The Grisedale Valley, much loved by Wordsworth, is well worth exploring especially if you have your dog in tow, they’ll love running over the fells and taking a dip in the tarns as they run along. There are several dog friendly Lake District cottages in the area which would make the ideal base from which to explore this wonderful valley.
Set off from Patterdale village and head deeper into the valley towards what is known as Grisedale Forest despite the very apparent lack of trees. You will pass Ruthwaite Lodge, a climbing hut on your right as you make your way through rocky scenery towards Grisedale Tarn. The imposing craggy face of Dollywagon Pike looms above but wait for your photo opportunity, it is even better further on.
Just off the path before the tarn is Brother’s Parting Stone and much easier to spot from this direction. A poem is inscribed into the stone though it is weatherworn and largely unintelligible. The stone is said to mark the spot where William Wordsworth and his brother John last saw each other before John drowned at sea.
As you reach Grisedale Tarn cross the stepping stones to the left and walk clockwise around the tarn towards Hause Gap and follow the clear path alongside the wall to the summit of Fairfield. Due to the rocky nature of the summit and various piles of stones, shelters and paths in many directions, a map and compass are essential to get off the summit safely in poor conditions.
There are many shelters on Fairfield for a lunch stop and are perfect to survey the view. The next leg of the walk heads downwards over Cofa Pike a rocky pinnacle between Fairfield and St Sunday Crag. From here don’t forget to look back to Dollywagon Pike across the valley for the impressive view of the craggy face.
The descent from St Sunday Crag offers several choices, a straight down descent from Birks to Elm How Plantation, however my preference is to walk down over Birks towards Trough Head and through the interesting rocky tops of Arnison Crags. This route takes you straight down into the garden and carpark of the Patterdale Hotel, which is a perfect place to stop for a well deserved pint or cup of tea in the welcoming bar.
There are several Lake District cottages in the area which are ideally situated to give you a great base from which to explore Grisedale and other surrounding valleys.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Friday, 20 January 2012
The Lake District's Lost Railway
I love maps of The Lake District and take great pleasure in the tiny detail of the 1:25,000 series. There is nothing better than spreading out on the carpet with a map of central Lakeland and a steaming cup of tea. That’s what long winter nights are for, planning your summer adventures!
My latest exciting map purchase has been of single sheet Ordnance Survey maps dating back to the 1950’s covering areas like Buttermere, Borrowdale and Ullswater. The fells have not changed and happily most of the settlements remain the same too. However the map covering Keswick shows a section of the railway between Penrith to the West Coast. The North Lake District line connecting Keswick to Penrith closed in 1972 and is now a scenic 4 mile trail for bikes, boots and dogs. There are several dog friendly Lake District cottages in the surrounding areas which would make an ideal base from which to explore this lesser known historic part of the Lake District.
Trees line the route through Greta Gorge as the trail makes its way out of Keswick. A boardwalk section takes you round the hillside, which the train would have passed through. You can see the remains of the tunnel arch if you look behind you as you finish the boardwalk.
The original railway crossed 78 bridges between Keswick and Penrith, 8 of them remain on the path between Keswick and Threlkeld, offering excellent stopping points for peering over the girders into the water below and daydreaming.
There is a wealth of natural and manmade features along the route and I like to look out for the hidden relics of the time when the trains ran along here. See how many you can find! Stop to explore every gate and stile. Some lead into woodland and ancient silver birch plantations, others right under the modern A66 road and towards Castlerigg.
Along the route you will find two old railway huts, great for a lunch stop on a chilly day. I am always fascinated to think what history these little building have. Look out for the blackened walls inside, relics of the days when a fire would have burnt to keep the workers warm. The information boards inside tell you about the wide variety of wildlife to be spotted along the route. Apart from the stalking herons in the river below, I like to look for red squirrels when I reach the final bridge to Threlkeld.
