Blencathra via Hall's Fell

A stiff ascent on a wintry day with Ian Lyne.

Route: Leaving the car the Horse and Farrier and taking the path by the stream from the centre of Threlkeld, crossing the stream and then diagonally across very muddy fields to the foot of Hall's Fell. Ascending, initially sticking close to the top of the ridge but later allowing some diversions to the left to avoid greasy and slippy rocks (one ridge-top section taken à cheval). Reaching the top in snow and cloud with some ice under foot. Then along to the west to descend Blease Fell on a recently re-engineered path though still steep in places.

Conditions: Cloudy and cold with snow on the top, greasy rock and later snow under foot.

Pub: The Horse and Farrier at Threlkeld for Jennings Snecklifter.

10km run north of Ings

A 10km run onto the common between Hugill Fell and Sour Howes from Ings on tracks and muddy paths.

Route: From the pub at Ings, taking the small steep road to Grassgarth and beyond on a stony track before taking a slight right turn towards Kentmere. Then in very muddy conditions on level ground across the common to reach a junction of paths by Park Beck. Turning sharp right heading south east on a path, sometimes pitched, sometimes grass to descend into the Kentmere valley before turning right along a very muddy track just before the river at Ulthwaite Bridge. Then up the road climbing quite steeply back onto the hillside near Williamson's Monument becoming a gravel track again.Through Heights Farm and then right along a muddy bridleway (rather than left on a road), and another right to descend, at little more than walking pace, a very rocky track then to rejoin the outward route half a mile from Ings.

Conditions: Cloudy and a brief shower but mild for November. Very wet under foot.

Pub: The Watermill at Ings for Watermill Wruff night and Eden Gold.

Wansfell Pike

A short walk in dramatic, fast-changing conditions with Angie, Alistair and Jake.

Route: From the lower Ambleside car park, through town and via Stock Ghyll Force to the main western path to the top (quite busy). Down the southern ridge via the observatory (not meeting a soul) and back.

Conditions: Initial low cloud, occasional heavy bursts of rain and even a snow shower on the top - but not the forecast lightning!

Pub: Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall for NZPA, WPA, Cumbria Five Hop, Drystone Stout and a mug of tea!

The Downland Run

An organised 10 mile run with Steve Mitchell (and 200 others).

Route: From the meadow near the Motor Road approach to the old Lewes Race Course near Wallands School, running first downhill, round a marker and then back, past the start, to climb onto the ridge of the Downs. Along some narrow paths past Mount Harry, Blackcap and onto Plumpton Plain. Descending a spur  to the south and then up the other side before a level run followed by another descent into trees and a slow and muddy climb out of Aschombe Bottom before returning on a line just to the north of the outward route.

Conditions: Sunny and surprisingly warm for October.

Pub: No pub! Lunch chez Steve and Alison and then later, on the way home, a Black Star pale ale at the Euston Tap.

Harrison Stickle

A short steep ascent with JPS.

Route: From the National Trust carpark, the path out and trending left to rise to a low spur and then right along that past a bench to a style. Not crossing the Dungeon Ghyll but ascending on a discreet pitched path up and round Pike Howe and then to the right of the gorge to climb behind Harrison Stickle and thence to the summit. Descending on the path below Loft Crag.

Conditions: Cloudy and a cold breeze.

Pub: the Stickle Barn for Coniston Bluebird.

Red Screes and Caudale Moor

A surprisingly quiet two pub horseshoe walk.

Route: From a layby (opposite a bus stop) approaching the Brotherswater Inn, a footpath across the drumlins to a footbridge and then a left turn on a more major track. At a wall, a sharp right turn very steeply up hill, drifting left onto the middle of the ridge and then further left to cross a lateral wall before zigzagging to the summit of Middle Dodd. Then on to the summit of Red Screes before taking the steep descent to the Kirkstone Inn for a mid-walk stiffener. Taking the steep and surprisingly rocky footpath behind the pub before turning first north and then east to reach the summit of Caudale Moor. Then retracing our steps and following a couple of substantial cairns to find the ridge of Rough Edge and steeply down to the Brotherswater Inn and, later, the car.

Conditions: Cloudy and weakly sunny with a cold breeze.

Pub: the Kirkstone Inn for Heskett Newmarket Skiddaw and Kirkstone Black. The Brotherswater Inn for Cumberland Breweries Corby Blonde.

