Monday 3rd June 2013
Monday morning, a reasonable looking day, warm, a little cloudy, a short bike ride was on the cards.
The plan was to cycle out of Braithwaite heading along country lanes/minor roads towards Derwent water South end and back nearer the shoreline roads to Keswick.
However..... this was delayed, as we set off, and only a few hundred yards along the first road, my bike chain snapped. Luckily we had not got far, and walked the bike back to base.
The bike carrier came out, hooked onto the Hyundai Santa Fe, and bike was transported to the nearby Cyclewise shop at Whinlatter. The chain link was repalced and fixed quickly, and we set off finally around 11:30.
The Satmap was used on the newly aquired bike mount, on the newly aquired bike, and we attempted to get to grips with this newly discovered cycling thing.
The first few miles were easy, and enjoyable once the roads became a bit more traffic free, and the views of the surrounding fells was enjoyed as we cycled, played around with the gears and generally tried to make out like we knew what we were doing.
It did get a bit hilly (for us at this early stage in our cycling proficiencies), and we did end up walking the bikes a bit.
Think of it as a walk, but you have to wheel the bike a bit I told Susan!
We never got as far as the South end of the lake, and after pushing uphill a bit more than we like, we took the easy option to head towards Keswich and some nice downhill riding nearer the lake shore side. Very nice it was too!
No pictures, but we arrived in Keswick town centre, parked the bikes at the nearest pub beer garden, and had a drink. We then locked the bikes, had a look around a bit, and peddles off a little further towards the filling station diner. Their huge plates of various styled burgers and sweet potato fries are legendary.
The Filling Station Cafe - Keswick
We arrived back at the cottage late-ish afternoon, having had an enjoyable half-day ride/relax in Keswick.
Tuesday 4th June 2013
The Coledale Horseshoe
Pathfinder North & West Lakeland - Walk#28 (12 Miles)
Tuesday morning, a fine and sunny morning, and we decied to tackle the Coledale Horseshoe route out of Braithwaite. The car stayed at home today.
There are a few variations of this well know route, but most start out in or near Braithwaite, and there are a few variations over which fells are visited.
Some versions appear to omit Causey Pike, and take in Barrow and Outerside, but most or all visit Scar Crags, Eel Crag(Crag Hill) , Sail and Grisedale Pike.
Graham above is pleased the weather is so nice, and thinking of the walking delights that lay ahead that day!
Having looked at the Pathfinder guidebook, Wainwrights biblical guide and the Fellranger guidebook, a route was decided. Rather than tackle Causey Pike from the Uzzicar end and its Eastern approach we decided a different approach following the Stile End path from Braithwaite, peeling off the valley below Outerside to head up the Western flank of Causey Pike. The terrain on this approach is more agreeable regards rock and steepness particularly at the top end of the Eastern approach to the summit. Though it does require a little "doubling back" along the ridge line path from the summit.
We had already been up both Barrow and Outerside last year, and eliminated this as an option of walking the route to Sail and possibly omitting Causey Pike.
We set off around 10:00, walking through the village and the Barrow Gill path into the valley towards Stile End. Good views back over the village as we made a slight and slow ascent, and then flatter as we entered into the more open space of the valley.
The morning was warm, and in the distance above can be seen the distinctive humps of Causey Pike, the first objective.
The path out of Braithwaite was excellent, and fairly easy going with little effort required, just enjoy the valley views before ascending!
A figure on the ridge line going the Eastern approach route.
Below: The Pike getting nearer, and the path getting rockier.
Looking back down the valley path.
Looking ahead and nearing the left turn point near the bottom of Outerside.
The path we took was distinctive on the ground, but less so on the OS map. I guess many have trodden this easier route. Below, looking back at the valley path from the beginning of the turn up to Causey Pike.
The path was fairly steep, though not too bad, and we ascended to the main path ridge with little difficulty. By now it was getting very warm though!