There are plenty of Lake District cottages ideally located for enjoying the railway line whether you walk, cycle or even run. The Salutation Inn and The Horse and Farrier, both in Threlkeld are highly recommended for a lunch stop before turning back to enjoy the route from the opposite direction.
My latest exciting map purchase has been of single sheet Ordnance Survey maps dating back to the 1950’s covering areas like Buttermere, Borrowdale and Ullswater. The fells have not changed and happily most of the settlements remain the same too. However the map covering Keswick shows a section of the railway between Penrith to the West Coast. The North Lake District line connecting Keswick to Penrith closed in 1972 and is now a scenic 4 mile trail for bikes, boots and dogs. There are several dog friendly Lake District cottages in the surrounding areas which would make an ideal base from which to explore this lesser known historic part of the Lake District.
Trees line the route through Greta Gorge as the trail makes its way out of Keswick. A boardwalk section takes you round the hillside, which the train would have passed through. You can see the remains of the tunnel arch if you look behind you as you finish the boardwalk.
The original railway crossed 78 bridges between Keswick and Penrith, 8 of them remain on the path between Keswick and Threlkeld, offering excellent stopping points for peering over the girders into the water below and daydreaming.
There is a wealth of natural and manmade features along the route and I like to look out for the hidden relics of the time when the trains ran along here. See how many you can find! Stop to explore every gate and stile. Some lead into woodland and ancient silver birch plantations, others right under the modern A66 road and towards Castlerigg.
Along the route you will find two old railway huts, great for a lunch stop on a chilly day. I am always fascinated to think what history these little building have. Look out for the blackened walls inside, relics of the days when a fire would have burnt to keep the workers warm. The information boards inside tell you about the wide variety of wildlife to be spotted along the route. Apart from the stalking herons in the river below, I like to look for red squirrels when I reach the final bridge to Threlkeld.
There are plenty of Lake District cottages ideally located for enjoying the railway line whether you walk, cycle or even run. The Salutation Inn and The Horse and Farrier, both in Threlkeld are highly recommended for a lunch stop before turning back to enjoy the route from the opposite direction.
Saturday, 14 January 2012
Walking At Night In The Lake District
Now that all the fuss of Christmas and New Year is over we can get back to the proper business of being on the fells!
Why not try something different this year and head out after dark. January and February offer some of the best opportunities for a moonlit walk with this time of year having the highest luminosity. The Lakeland fells take on a whole different character once the sun has set and look utterly spellbinding in moonlight, it truly is a sight to behold. You can even take your trusty pooch with you, apparently most of them have quite good vision in the dark. Unfortunately my dog Moss is actually afraid of the dark so I’ll probably have to leave him at home on this occasion.
Choose a fell you are familiar with and one that does not have sheer edges you can walk off! Latrigg, Barrow, Binsey and Dodd are excellent starter hills and easily accessible from several dog friendly Lake District cottages in the area. With the right conditions you could even attempt Skiddaw or the smooth western flanks of Helvellyn, both of which have summit shelters to enjoy a hot drink in!
For a moonlit walk you will need your usual hill walking kit plus extra warm layers, a hot flask and some yummy chocolate. A map, compass and first aid kit are essential as is your head torch and spare batteries. On a clear night you should be able to walk with the light of the moon - however it is imperative to still take a head torch for emergencies or if the weather changes. Use the red light function for map reading or anything else that requires extra light. This will not affect your night vision when you start walking again.
Familiarise yourself with the route in daylight and make a note of any key features to be aware of. Leave a route plan with someone responsible and, where possible, notify the local mountain rescue team of your plans. It is not uncommon for well meaning folk to report lights on the fells leading to the rescue teams being scrambled, only to find the lights belong to people who don’t need rescuing!
Once you are finished and back off the fell you can kick back and relax in the warmth of one of the many Lake District cottages in the area or nip to the nearest pub for that well earnt pint of ale!