Head of Longsleddale 8 mile run

A tough linear run towards the head of head of Longsleddale

Route: from the carpark at Longsleddale church, along the road to Sadgill and then the continuing stony track towards Gatescarth, past Buckbarrow Crag and steepening at a pitched zigzag before easing out into a comb at Brownhowe Bottom to pause at bridge over the stream. Then back.

Conditions: cool, cloudy sun.

Pub: Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall for WPA and Red.

Claife Heights 7 mile run

A hot sticky run on Claife Heights and back along the lake, largely on forest trails.

Route: from Firbank, along Cuckoo Brow Lane past Moss Eccles Tarn over to Scab Moss and then along a forestry commission road down to Wray. Along a metalled road to its end at Beyond Fields and Red Nab then taking the undulating lakeside path before trending to the right up hill to cross the shoulder of the hill and drop back into Far Sawrey behind the pub.

Conditions: hot and sticky with hazy views.

Pub: Cuckoo Brow Inn for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold.

A Coledale Horseshoe via Hobcarton End

A substantial horseshoe on an end of summer day.

Route: From the carpark at the start of the conventional Grisedale Pike route, taking the road up towards the Whinlatter Forest Park, which might have been less busy than normal because of false 'road closed' signs. At the Revelin Moss carpark, taking the forest road to the right and then, in accord with Mark Richards' advice, following it round to the right and then the next left 20 yards later and the next left 10 yards later still up a dark 'tunnel' of trees becoming darker, narrower and damper under foot before reaching the hillside. Then across bare rising ground to the summit of Grisedale Pike. To Hopegill Head and down to Coledale Hause before a brief scramble up a gentle chimney to the top of Ell Crag. Down over Sail to Sail Pass and up to Outerside and Stile End and then down to Braithwaite and back to the car.

Conditions: Cloudy and sunny.

Pub: Middle Ruddings, Braithwaite, for Heskett Newmarket Haystacks and Cumberland Breweries Corby Blonde.

Kendal to Staveley via Paddy Lane, Meal Bank and Potter Fell Road

An 11.7 mile (18.8 km) road run round the Kendal valley.

Route: From home, up the hill to the Station Inn and then along Hayclose Lane and Paddy Lane to cross the A684. Down to Meal Bank taking the rough road through the Dell to cross the river Mint at the mill. Then rising northwards taking the first left bend then right and left along 'Back Lane': in reality crossing a field for 200 yards before a farm track and road to cross the A6. Through Garth Row to cross the river Sprint and rise very steeply up the hill turning before right and then left to reach the Potter Fell Road. Along this eventually to approach Staveley taking the path off the road to cross a foot bridge to the Mill Yard and the Brewery.

Conditions: Cloudy but warm with some sun later.

Pub: The Hawkshead Brewery for WPA and Five Hop.

Head of Kentmere 15km run

A ground level run round the top of Kentmere on roads and tracks.

Route: Leaving the car riskily parked at the Waterfoot factory and taking the road north towards Kentmere but turning right to Green Quarter, dipping down and then rising steeply towards Brockstones and Hallow Bank and then descending to the valley floor to Overend where the road becomes a stony track to Tongue House. Then by a narrow grassy path, marshy in places to reach the foot bridge just south of Kentmere Reservoir. Back along the bridleway, first down hill and then rising above Hartrigg, descending and rising again (pictured) just before Kentmere. Then back along the road to the car.

Conditions: Cloudy but warm with weak sun later.

Pub: The Hawkshead Brewery for WPA and NZPA.

Fairy Steps and Dallam Park

A 4 mile walk through parkland, woodland and briefly on limestone in heavy rain with Derek, Naina and the girls.

Route: From the pub car park in Beetham, north past Heron Corn Mill and into Dallam Park. Following a pause by a tree in sight of deer, doubling back to cross the narrow road through the park to join a footpath to Cockshot Lane. A brief pause in the heaviest rain and then right along the road before a signed left turn to take a long straight path to the bottom of the Fairy Steps. Sadly touching both sides (and thus seeing no fairies) to reach the top with little view back over the estuary because of low cloud before getting lost in the woods and arriving back to where we'd been earlier. Using the iphone to take a bearing to Beetham, reaching the main road back to the pub.

Conditions: Cloud then heavy rain with a very few rays of sunshine at the end.

Pubs: The Wheatsheaf at Beetham for Lancaster Decathlon Gold (and lunch).

Preston to Kendal

A 60 mile postscript to the Norwich to Chester cycle trip.

