During the week the forecast has looked decidely varied, threatening everything from continous rain to a blue sky weekend... And thats exactly what we got. The Friday drive over was beautiful and anyone out in the Lakes on Friday really saw it at its best!! The braken has turned giving the hills their first tints of autumn colour, whilst the valleys remain lush with a vibrant carpet of lush green grass from the recent rains.
Saturday morning and the forecast was still iffy, but the groups valiantly headed out to Crummock Water. The young genlteman paul, lead his group off on a classic lakeland round, up the steep flank of whiteside, along the narrow shapely ridge to Hopegill head, then around grassy, inside edge to the summit of Grasmoor. Amazingly they stayed dry dodging the sqawlly showers and gaining tremendous views. Meanwhile I ambled around Crummock Water, but we did have a climb of our own the west face of Rannerdale Knotts, which itself yielded great views up the Buttermere Valley to Haystacks and beyond. Lounged on the hillsides we drank in the picture- perfect lakeland views and meandered our way around the lake, where our reward was a very fine pint in the Kirkstile Inn!
Sunday did not dawn well, 12 hours of rain hadnt cleared and some decided to head home. However others we convinced the rains would soon clear!!! Very nieve!!! Paul began by taking the la'll ratty railway up to Boot where he guided a ver sheltered walk back down the gorgeous valley of Eskdale, via Muncaster Castle to Ravenglass thereby making the most of a poor day! Not to be put of by a slight shower, 16 die hards headed out to Ennerdale. Laughing in the face of the rain gods we made a direct ascent of Great Bourne up a particularly steep gill, complete with tumbing waterfalls,which looked great in the conditions. A cloudy walk then ensued along the ridge to Starling Dodd but our spirits held high as we battled against an increasing wind. This wind then forced a change to the route and we dived down in ravine as we headed fro the Shelter of the valley... and the Shepherds Arms where we retold the days exploits over a refreshing cup of tea...
Great Days folks see you in Harrogate in the spring!
Saturday morning and the forecast was still iffy, but the groups valiantly headed out to Crummock Water. The young genlteman paul, lead his group off on a classic lakeland round, up the steep flank of whiteside, along the narrow shapely ridge to Hopegill head, then around grassy, inside edge to the summit of Grasmoor. Amazingly they stayed dry dodging the sqawlly showers and gaining tremendous views. Meanwhile I ambled around Crummock Water, but we did have a climb of our own the west face of Rannerdale Knotts, which itself yielded great views up the Buttermere Valley to Haystacks and beyond. Lounged on the hillsides we drank in the picture- perfect lakeland views and meandered our way around the lake, where our reward was a very fine pint in the Kirkstile Inn!
Sunday did not dawn well, 12 hours of rain hadnt cleared and some decided to head home. However others we convinced the rains would soon clear!!! Very nieve!!! Paul began by taking the la'll ratty railway up to Boot where he guided a ver sheltered walk back down the gorgeous valley of Eskdale, via Muncaster Castle to Ravenglass thereby making the most of a poor day! Not to be put of by a slight shower, 16 die hards headed out to Ennerdale. Laughing in the face of the rain gods we made a direct ascent of Great Bourne up a particularly steep gill, complete with tumbing waterfalls,which looked great in the conditions. A cloudy walk then ensued along the ridge to Starling Dodd but our spirits held high as we battled against an increasing wind. This wind then forced a change to the route and we dived down in ravine as we headed fro the Shelter of the valley... and the Shepherds Arms where we retold the days exploits over a refreshing cup of tea...
Great Days folks see you in Harrogate in the spring!