the views on a blue sky day.

We continued to follow a valley track that started to ascend upwards again for about two miles, before it became much more stony.

The view ahead to Grisedale Pike. Nearer the top there was a scrambly section which takes a little negotiating, not too bad, but does requires use of both arms and legs.

Below: The view from the summit of Grisedale Pike (2593ft), yes thats Sue (bottom left in photo) already descending to our next goal, she is very keen! Hopegill Head is the peak in the very centre of the picture.

Above: View of Hopegill Head

And finally we were there, resting on top of Hopegill Head (2526ft), wonderful open views.

We descended down to Sand Hill and then followed the Mine Track down into the valley, a stoney winding path for about a mile or so, before levelling down to Force Crag Mine. This part of the walk felt a bit tedious, we've walked it on a previous visit, and it's quite slow-going due to the terrain.

From the mine it's then an easier two miles or so back to Braithwaite along a well constructed pretty flat path (wide enough for a vehicle for mine access). Enjoying the valley views.

We alighted back at the car park at 15:30, taking 6.5 hours and a lovely day but quite tired with the ascents and descents.

A funny little coincidence took place on this walk: a fortnight previously, when tackling Helvellyn, a lady was walking the same route up as us. Along the way we had a chat with her, she lives in the Lake District and had climbed Helvellyn several times previously.
After ten minutes or so we bade her good day and off she went on a different route down.

So, fortnight later and we start off on our walk to Grisedale Pike, who was walking the same route at the same time? Yep same lady...


Our Walk Score: 8/10

Lake District 29th September 2014

Lake District Monday 29th September 2014

Monday, and the weather was fair. After a walk on Sunday we decided on a more leisurely day and photographs at Aira Force waterfall near Ullswater.

Aira Force

The National Trust car park at Aira Force just off the Ullswater lake-side road between the A66 and Glenridding is usually busy through the summer season, but not too bad at this time of the year. We paid the fairly expensive car park fee (about £5 from memory I think for 4 hours).
It's a short walk to the lower bridge at the bottom of the falls, about a mile I guess, though quite a bit uphill.

It was good with it not being busy, giving me a chance to set up my SLR camera (Canon 6d) on a tripod, and using a 10 stop neutral density filter and slow shutter speeds: gives the pleasant blurry/milky water effect. The sun shining through the canopy helped too.

Also a chance to get off the path and carefully down to almost stream level, to get shots looking up towards the lower bridge.

A nice steady few hours, then we packed up and walked back to the car, and headed off to Pooley Bridge.

Pooley Bridge (Ullswater)

The plan was to take a motor boat out onto the lake, but this plan soon failed when we found the boat place closed. Ah well, there was always photos and ice cream on such a pleasant day!

The view across Ullswater from Pooley Bridge marina to the Earl of Portland boathouse. You can stay there for mini-breaks (for a price!!)

Reflections on Ullswater

Kirkstone Pass- "The Struggle"

After ice-cream in Pooley Bridge, we headed to Ambleside and I bought a new ruc-sack which doubles as a SLR camera back - a Jack Wolfskin that does both jobs, nice! Then back via "The Struggle" over Kirkstone Pass and to Portinscale. 

Portinscale Marina


An evening photo session, to try out my new camera ruc-sack and some more long exposure shots of the sunset over Portinscale Marina. (Similar to some shots I made earlier in the year but using my new SLR)

Fairly pleased with the top two, not sure about the last one...