Week off.
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.
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.
Our chosen campsite was the National Trust Site at the head of Langdale. Susan had never been here and I was keen to revisit a place I first went to as a teenager. It has changed a little but is still a great place to stay.
Wednesday saw us heading out from the tent on foot to climb the Langdale Pikes and neighbouring fells. The forecast was for rain in the afternoon but we stayed dry and were down in time to have a drive into Ambleside before tea.
We ate outside the tent and had a walk before bed. The rain then came along with a strong wind which battered the tent all night. Luckily by 9am on Thursday the rain had stopped so we were able to pack up in the dry before heading for home.
As we headed north, after a cafe stop in Ambleside, the weather improved dramatically so we stopped beyond Thirlmere to complete a wee round over High Rigg. We often do this route on poor weather days so it was good to complete it and get some good views.
After a 'rough' night in the tent a lie in was in order on Friday after which we decided on a short local fell walk. We headed to Lorton and walked over Mellbreak, returning along the shore of Crummock Water.
On Saturday the weather took a turn for the worse and it rained most of the day. We wanted to 'get out' so had lunch in Abraham's Cafe in Keswick and then went for a damp walk to Derwent Water.
Despite the poor summer weather we had a very good week without going far.
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.
A shelter near the summit of the Walna Scar Road.
A cloudy Brown Pike summit.
Scrambling of Dow Crag.
A clearing view of Goat's Water.
The summit of The Old Man of Coniston.
Checking the map on route to Swirl How.
Looking down to Levers Water.
On the Matterhorn Boulder - Grey Friar.
Grey Friar summit.
The Scafell massif across Eskdale.
The memorial to pilots killed in a plane crash - Great Carrs.
Heading for Great Carrs summit.
On the summit.
Heading for Wetherlam.
Approaching Wetherlam summit.
On the summit.
Starting the long descent to Coniston.
The Old Man of Coniston.
Our chosen campsite was the National Trust Site at the head of Langdale. Susan had never been here and I was keen to revisit a place I first went to as a teenager. It has changed a little but is still a great place to stay.
Pitched up in Langdale.
A balmy July evening!!!!!
Making a new friend.
We had to have a pint at this old establishment.
Wednesday saw us heading out from the tent on foot to climb the Langdale Pikes and neighbouring fells. The forecast was for rain in the afternoon but we stayed dry and were down in time to have a drive into Ambleside before tea.
Heading up Stickle Ghyll.
A decent morning above Langdale.
Scrambling on route to Stickle Tarn.
Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark.
A Herdwick and the Coniston Fells beyond.
Heading for Sergeant Man.
Sergeant Man summit.
High Raise summit.
Harrison Stickle summit.
The route to Pike of Stickle.
Scrambling up Pike of Stickle.
Looking to Gimmer Crag above Langdale.
Loft Crag summit.
Descending to Langdale.
We ate outside the tent and had a walk before bed. The rain then came along with a strong wind which battered the tent all night. Luckily by 9am on Thursday the rain had stopped so we were able to pack up in the dry before heading for home.
The morning after a stormy night.
As we headed north, after a cafe stop in Ambleside, the weather improved dramatically so we stopped beyond Thirlmere to complete a wee round over High Rigg. We often do this route on poor weather days so it was good to complete it and get some good views.
Walking through St John's in the Vale.
Climbing up onto High Rigg.
High Rigg summit looking to Helvellyn.
High Rigg summit looking to Blencathra.
Heading south on High Rigg ridge.
A scenic view back to Skiddaw.
Towards the end of the ridge.
Castle Rock, Thirlmere.
After a 'rough' night in the tent a lie in was in order on Friday after which we decided on a short local fell walk. We headed to Lorton and walked over Mellbreak, returning along the shore of Crummock Water.
The track to Mellbreak.
Starting the steep climb.
Some simple scrambling.
Some horrible loose sections.
Looking to Rannerdale.
The north summit.
The south summit.
Looking down on and along Buttermere.
Crummock Water and Grasmoor.
Crummock Water and Rannerdale.
Crummock Water and the Fellbarrow range.
The Fellbarrow range.
On Saturday the weather took a turn for the worse and it rained most of the day. We wanted to 'get out' so had lunch in Abraham's Cafe in Keswick and then went for a damp walk to Derwent Water.
Geese on Derwent Water.
Sheltering from the rain.
Making another new friend.
Despite the poor summer weather we had a very good week without going far.
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