Monday 31st August - Liquid lunch on Loughrigg

The first real stretch of my legs following my op. A bright enough day as we set out, but some sneaky weather followed us from the west...

Having left the car on the roadside at Loughrigg Fold, the boys were off on a squirrel chase as swe followed paths around Loughrigg Tarn then through open woodland under Ivy Crag before turning north and gaining height steadily to the knock and lochan plateau of Loughrigg itself. Just befoe topping out a few gusts of wind were followed by a heavy shower which saw us scuttle up to the trig. point and head downhill again without too much delay. The rain soon cleared and we stopped for a quick bite above the trees of Intake Wood. The leaves were just starting to turn so although the views over Loughrigg Tarn and Elterwater are not that extensive, they were pretty special.

A lovely little walk, just right for a late autumn afternoon or crisp winters morning (and another Wainwright ticked off!).

Saturday 8th August 2009 - Changeable weather on Pillar

The forecast suggested a good day and, as we'd not been for a good walk for a while, we'd decided to meet in Wasdale for a look at the tops around Pillar. Leaving my car at Overbeck Bridge, Sue drove us the the Head where, after a quick brew (flask, not vending machine, grrrr!) we headed up into Mosedale under blue but fluffy skies.

The Mosedale Hills with Yewbarrow and the gap of Dore Head to the left, Red Pike and Pillar

From Mosedale, across Wasdale Head toward Illgill Head

The walking on the east side of Mosedale, toward Black Sail pass, is gentle enough with height gained gradually and stunning views back over Wasdale Head with Yewbarrow and Red Pike to the west. What was ominous though was the dark cloud building to the south west and the wind following us from the same direction...

Just below Black Sail pass - before the wind arrives

No sooner did we get onto the ridge proper the wind picked up. The decision to get onto Pillar by the high level path above Ennerdale was the obvious one to go with as it kept us sheltered from the wind and provides great views across Ennerdale to the Buttermere Fells and well beyond.

Black Sail hut and the drumlins at the top of Ennerdale

Soon we were eating lunch - thanks Sue x - by Robinson's Cairn with the Pisgah and High Man, the uppermost parts of Pillar Rock, looming above us. Plenty of other folk wandered past, all heading toward the Shamrock traverse and the summit plateau of Pillar itself.

Plaque unveiled by Cecil Slingsby commemorating one of Lakeland's earliest climbers and guides

The top of Shamrock traverse, Pisgah, the Notch and High Man from Robinson's Cairn

The pull uphill from the Cairn goes surprisingly easily, mostly I suspect due to the interest underfoot! Verging on easy scrambling the situation soon gives great views onto the rocky butresses of the Rock and, today, climbers getting ready to bail from the top in ever-decreasing visibility.

Sue leaving Pisgah and High Man behind

My compass and map came out 30 feet below the plateau so that I could take a quick bearing toward the summit cairn in the wind shadow rather than take a pasting once "over the edge". Despite the precaution, things weren't too bad on the top, though the weather wasn't conducive to hanging about! One group that we'd spoken with earlier had decided to descend into Ennerdale via White Pike rather than the ridge leading back to Black Sail, but, despite having their GPS on the job, were unable to find the path. Having checked their map and working out a compass bearing for the ridge to Black Sail option, the last we saw was them heading back toward White Pike.

We had a think about where next; given the weather and complete lack of view (as might be expected in 50 metre visibility) the most direct way off had to be Wind Gap into Mosedale. So, a quick bearing and off into the clag. Now, today's lesson begins... most direct does NOT mean quickest. In fact, this descent has to be one of the worst I've ever made in the the Lakes; from 2920 feet to 620 feet - that's 2300 feet - in a mile. Thrashing over run-out scree or blocks varying between housebrick and big loaf size. Or thin soil over rock. Just not nice and a quads killer. Next time I'll be staying with the plan and going over Little Scoat Fell, turning towards Red Pike before dropping down to Scoat Tarn at the col unless the weather really kicks up in which case it'll be back the way we came or south east back to Black Sail pass.

Anyways, all's well that ends well and, despite being at Wasdale Head, the cuppa at the bottom definitely went down a treat!