Why not try something different this year and head out after dark. January and February offer some of the best opportunities for a moonlit walk with this time of year having the highest luminosity. The Lakeland fells take on a whole different character once the sun has set and look utterly spellbinding in moonlight, it truly is a sight to behold. You can even take your trusty pooch with you, apparently most of them have quite good vision in the dark. Unfortunately my dog Moss is actually afraid of the dark so I’ll probably have to leave him at home on this occasion.
Choose a fell you are familiar with and one that does not have sheer edges you can walk off! Latrigg, Barrow, Binsey and Dodd are excellent starter hills and easily accessible from several dog friendly Lake District cottages in the area. With the right conditions you could even attempt Skiddaw or the smooth western flanks of Helvellyn, both of which have summit shelters to enjoy a hot drink in!
For a moonlit walk you will need your usual hill walking kit plus extra warm layers, a hot flask and some yummy chocolate. A map, compass and first aid kit are essential as is your head torch and spare batteries. On a clear night you should be able to walk with the light of the moon - however it is imperative to still take a head torch for emergencies or if the weather changes. Use the red light function for map reading or anything else that requires extra light. This will not affect your night vision when you start walking again.
Familiarise yourself with the route in daylight and make a note of any key features to be aware of. Leave a route plan with someone responsible and, where possible, notify the local mountain rescue team of your plans. It is not uncommon for well meaning folk to report lights on the fells leading to the rescue teams being scrambled, only to find the lights belong to people who don’t need rescuing!
Once you are finished and back off the fell you can kick back and relax in the warmth of one of the many Lake District cottages in the area or nip to the nearest pub for that well earnt pint of ale!
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Greystoke - It's not all about Tarzan!
Greystoke is a charming little village with traditional slate roofed cottages dating from the 17th century. Just five miles west of Penrith, Greystoke has a pretty village green with an ancient market cross thought to date back to the early 1600s. Unfortunately it has no direct link to Tarzan but we think he once stayed at one of the very first Lake District holiday cottages in the area.
Situated opposite the village Green is The Boot and Shoe, a 17th Century Coaching Inn. It is a traditional family owned pub serving homemade meals and locally produced real ale along with specialty curry, steak and tapas nights. All year round you will find an eclectic range of live music performed on Sunday afternoons. Watch out for the Christmas Carols along with traditional mulled wine and mince pies. If you are not tired enough after a day in the fells you can join in with the Boot Music Jam session playing, singing or just listening, every 2nd and 4th Monday.
Greystoke holds a beer festival with live music in September raising funds for the open-air swimming pool. Tickets are available locally or volunteer for a stint behind the bar in exchange for free entry!
The village store is situated right in the heart of the village. You can expect friendly service from the family run store, selling the usual newspapers and groceries along with local meat and freshly baked bread. Open seven days a week, the store also has a post office counter.
A jewel in Greystoke’s crown is the open-air swimming pool which opened in 1973. There is a small toddlers pool adjacent to the main pool, which has a small slide into the shallow end. Snacks and drinks are available to enjoy sitting on the poolside picnic benches. The pool is open between April and September and is staffed by volunteers so it is recommended that you ring ahead or check their website for opening times.
The pool is part of the District Sport Association, which also offers two children’s play areas, a football field and free village car park.
For safe family cycling, Greystoke Forest, part of the castle estate, offers miles of tracks in a beautiful woodland setting.
An important location for cyclists, Greystoke is at the crossroads of the Coast to Coast and Lands End to John O’Groats route. The well-appointed tea garden and cycle café offers pretty views across parkland to Greystoke Castle and all manner of home made cakes, cream teas and lunches for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. The barn operates a self service for cyclists with not only hot food and drink, but spare inner tubes, chain oil and sudocreme!
The cycle café also runs ‘quirky workshops’ all year round from dry stone walling, chicken wire sculptures and first aid to all manner of painting and drawing. It is worth checking their website for the extensive and eclectic list.
