More changeable weather but a good weekend.

-
Saturday morning was very wet so we decided not to venture far. By lunch time the rain had stopped but the wind had picked up. We needed to get out so headed off on the mountain bikes for a wee ride on the local Sustrans track. This was good as always but we still needed more fresh air so we went for a walk to the coast. The damage caused by the recent high tides and large waves was clear to see.

Susan 'flying' along the Sustrans track to Whitehaven.


Great to be out!!


Looking south towards St. Bees Head.


The Irish Sea - small waves today.


The forecast for today was much better so we headed out earlier than normal for a Sunday. On seeing the hills it was clear that the forecasters had got it wrong as all but the lower fells were cloud covered. We didn't want to drive far but wanted a good 'leg stretch' so headed for Skiddaw via Ullock Pike, Longside and Carl Side.
As we headed off it looked as though the cloud might lift but we reached the top of Ullock Pike in the clag and stayed in it until we descended towards Bakestall. Despite this we enjoyed the round especially as we saw very people and there was some snow above 750m.

'The cloud looks like it might lift' - heading for Ullock Pike.


Not a bad day - on Ullock Pikes north ridge.


The view to Borrowdale - starting to close in.


On Longside Edge.


No view on Carl Side.


Snow on Skiddaw above 750m.






Skiddaw summit - no view.


A warm brew, bagel and Borrowdale Tea loaf - great.


Clearing skies as we start to descend - how often does that happen?








Looking to Binsey - a different day now BUT it started raining between here and the car.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A week in Scotland.

-
Image
A week ago now we had an excellent 8 days up in Scotland spending time in Symington, Aviemore and Glasgow. We drove up to Symington on Friday 7 July and on the Saturday had a great ride to Peebles where, of course, we visited Cocoa Blacks for a wee treat. On Sunday we were up early and heading north to Aviemore and the Glenmore Campsite - one of my favourites despite changes in recent years. We had a leisurely drive but still had time for a ride once we'd 'set up camp'. Our route was a circuit to Boat of Garten and then a steep climb up the 'Ski Road' to the base of the Cairngorm Ski Station. This reached 20% in places and Susan wondered why we needed to do it. The views and the descent made it worthwhile.  The weather forecast for Monday wasn't too bad so we decided on a walk in the mountains. We drove up to the Ski Station and then headed for Scotland's second highest top Ben Macdui. It was overcast but dry as ...
Read more

Week off.

-
Image
Susan had last week off work and typically the weather has been very changeable.  On seeing the forecast we decided not to travel up north. The first weekend and Monday was spent in Dumfries and Symington and we cycled on all three days in mixed weather. A red dot in a sea of green - climbing over to Glenkiln. Higher on the climb over to Glenkiln, Dumfries. Disappearing towards Glenkiln.   On the road to New Abbey, Dumfries. Climbing out of New Abbey. On Tuesday we decided to head off on a short camping trip to the south Lakes. Due to the 6 month closure of the Keswick to Ambleside road we've not been beyond Dunmail Raise so this was a great change of scene. We headed first to Coniston to walk the fells above the village something we've not done for 10 years. Again the weather wasn't great for July but we got some great views and thoroughly enjoyed the round. On the Walna Scar Road. Threatening clouds above the fells. ...
Read more

Happy New Year.

-
Image
We decided to stay in Cumbria this New Year - a first for Susan!!! Thankfully the weather was much better than over the Christmas period and we were out on the hill every day. Hogmanay was overcast and windy but it was dry and we had a good day climbing over Bannerdale Crags and Blencathra. There were few people out but when we went into Keswick it was busier than ever. Dropping in to the Glenderamackin valley. A makeshift bridge across the burn - the bridge was washed away in Storm Desmond 2015. Climbing up onto the east ridge of Bannerdale Crags. On the east ridge . Some easy scrambling. Nearing the top. Good views despite the cloud. The sun trying to break through as we reach the summit. Heading for Blencathra. Susan battles into a strong wind. Looking to Thirlmere from a very windy summit. Looking to Derwent Water. On the descent. Dropping down to Scales Tarn to try and get out o...
Read more