Route: having taken a train from Chester to Preston, first a standard cycle commute to UCLan and then due east to reach Sustrans Route 6 out of the city. Briefly lost near the motorway, a detour on the Guild route back to Grimsargh and then back on Route 6 through Goosnargh and points north. Spurning coffee at Scorton, on via country roads on either side of the M6 to reach lunch in the blowy garden of The Stork at Conder Green. Then on the Lune Estuary cycle path: a smooth cindered disused railway line to reach Lancaster. Some confusion before gaining a great canal tow path cycle route over an aqueduct and then along through Hest Bank and Bolton le Sands with views of Morecambe Bay and hills beyond to reach the Brief Encounter Refreshment Rooms at Carnforth Station for a cream tea. Thence, by standard routes, home.

Conditions: initial cloudy sun and a light shower giving way to cooler cloudy conditions.

Pubs: The Stork at Conder Green for Lancaster Blonde and Lancaster Amber. Later Burgundy’s, Kendal, for Kendal Brewing Co Tenter Hooks and Fallons Lancastrian Gold.

Buxton to Chester

A 56 mile day, initially over steep peak district hills and then across the Cheshire plain: the final day of the Norwich to Chester cycle trip.

Route: Leaving Buxton in a long climb up the Manchester Road (also called the Long Hill) before turning left onto c roads through Goyt Valley, down and steeply up past Errword Reservoir and Nym’s Chair in low cloud and drizzle before descending to Bollington for a coffee in a deli off a street just as rain began to fall (raisin cider cake just out of the oven). Then in torrential rain out and over Alderley Edge and past The Wizard of Edge to descend to the Cheshire plain and reach The Bells of Peover, Lower Peover for lunch in their manicured gardens in sun. Afterwards another heavy downpour before afternoon tea at Delamere Forest Park Café and then on minor roads (and first on new tarmac on a closed road) before circling round Chester to enter from the north east.

Conditions: initial low cloud and warm drizzle followed by torrential rain, then sun for lunch, and more heavy rain and finally a sunny evening.

Pubs: The Bells of Peover, Lower Peover for Robinsons, Dizzy Blonde and later Old Harker’s Arms, Chester, for West Coast Brewing Co Riptide, Westwood Cheshire Cat, Monty’s Sunshine, Brunning & Price Original.

Loughborough to Buxton

A 66 mile route making good use of Sustrans Route 6 along paved and unpaved disused railway lines. 

Route: Starting by finding Sustrans route 6 out of the town and then across country over the M1. Then a diversion from it on country roads to regain it, and make rapid progress, as it followed a paved disused railway line. Briefly lost in Melbourne, before finding quiet roads to reach Repton for coffee, just outside the town at the rather disorganised Repton Tea Rooms and to the backdrop of public school cricket. Again following Route 6 to Ashbourne, descending into the town and then mistakenly taking the tunnel underneath it before having a pint (and eating lunch) inside a bunting-strewn Smith’s Tavern. Afterwards, oever the hill (that the tunnel cuts off) to find the start of the Tissington Trail: a smooth cinder rising very gradually up hill for 13 miles, at first in trees then open in beautiful Peak District countryside, to reach a tea stop at Parsley Hay junction near the top of the Tissington Trail (ice cream, tea in disposable cups, tea cake or Twix). Finally after the last few miles of Tissington Trail, a beautiful ride in via Earl Sterndale in bright evening sunshine with steep ascents and descents to reach Buxton

Conditions: Cloudy sun giving way to a bright and sunny evening.

Pubs: Smith’s Tavern, Ashbourne, for Jennings Cocker Hoop, Marston EPA, Ringwood Forty Niner and later Nat’s Kitchen, Buxton, for Buxton Brewery Buxton Bitter and (later still) Thornbridge Jaipur IPA.

Wisbech to Loughborough

A 76 mile trip initially across flat fens and then rolling hills.

Route: Starting on empty straight fenland roads past drainage canals to reach Crowland (three-way ancient stone bridge, ruined abbey) for coffee at the Old Copper Kettle. Then in more rolling country, crossing under the East Coast main line to find two pubs at Castle Bytham closed and so on for a lunchtime pint in the garden of the very posh Olive Tree in Clipsham. On, as the day deteriorated, to reach Melton Mowbray to find, eventually, afternoon tea at Off the Beaten Track. Then cycling first up hill in rain and then along the ridge on a busy B road to descend to Loughborough.

Conditions: initially hot and sunny, then cloudy and then low cloud and rain.