St Andrews church is a good example of a pele tower, structure unique to the north of England, specifically built to protect against attack from invading Scottish forces. The church holds much of interest including ancient stained glass, modern sculptures, and artefacts dating from the 14th century with full details on information boards throughout the church.
There are several Lake District cottages in the surrounding areas of Greystoke which make an ideal base from which to explore this unknown quantity of Cumbria.
Situated opposite the village Green is The Boot and Shoe, a 17th Century Coaching Inn. It is a traditional family owned pub serving homemade meals and locally produced real ale along with specialty curry, steak and tapas nights. All year round you will find an eclectic range of live music performed on Sunday afternoons. Watch out for the Christmas Carols along with traditional mulled wine and mince pies. If you are not tired enough after a day in the fells you can join in with the Boot Music Jam session playing, singing or just listening, every 2nd and 4th Monday.
Greystoke holds a beer festival with live music in September raising funds for the open-air swimming pool. Tickets are available locally or volunteer for a stint behind the bar in exchange for free entry!
The village store is situated right in the heart of the village. You can expect friendly service from the family run store, selling the usual newspapers and groceries along with local meat and freshly baked bread. Open seven days a week, the store also has a post office counter.
A jewel in Greystoke’s crown is the open-air swimming pool which opened in 1973. There is a small toddlers pool adjacent to the main pool, which has a small slide into the shallow end. Snacks and drinks are available to enjoy sitting on the poolside picnic benches. The pool is open between April and September and is staffed by volunteers so it is recommended that you ring ahead or check their website for opening times.
The pool is part of the District Sport Association, which also offers two children’s play areas, a football field and free village car park.
For safe family cycling, Greystoke Forest, part of the castle estate, offers miles of tracks in a beautiful woodland setting.
An important location for cyclists, Greystoke is at the crossroads of the Coast to Coast and Lands End to John O’Groats route. The well-appointed tea garden and cycle café offers pretty views across parkland to Greystoke Castle and all manner of home made cakes, cream teas and lunches for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. The barn operates a self service for cyclists with not only hot food and drink, but spare inner tubes, chain oil and sudocreme!
The cycle café also runs ‘quirky workshops’ all year round from dry stone walling, chicken wire sculptures and first aid to all manner of painting and drawing. It is worth checking their website for the extensive and eclectic list.
St Andrews church is a good example of a pele tower, structure unique to the north of England, specifically built to protect against attack from invading Scottish forces. The church holds much of interest including ancient stained glass, modern sculptures, and artefacts dating from the 14th century with full details on information boards throughout the church.
There are several Lake District cottages in the surrounding areas of Greystoke which make an ideal base from which to explore this unknown quantity of Cumbria.
Friday, 23 December 2011
Santa Special at Threlkeld Quarry
On a bitterly cold and grey December afternoon, William and Merryn braved the outside carriages on the Santa Special. They very much enjoyed sitting behind Ian the engine driver and his collie dog Jip, who howled with excitement when the tooting engine horn signalled the start of the ride! Mince pies and mulled wine kept the adults happy whilst there was a trip to see Father Christmas in his decorated portacabin grotto (!) for the children.
The Quarry and Museum is normally open seven days a week between Easter and October with plenty on offer for families and adult visitors alike. The location is well within reach of several Keswick cottages in the area.
Set in dramatic scenery on the edge of Keswick the Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum is run by enthusiastic staff and volunteers. The site offers an underground tour, a geology and mining museum and a shop. There is free parking should you be travelling from further afield.
Sir Tom is a jewel in the crown for the Quarry, having undergone a complete restoration after its arrival in 2001. The narrow gauge locomotive hauls passenger trains on a daily basis during the summer months and at Christmas operates the Santa Special! The train ride travels up hill past the engine sheds and vintage machinery, right into the heart of the blasted out fell side. It's a great treat for children.
