Sale Fell

An initially unpromising ascent of a tiny fell which turned out to have points of interest.

Route: form the car park at the end of the old A65 near Hursthole Point, heading 100m north as far as a footpath on the left signed Wythop Hall and taking this rising through trees to a forestry track. Not seeing the continuation of the path across the track, following the track left and then looping back to where the footpath must have rejoined it higher up and then along to steps descending to the right. Down over a stream and then climbing to another forestry track and turning right along this through evidence of tree felling to reach the C2C bridleway. Along this to climb out of Wythop Woods and onto the Wythop hanging valley. Turning right to follow an obvious path to the fellside where a right-left dogleg reached a diagonal path across gorse and eventually to the summit. Back via the easterly subsidiary summit and then back down the C2C route to the start.

Conditions: initially dismal low cloud and drizzle. Later blustery wind and cloudy sun.

Pub: the Pheasant for Corby Ale and Hawskhead Bitter with Mark and Helen Richards. Later still tea with Gloria and Mitch at the Armathwaite Hall Hotel.

Derwentwater circuit

An 18km run mainly along the flat until the final climb of Walla Crag.

Route: from the Dollywagon B&B on Helvellyn St, Keswick, via St John's St to the market and down Main St to cross the river. Turning left along the Cumbria Way first across fields, then a bridge over the river to Portinscale, out past the marina and then turning left to Nichol End. Following a track rising slightly through trees, turning left at a track T junction past the Lingholm Estate to approach the end of Catbells where turning left to take metalled tracks past the Hawse End Outdoor Centre to reach the lake shore at Victoria Bay. On a clear path past Boat Houses to reach and cross marshy ground south of Great Bay on raised duck boards and then over the River Derwent to reach the B5289. Running along a narrow rough verge past the Lodore Falls Hotel and after which finding a woodland path near the road as far as Kettlewell car park and then crossing the road to pick a way along a stony shoreline to the Watendlath Road. Very slowly ascending this as far as Ashness Bridge and then climbing the fellside by the stream as far as a foot bridge and a path leading gradually up to the summit of Walla Crag. Descending briefly via the road at Rake Foot and then a hard path to the left down via a transmitter to reach Springs Road, Manor Brow and Eskin St and back to the start.

Conditions: cool and cloudy though with hints of sun.

Pub: The Wainwright, Keswick for Fell, Progressive Pale.

13km circuit of Grasmere via Spedding Crag and Loughrigg

Either a run with lots of walking or a walk with lots of running on a gorgeous sunny day spoiled only by the absence of Lois. (An impromptu route, the planned 16km circuit of Thirlmere having been ruled out by path closures.)

Route: leaving the car at the White Moss car park (£3 for 2 hours, pay afterwards) and climbing up onto the Coffin Route anti-clockwise to descend past Dove Cottage and head to Grasmere village. Exiting on the Red Bank road but taking the path to Silver Howe steeply uphill at a walk and along a climbing valley before emerging onto the fellside, still climbing to the ridge of Spedding Crag (a bit below its summit) with fine views of the empty shoulder towards Loughrigg. Picking a route as close to the Langdale edge as possible eventually to descend to the road near the summit of Red Bank. Initially taking a path towards Loughrigg Terrace but turning right to rejoin the road, descending a little towards Elterwater to find a steep empty path to the summit of Loughrigg, reduced to walking all the way. Descending with the intent to reach the path between bluebell woods and Lanty Scar (to the north of the ridge) but apparently veering repeatedly too far north and having to cross varied terrain to reach the path by the woods. Descending a very boggy final stage to the little car park before crossing the main road and picking up the Coffin Route back to the start.

Conditions: very sunny and rather too hot for running.

Pub: the Badger Bar, Rydal, for Loweswater Gold.

A 14km run into Kentmere from Ings

A 14km run mainly on good paths and tracks.

Route: leaving the car on the road in Ings and running uphill on a quiet road to Grassgarth, where the road gives way to stony track, and then gently further uphill to a bifurcation at the start of the moorland proper. Taking the right hand path initially on grass but later on a clearly artificial, only occasionally submerged, raised causeway across marshes (somehow more apparent today) to reach a crossroads and continuing along a track downhill towards Kentmere village. On this occasion, shortly before the end, taking a track sharply to the right gently descending 200m to join the usual (not quite) valley-bottom path back to the Hollingworth & Vose factory. There, taking the drive to Kentmere Potteries to pick up a narrow path leading eventually to Ullthwaite Bridge and the track to join the tarmac road at Browfoot. Slowly climbing the shoulder of Hugill Fell, turning right at the top on a stony track to rejoin the outward route back to Ings.

Conditions: cloudy, grey, dark day (for mid-May!) and surprisingly chill wind but no rain.

Pub: the Watermill, Ings for Watermill Wruff Night and Barngates Brathay Gold.

A cycle circuit to Warton and back

A ~50km ride out and back to have lunch with Peter, Becca and Rosie.

Route: from home to Natland, Sedgwick, Hincaster and Heversham and then past the Blue Bell on the Cumbria Coastal Way towards the estuary and back. Through the deer park (lots of lambs, pheasants, goats (and kids) and a herd of deer in the distance) to pick up the road to Beetham and then following Sustrans Route 6 through Yealand Conyers, Yealand Redmayne and on to Warton. After lunch returning to Yealand Conyers and then turning right to descend to the A6 and pick up the back road to Holme, keeping company with the railway line. On the B6384 to towards Milnthorpe and then following the route along Viver Lane under the railway and bypass, past the canal to pick up the ridge past Crosscrake to join the main road at Barrows Green and hence home.

Conditions: initial light rain giving way to cloudy dry conditions for the rest of the day.

Pub: no pub but lunch chez Peter, Becca and Rosie in Warton.

Circuit of Longsleddale

A narrow ~10km circuit of Longsleddale, half on road and half on paths.

Route: leaving the car at the church (£2 per day) and running south as far as the footpath over a bridge to Docker Nook. Then turning right to follow a generally well signed but otherwise not entirely intuitive path across fields past farms and through a large number of gates to reach the path back over the river near Till's Hole. Back south along the road to the start.

Conditions: cloudy sun, cool. At times quite damp under foot.

Pub: the Gateway, Kendal for Thwaites Golden Gate and Lancaster Bomber.

An attempt on Helm Crag

A wet blustery walk on an unpromising day with Steve, Debbie, Jules and Max.

Route: Leaving the car in the Broadgate Meadow car park (pay on exit / the web; £6.55 after lunch, coffee and cakes) and walking north on Far Easedale Road to pick up the standard Helm Crag ascent, in the process of being repitched. Rain and wind increasing with height, turning back in driving hail, 200m short of the summit ridge. Returning the same way but taking the poet's walk permissive path through the Lancrigg Hotel gardens.

Conditions: initially cloudy and light rain, increasing and increasingly windy later.

Pub: Tweedies Bar, Grasmere for lunch and Brecon Brewing Red Beacon, Cumbrian Legendary Ales Pale Ale and Coniston Brewery Special Oatmeal Stout.