Pub: The Olive Tree in Clipsham for Grainstore Brewery (Oakham) Olive Ale and, later, The Swan in the Rushes, Loughborough for Castlerock Elsie Mo, Castlerock Harvest Pale, Ossett Red, Kelham Island Pale Rider.

Norwich to Wisbech

A flat 66 miles across Norfolk: the first day of the Norwich to Chester cycle trip.

Route: Starting from Norwich along Sustrans Route 1 on a very muddy cycle path before leaving it for quicker small roads for coffee at Reepham (close to the conjoined churches of St Michael’s and St Mary’s joined together; coffee sitting on the pavement outside a full 'Slice of Heaven' coffee shop). Then on small roads to reach the The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham for lunch. Across rolling countryside before afternoon (cream) tea at the visitor centre on Green Quay in King’s Lynn and then very flat dull cycling - although past the amazing Saxon bell tower in West Walton - to reach Wisbech.

Conditions: warm although mainly cloudy; some sun later.

Pub: The Dabbling Duck, Great Massingham for Beeston Brewery Worth the Wait, Humpty Dumpty Reedham Gold and Rutland Queensberry House and The Red Lion on North Brink in Wisbech for Elgood’s Cambridge Bitter and 100-mile Daschund (raspberry).

Loughrigg Fell summit and cavern

Loughrigg summit

A Sunday summit with Steve and Tom.

Route: From the White Moss car park, taking the first footbridge and thence to, and along, Loughrigg Terrace before turning up left to reach the summit. Then down on a little-used grassy track in valleys and across patches of marshy ground to arrive at the cave (and meet Kathryn, Lois and Alex).

Mike the Knight looks for Vikings 

Then back to the car along the obvious higher path.

Conditions: Cloudy but warm and with some sun.

Pub: The Wateredge Inn for Hawkshead Windermere Pale.

Helm Crag

Steve and Tom at the top!

A short, stiff climb with Steve and Tom Woodcock.

Route: Leaving the car in a nearly empty Broadgate Meadow car park to take the Easedale Road past Lancrigg vegetarian B&B and then the standard route up Helm Crag beside ongoing Fix the Fells repitching work.

Resting in Far Easedale

A detour to the top of the southern summit, bypassing the northern one, before a descent to the saddle and then taking the route west, for the first time, to drop down a steep but mainly grassy path, meeting Lois, Kathryn and Alex at Stythwaite Steps and then returning on the valley-bottom bridleway.

Conditions: Cloudy but dry, with a spell of sunshine on the summit.

 Pub: Tweedies Bar for Cumbrian Legendary Ales American Invasion.

Alston to Kendal cycle ride

A 67-mile ride over two lengthy Pennine passes and through empty country between the fells.

Route: From Alston taking the B6277 rising very gradually to cross the Pennines (summit around 600m) and then descending Teesdale for 12 miles to reach Middleton-in-Teesdale for coffee. Then taking the B6276 first steeply and then gradually rising onto moorland with views over Selset Reservoir. A surprise descent and steep ascent at Grains o’ th’ Beck and further ascent to the top of the pass (just over the Cumbria border) before a short descent to Brough. Smaller roads via Great Musgrave to Kirkby Stephen for a pint at the King’s Arms. Then a sharp ascent on the A683 and a gradual rise through a busy gypsy encampment (the week before the Appleby horse fair) before a long descent to Sedbergh and tea. Finally a murderous ascent via Killington to reach Old Hutton and home.

Conditions: Warm sunshine and cool when cloudy.

Pubs: The King’s Arms Kirkby Stephen for Dent Aviator at lunchtime.

Kendal to Alston cycle ride

A surprisingly tough 50-mile ride against a headwind on a dark and cold June day.

Route: From the house taking the WtoW route along Paddy Lane and then by small roads to cross the motorway near Lambrigg, under the viaduct at Beck Foot and then along the empty road under the Howgills eventually to join the A685. Leaving the WtoW route to continue along this to Tebay and thence to Orton for coffee. North over Orton Scar, through Crosby Ravensworth, to the White Horse Inn at King’s Meaburn for a pint. Thence via Temple Sowerby and Skirwith to Melmerby for tea in the village bakery and over the 1900ft Hartside pass on the A686 to cross the Pennines north of Cross Fell (pictured) and a slow and chilly descent to Alston.

Conditions: Cold and threatening with a headwind but no rain.

Pubs: The White Horse Inn at King’s Meaburn for Allendale Curlew’s Return and The Cumberland Hotel at Alston for Barngates Tag Lag, Barngates Red Bull Terrier and Hesket Newmarket Helvellyn Gold (and supper).