Another highlight is the guided tour through a reconstructed lead/copper mine, which takes around forty-five minutes and is led by highly knowledgeable guides. Within the extensive site there is also a rather unique collection of vintage quarry machinery.
The Quarry Room is quite absorbing, explaining the geology of the Lake District and displaying samples of rock from important Cumbrian locations. Threlkeld Quarry was opened around 1870 and mined continuously until 1937. Operations carried on from 1949 until 1982 when the quarry closed and was mostly dismantled. It was saved by volunteers and built back up to the interesting resource that it is today.
The museum sits in the disused microgranite quarry in an area of the Lake District where copper, iron, lead, zinc, tungsten, graphite, barites and fluorite were mined. It contains a fascinating array of artefacts, plans and photographic records of explorations of many local mines. Walkers may find particular interest in the photographs featuring well-known fells and their changing faces after years of mining activity.
There are several Lake District cottages in the area making an ideal base from which to explore this dramatic mining landscape.
The Quarry and Museum is normally open seven days a week between Easter and October with plenty on offer for families and adult visitors alike. The location is well within reach of several Keswick cottages in the area.
Set in dramatic scenery on the edge of Keswick the Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum is run by enthusiastic staff and volunteers. The site offers an underground tour, a geology and mining museum and a shop. There is free parking should you be travelling from further afield.
Sir Tom is a jewel in the crown for the Quarry, having undergone a complete restoration after its arrival in 2001. The narrow gauge locomotive hauls passenger trains on a daily basis during the summer months and at Christmas operates the Santa Special! The train ride travels up hill past the engine sheds and vintage machinery, right into the heart of the blasted out fell side. It's a great treat for children.
Another highlight is the guided tour through a reconstructed lead/copper mine, which takes around forty-five minutes and is led by highly knowledgeable guides. Within the extensive site there is also a rather unique collection of vintage quarry machinery.
The Quarry Room is quite absorbing, explaining the geology of the Lake District and displaying samples of rock from important Cumbrian locations. Threlkeld Quarry was opened around 1870 and mined continuously until 1937. Operations carried on from 1949 until 1982 when the quarry closed and was mostly dismantled. It was saved by volunteers and built back up to the interesting resource that it is today.
The museum sits in the disused microgranite quarry in an area of the Lake District where copper, iron, lead, zinc, tungsten, graphite, barites and fluorite were mined. It contains a fascinating array of artefacts, plans and photographic records of explorations of many local mines. Walkers may find particular interest in the photographs featuring well-known fells and their changing faces after years of mining activity.
There are several Lake District cottages in the area making an ideal base from which to explore this dramatic mining landscape.
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
Keswick – A Few Ideas
Keswick is awash with activities you can do straight from your front door. Come rain or shine there are an abundance of things to keep you occupied whether it be indoor or outdoor. The choice is yours but here are just a few ideas.
George Fishers
Although not the cheapest outdoor shop in Keswick, it certainly prides itself on knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. It’s an experience just browsing the floors of clothing and equipment. Up in the rafters you will find the lovely Abraham’s Tea Room named after the famous Abraham brothers who originally owned the entire premises as their photographic shop. Around the shop you can see memorabilia and photographs from their era. Fishers offer an expert boot fitting service and you may also hire boots for fell walking.
Keswick Launch
A short walk from the town centre takes you to the lakeshore where you can sit on the newly installed benches and admire the view across the lake. This is also the main landing point for the Keswick Launch, a 50 minute boat trip around the lake. Choose to stay on for the full 50 minutes and admire the beautiful views or hop on and off as many times as you like at any of the 7 landing stages around the lake. There are several Keswick cottages in the area which will only enhance your visit should you choose to stay at one.
Walking!
Keswick Rambles offer a selection of walks to suit different abilities every day during the summer. Outside peak season times of March till October it is best to check their website or ring ahead first. Setting off from the Moot Hall each morning, you are in safe hands with expert leaders who know every inch of the fells.