A fairly easy walk along the now rockier ridge line towards Causey Pike, saw a final pull to the first of several "summit" humps, the last one been the actual summit. Wainwright Fell no.1 of the day.
The view down from Causey Pike (2090ft) summit down to Outerside and both Bassenthwaite/Derwent Water visible, the Skiddaw range and Keswick.
After a snack (it was now coming up to mid-day), we rested a while, before making a slight descent back the way we came, and followed the ridge line back to the valley ascent path. Here, we continued along the ridge line insted of taking the ascent path back down, and headed towards the next objective of Scar Crags a little further along the ridge.
The going was a bit rockier in places, but generally a clear path with superb views each side of the ridge line.
Scar Crags (2205ft) was marked by a small pile of stonse cairn. In the distance can be seen the winding path up to Sail. A sharp-ish descent down from Scar Crags and we were at the bottom of the winding track up to Sail. Wainwright No.2 completed.
A few regular stops along the snake like path up Sail, and we were soon at the Summit. The view looking back down the path shows its winding nature, and also the ridge line path all the way back to Causey Pike.
The flat top summit of Sail (2536ft), and just marked by an even smaller pile of cairn stones surrounded by an island of bog, still wet on such a hot day. No.3 Wainwright in the bag
A short descent from Sail presented another ridge path to follow, but even rockier, with a couple of sections requiring a little hands on minor srambling around the edges of these short sections. Don`t look down if you do not get on with rocky heights.
Once past all this, pause for breath, and enjoy a short easy flat section to the summit cairn of Crag Hill (Eel Crag) at 2749ft. Rest and enjoy the views, we certainly did, pausing to reflect at the 4th Wainwright fell of the day.
The descent down from here was easier, grassy terrian, down to the main path at the head of the valley. (The end of the horseshoe). Here there are many branches in different directions to either Wandope/Whiteless Pike or Grassmoor or Grisedale Pike/Hopegill Head. Our original intentions were to follow the guidebook route here and head off towards Grisedale Pike.
However, with Wandope in easy sight, we were distracted by what looked (and was) an easy walk over to this summit and promise of a fantastic view back to the ridge we had walked.
The grassy and short/slow ascending path to Wandope (2533ft) was easy, and we admired the sideways views of the ridge we had walked. The 5th Wainwright fell of the day.
Consulting ther map and spotting nearby fells. We could also see a small cairn in the distance, looking like Whiteless Pike. We decided it would be rude not to investigate further.
However, arriving at the small cair stone, we discovered this was not the summit of Whiteless Pike, but could see this ahead, but some distance away. This would require a short dessent down, then up, then to come back. we decided to go for it!
All of this took a good bit more time (and effort) than expected, and a bit rockier than envisaged. However it was worth it, as we now had some good views down to Buttermere and Crummock Water. Whiteless Pike (2165ft) and the 6th Wainwright today (good for us!)
Looking back towards Whiteless Pike summit as we headed back the way we came.
This Jolly diversion bagged us 2 Wainwrights and some fine views, but added some time onto the journey. With Grisedale Pike still to do and a longish trek back to Base. Once we finally got back to the point off Crag Hill below the base of Grassmoor, the decision based upon time and tiredness was not to attempt Grisedale Pike. At Coledale Hause we did the sensible thing and took the "escape route" down into the valley along the Force Crag mine path.
The path down to the valley was rocky though not especially steep, but it was quite long, and did not even out till near the mine.
Once at the mine, the track back to Braithwaite (Approx 2 miles more) was wide, and suitable for vehicles gaining access to the mine.
We arrived back in Braithwaite around 19:00, having spent 9 hours out.
For us this had been a long, hard (and warm) day.
The views had been spectacular, and we will no doubt return soon the tackle the other fells in this area (Grasmoor, Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Whiteside).
Bath, Beer and food were required.
Our Walk Score: 9/10
No comments:
Post a Comment