The boys chillin' on Pillar

Post-script: On Sunday night 23 people were led off Pillar, from the Looking Stead area, by members of Wasdale and Cockermouth MRTs. The weather was markedly better than we'd had; their torches were seen from Black Sail Hut and the teams alerted. Apparently this was the 6th incident involving the same Gateshead school and Lakes MRTs in so many years...slow learners or just trying to get closer to their God?

25th & 26th July 2009 - Sea kayaking - in search of peace and quiet

Somewhere local and not too challenging for Sue's first overnight from our sea kayaks; launch at Roa Island, float up Barrow Channel with the tide, lunch break, tide turns, back down to Piel Island for the night and an easy paddle back the following morning. Sue checked with the pub on Piel and, yes, they were serving food, yes, we could camp on the island, yes, the facilities exist but are a tad basic. I consulted the chart, tide tables, almanac and weather forecast.

So: weather looking fine but blowing up a bit overnight on Saturday. Tides good for the plan. Kit packed in the car on Friday night and a lazy Saturday start saw us loading said kit into our boats by the Bosun's Locker under blazing blue skies. What could go wrong... oh dear, oh dear me!

Indian country? Between Barrow and Walney Island

The tide was certainly behaving exactly as forecast as we left Roa brhind us and were swept easily along the channel, first past the saltings and the dockside housing estates of Barrow. Then the docks themselves, staring across to suburban Walney, as we threaded our way between moored yachts on the edge of the deep water channel. Maybe it was the sunshine and blue skies, or the ease with which we part drifted, part paddled, enjoying the familiar landscape from an unfamiliar viewpoint. Either way, this was fun!

The lifting bridge closed as we approached, having let a fleet of yachts through ahead of us, although with no wind to speak of we were soon gaining on, and then, paddling like a frenzied thing taking frenzy pills, Sue was passing some of them! To top that, she spotted a beach for our lunch stop - on the opposite side of the channel. No worries; the water-bourne banshee promptly paddled straight through the middle of the annual Round Walney regatta fleet!

Lunch time and high water - Black Combe across the Duddon estuary

The current in the channel was still running to the north as we set out again, now paddling upstream back towards Barrow. As it turns out, the tide doesn't turn at, or anywhere near, high water. In fact it continues to run to the north as the northern end of the channel simply drains into the Duddon estuary, leaving this end of the channel high and dry until the next flood. Acording to the locals, the current slackens (relative term!) about 90 minutes after HW; take note for next time.

Once clear of the road bridge - which involved some strenuous break-outs and hard paddling between eddies - we could start to relax again. Hugging the Walney coast, we passed salt-marshes with plenty of bird life and cross currents caused by lagoons emptying into the main channel. Taking care to keep more than a few inches of water under our keels, we slowly made our way back toward Piel Island and our overnight stop.

Piel Island - campsite, pub and popular party venue

Before long we were ashore and our tent pitched between the pub and castle; we did make one or two unexpected observations though: the pub was closed for a refit; a burger van was parked outside the pub and a large marquee had been erected by the bunkhouse which was substituting bar... A walk around the island (less than 10 minutes) led us to believe that (a) we weren't alone and (b) that we shouldn't expect a quiet night!

The Ship Inn and outbuldings on Piel (oh, and the 14th century castle)

The Yorkshire Dales across Morecombe Bay

South Walney from Piel Island

The rest of the evening unfolded; down to the pub, minute steak and fries for dinner, more cider, a busload (literally - a bus brought them from Barrow to Walney) of folk walked or drove onto the island over mud that we'd paddled over a couple of hours earlier, the music started and a merry old time was had by all. Except maybe the youngsters who over-did the drink, had their tents collapsed as the wind and rain arrived in the small hours and left their belongings and much of their stomach lining in the field before climbing onto the ferry in the morning.

Barrow Channel - Low Water (note the 4x4 driving across from Walney)

Coniston Old Man above Roa Island

Party time on Piel Island!

Just before Sue & I gave our rendition of Flower of Scotland...

(it wasn't just the kids that enjoyed their evening!)