Nettle Hill and Smardale

A short walk over moorland and back along a disused railway with Mike and Janet Hornby and Neil.

Route: Leaving the car at Crosby Garret and taking a bridleway heading south west rising across the moorland before detouring to the summit of Nettle Hill. Thence back to the path until it reached a return path over Begin Hill, the site of ancient settlements, and eventually down onto the disused railway over Smardale Gill Viaduct and through Demesne Wood. Then back along a narrow road to the starting point.

Conditions: Cool and cloudy with few views.

Pubs: The King’s Head at Ravenstonedale for Hawkshead Windermere Pale and Marstons Diamond (jubilee) as well as lunch.

The North Rim of Langdale

A long day's walk, based at the cottage, spotting Angie and Alistair from the summit of Loft Crag.

Route: Leaving the car at Elterwater and taking the top road towards Chapel Stile to reach the start of the path by Meg's Gill and thence to Spedding Crag and the summit of Silver How. Then pathless over Lang How, Raw Pike, Great Castle How to Blea Rigg. Along the ridge to Sergeant Man and then round the marshy rim of the valley to Thunacar Knott, Harrison Stickle, Pike o' Stickle and Loft Crag. Then down on the west side of Dungeon Gill to Stickle Barn for a quick half and along the Cumbria Way to Wainwright's Inn where we were met by Angie and Alistair.

Conditions: Cool and cloudy but very still on the tops.

Pubs: The Stickle Barn for halves of Barngates Tag Lag and Jennings Tom Fool and later Wainwright's Inn for Hesket Newmarket Loughrigg and Jennings Sneck Lifter.

The Martindale Horseshoe

A surprisingly long but empty horseshoe.

Route: From Martindale church, picking a route onto the ridge of Steel Knotts, Brownthwaite Crag and up onto the broad boggy ridge of the Far Eastern Fells, over Red Crag and High Raise. Then down over Rampsgill Head to pick up the Coast to Coast path (ignoring, today, The Knott and Rest Dodd) to reach Angle Tarn. Round to the west to reach the taller northern summit of Angle Tarn Pikes (like a mini Stac Polly). And then along the two mile ridge of Beda Fell to Beda Head, dropping down to the east just before the very end and then a half mile walk back to the car.

Conditions: Some sun but cloudy and cool on the tops

Pub: The Gate Inn at Yanwath for Barngates Catnap and Tirril Academy.

Portovenere to Riomaggiore

A coastal walk along a ridge of hills descending to the Cinque Terre.

Route: From beside the castle at Portovenere, a very steep set of steps and then a stony path to climb onto the ridge on route 1. Along this past Campiglia and eventually to Telegrafo. Then descending on route 3 to Riomaggiore and then a train back.

Conditions: Warm and sunny though some sea mist.

Pub: A glass of local Cinque Terre rosso at Bar Gastronomia I Quattro Venti, Campiglia.

Viano to Aiola and back

A walk out from Il Fortino on less used local paths.

Route: From the far end of Viano on the lower TL (Trekking Lunigiana) 12 path to the end of the ridge and then down hill through trees on a rough track to reach Campiglione/Vezzanello. Then a spurious circuit of the upper village before descending on the road to regain the proper path at the church. Then across the hillside to reach a road at Terina and then back on tracks to join the road above Monzone. From a footbridge across the river, an ancient pitched path to reach Aiola with a view back to Viano (pictured). Back in the same way but following the correct path from the church to Vezzanello.

Conditions: Warm and sunny.

Pub: A bottle of La Matta amber on a wall in Aiola.

Vinca to the Foce di Navola loop

An walk to the enclosing ridge of the valley above Vinca.

Route: From Vinca picking up route 175 switchbacking first within trees and then across the grassy hillside to approach, though not quite reach, the previous day’s saddle. Then along route 37 to a tall dark forest and through it to reach a windy ridge at Foce di Navola (with views into the next valley sadly obscured by clouds). Then an attempt to reach Foce di Vinca stopped by the third or fourth cabled section of path and so back instead on a poorly marked connection to route 38 and then back to Vinca.

Conditions: Dark and windy to start, some rain later, then dry.

Pub: Bar Sport in Monzone for Moretti on draft.

Foce Siggioli, Il Giovetto and Foce di Giovi

An walk and scramble around the spectacular Pizzo D’Ucello.

