An end to the Indian summer.

-
The Indian summer that we've been enjoying ended on Thursday when gales swept through Cumbria. It then rained very heavily on Friday and into Saturday causing river levels to rise dramatically.
Having watched the forecast we decided to head for the hills on Saturday later than normal, in the hope that the rain would push through and give us a dry weather window. We parked up in Keswick and after a wander around town decided to head up Skiddaw despite the cloud covering it's summit. It was quiet as we headed up the Latrigg path but frequent yellow markers suggested that there was an 'event' on and that it would get busier.
We made good progress up the lower slopes and passed several groups on the steep ascent to Jenkin Hill. Up to this point we'd stayed dry but a heavy shower came sweeping in from the west and pelted us with hailstones. Several runners were now descending and it was clear that there was an organised run taking place. 
As the weather wasn't great we decided to bypass Little Man and just head for the summit. Showers continued to sweep through and the summit ridge was in the 'clagg'. We sat in the summit shelter to eat lunch and chatted to two Marshalls manning the summit for the 'UK Skyrunning 3X3 Race'. This is a 84km run taking in Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw. http://skyrunninguk.com/
We descended via the same route and had some good views as the weather steadily improved - as it always does as you drop down. More and more runners passed us and many looked like they'd had a very tough day out. Our day was easier but we were pleased to have got something done.

A shower sweeps across Derwent Water.


A clear spell on the way up Jenkin Hill.


Skirting round the side of Little Man.


A clear spell on the descent.


Improving weather all the way down - the view to Helvellyn.


The Borrowdale Valley clearing.


The best part of the day as we arrive back in Keswick - the view of Skiddaw.


Today we had a lie in and then headed out on the bikes. The sky was overcast and it was windy but the rain held off. We did our 25 mile Paddle School round but had to change it near Dean as our normal route was blocked by a large tree that had fallen right across the road probably on Thursday.

No way past !!!!!!


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