Tuesday 6 September 2011

Grade C up Castle Crag with KR Guided Walks

Forecast was for showers but I was delighted to have 10 walkers for my walk yesterday.  We all enjoyed a short sharp climb from Rosthwaite into Johnny's Wood which is full of mossy oaks above a carpet of grass and bracken.  Branches overhead sheltered us from the worst of the showers which seemed to have gone by the time we emerged from the shelter of the trees to climb the grassy path through the bracken to the summit of High Doat above Seatoller.  A lowly 283m high this is a superb viewpoint.  Even today there were glimpses of Great Gable and Great End as well as a super view up Coombe Gill to Glaramara.


on top of Castle Crag
 As showers continued to scud across we crossed to the Allerdale Ramble and walked down Borrowdale towards Castle Crag where we lunched in the shelter of a dry stone wall.  Just 6 joined me in the ascent of Castle Crag on rather damp rock.  After enjoying the superb views from the summit we descended to meet the others and return to Rosthwaite in perfect time for the 3pm bus back to Keswick

returning down the waste rock that is Castle Crag!



Back together for the return to Rosthwaite


Friday 2 September 2011

From Whiteside Pike along the ridge to Grisedale Pike

Old friends and new joined me for my KR Guided Walk up Whiteside yesterday.  With a good forecast the 77 bus over Whinlatter and round to our starting point at Lanthwaite Green was standing roon only.

A steep climb up through glorious heather over Whin Rigg and up to the Whiteside West top was rewarded by a superb view all the way along the ridge.

I love the feeling up here of being on the edge of the mountains. The coastal plain stretches out in one direction to the Solway Firth whilst in the other Grassmoor and Crag Hill are just the closest of many Lakeland Peaks.  


view along the ridge to Hopegill Head and Grisedale Pike
A bit hazy today but you could still see line upon line of ridges with Helvellyn cloud free to the east.





Lunch in a sheltered hoolow on the ridge was followed by Hopegill Head, Sand Hill and Grisedale Pike before carefully descending the ridge over Sleet How to Braithwaite

all the group on Grisedale Pike


Haystacks with KR Guided Walks on August Bank Holiday Saturday

Skye enjoying the view down Buttermere
The forecast was poor for last Saturday but I expected more than one for my Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks Guided Walk.  But wasn't I glad that Merritt turned up!   The weather exceeded all expectations and we had a glorious day. 


Merritt & Skye as we climbed Fleetwith Pike
 A slight shower as we went up Fleetwith Pike ridge and then sunshine with dappled shadows for the rest of the walk and superbly clear distant views. 

So don't assume that a Bank Holiday will mean we have large groups!  Why not give us a ring or email beforehand to check and tell us to expect you
Skye enjoying Innominate Tarn