Route: From the Rifugio Donegani along route 187, a marked but minor route weaving through trees to reach the saddle at the Foce Siggioli. Then along route 181 under the main mountain with a couple of cabled paths (one up hill in an enclosed chute and one round a spur of hill) to reach Il Giovetto and then Foce di Giovi. An attempt to go further on 179 having been blocked by snow, a descent on route 37 eventually (and obviously incorrectly!) descending on quarry roads through the noisy marble quarry and back to the refuge.

Conditions: Cloudy becoming sunny.

Pub: To the Bar Arianna in Minucianno for bottled Moretti.

Equi Terme to Castellacio

An short post-lunch stroll on wooded paths.

Route: From Equi Terme picking up route 39 on the edge of town to climb gradually up and round the hillside in trees on a stony path, passing Aiola to reach the runied fortification at Castellacio and then back along the same path.

Conditions: Warm and sunny.

Pub: Back home to Il Fortino, Viano for bottled Moretti.

Sergeant Man

An ascent via the tarns with Ian and M.

Route: Leaving the car by arrangement at Tweedies Bar to take the Easedale road to the main pitched path to Easedale Tarn for M to leave a solemn rose at the site of her father's ashes. Then on the path to Coledale Tarn, and round it to find Wainwright's grassy shelf - as wide as an arterial road' - turning up hill on the main path to reach the summit. Back down the main path towards tarns after a short heavy shower.

Conditions: Despite a poor forecast, cloudy with some sun to the top and only a single heavy shower before a warm evening.

Pub: Tweedies for lunch and Hardnott Continuum and Loweswater Gold  before the walk. The Badger Bar for Barngates Tenacious Ted afterwards.

Cycle circuit of the Lyth Valley

A cycle ride and pub crawl on an amazingly sunny spring day.

Route: to Natland, Sizergh and the road to Levens continuing along the W2W route to the Derby Arms. Then on the higher level minor road from Witherslack to Crosthwaite and on to the Punch Bowl at Underbarrow. Then to Crook and initially along the road towards Ings before turning right to climb to a summit and then descend a gated road to Staveley and the Hawkshead Brewery. Back along the higher level 'back' road to Burneside and home through Kendal.

Conditions: blissfully sunny and warm.

Pubs: The Derby Arms, Witherslack, for Stringers The North Will Rise Again. The Punch Bowl at Underbarrow for Cumberland Corby Blonde. Hawkshead Brewery (beer festival), Staveley, for Hawkshead USPA and Black Isle Goldeneye.

Skiddaw via Ullock Pike

A fine high-level horseshoe route.

Route: Leaving the car in the centre of Bassenthwaite, taking paths across fields to join, briefly, the Orthwaite Road and hence to the start of a bridleway onto the fell side. Leaving the gently rising wide path for an undulating trod along the summit of the Watches and thus up to the top of Ullock Pike. Along the ridge keeping close to the edge of Southerndale and via the sloping scree path onto the top of Skiddaw. Down the fence to Bakestall and then Birkett Edge to join the Cumbria Way at Dash Falls and then back across very wet and muddy fields to Bassenthwaite.

Conditions: Initially warm and sunny but, on the top, a bitterly cold day. Lots of blue sky and clear views to Criffel and Snaefell.

Pub: The Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite for Jennings Cocker Hoop (before and after!).

Cunswick Scar and Scout Scar 10km run

A 10km run with Steve M.

Route: Leaving the car at the Riflemans, along Serpentine Road and Queen's Road to the Tramway and then, via the quarry, to cross the golf course and along to the Cunswick Scar cairn. Then back along the ridge, past the car park to the Mushroom. Then to the trig point and a left turn just short of the gate in the corner, down and back along the 'trippy path' to the race course and back down Brigsteer Road to the car.

Conditions: Cloudy and some light drizzle

 Pub: The Riflemans for Abbot and Batemans XXXB.

Steel Fell via Wythburn Dale

A post-flu short walk, the first of the season, after six weeks of rain and heavy skies.

Route: From the Steel End water authority car park at the southern end of Thirlmere, taking the path on the north side of the Wythburn (marshy but frozen) picking a way between areas of frozen surface water, to cross a footbridge to the southern side thence slowly gaining altitude to reach the remains of Wythburn Tarn (pictured). Thence, cutting up to the left uphill, pathless, to reach the summit ridge near two frozern tarns. Along the southern edge of the ridge to the summit of Steel Fell and very steeply down the north east ridge, back to the car park.

Conditions: Bitterly cold and windy in the valley and cold with occasional sun on the top.

Pub: The Traveller’s Rest for Jennings Sneck Lifter.