Fun on the Lake
There are four islands on Derwentwater one of which has a house and private boat landing. Enter into the spirit of Swallows and Amazons and take a boat and picnic out to any of the three smaller islands and make your own adventure. The islands are wooded, with sandy bays, ideal for den building or just admiring the view from a different perspective.
Java
A great spot for coffee. In the summer you can sit outside in the market square and people watch. Or bag the sofas inside to enjoy something from the chocolate fountain!
Ye Olde Friars Sweet Shop
Covering two floors and nearly a thousand different confectionary products, Friars has been in the same family since 1927. There is a floor to ceiling selection of Jelly Beans of offer, Lake District specialty fudge, handcrafted chocolates and various quirky edible gifts and sets.
Fitz Park Play Area
The play area opened in 2010 designed and cleverly divided up for a variety of ages. There are picnic benches inside and out of the perimeter fence and the play area is gated for peace of mind.
Keswick Leisure Pool
The swimming pool is well set up for family fun with its giant slide and plunge pool. There is a wide shallow end ideal for smaller ones and non swimmers, tapering into a deep but not too deep end complete with wave machine.
Bike Hire
Mountain biking in the Lake District has grown as an adventure sport
The leisure pool is one of several places in Keswick where you can hire a bike and the ride along the old railway line is ideal for beginners and families. For the more adventurous try Keswick Mountain Bikes or the Cyclewise centre in Whinlatter Forest. KMB offer a multi day hire service and can recommend route and provide laminated route cards. Cyclewise is an award-winning centre for all things mountain biking situated almost on the start of the Red and Blue graded trails.
Climbing Wall
A rainy day need not prevent you from getting out on the fells to walk or climb.
The newly situated climbing wall has climbs for all abilities, offers lessons to master the basics and a large bouldering area with crash pads. The climbing wall is only a few minutes from Castlerigg Stone Circle and the two can easily be combined. The climbing centre has over 40 top rope climbs. Popular lessons start from £10 including tuition for parents on how to hold ropes whilst children climb.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
The megalithic circle at Castlerigg is thought to be one of the earliest examples in Europe. As a popular tourist attraction, you could visit any day of the summer holidays and share it with countless others. But my recommendation is to come back later and catch the last rays of the setting sun. Not only will you take some really spectacular photos but also the circle will be deserted and you can fully appreciate what a magical place it is.
With Keswick being such a hub of activity staying in one of the many Lake District cottages in the area seems like a no brainer. It makes it much easier to get out and about.
George Fishers
Although not the cheapest outdoor shop in Keswick, it certainly prides itself on knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. It’s an experience just browsing the floors of clothing and equipment. Up in the rafters you will find the lovely Abraham’s Tea Room named after the famous Abraham brothers who originally owned the entire premises as their photographic shop. Around the shop you can see memorabilia and photographs from their era. Fishers offer an expert boot fitting service and you may also hire boots for fell walking.
Keswick Launch
A short walk from the town centre takes you to the lakeshore where you can sit on the newly installed benches and admire the view across the lake. This is also the main landing point for the Keswick Launch, a 50 minute boat trip around the lake. Choose to stay on for the full 50 minutes and admire the beautiful views or hop on and off as many times as you like at any of the 7 landing stages around the lake. There are several Keswick cottages in the area which will only enhance your visit should you choose to stay at one.
Walking!
Keswick Rambles offer a selection of walks to suit different abilities every day during the summer. Outside peak season times of March till October it is best to check their website or ring ahead first. Setting off from the Moot Hall each morning, you are in safe hands with expert leaders who know every inch of the fells.
Fun on the Lake
There are four islands on Derwentwater one of which has a house and private boat landing. Enter into the spirit of Swallows and Amazons and take a boat and picnic out to any of the three smaller islands and make your own adventure. The islands are wooded, with sandy bays, ideal for den building or just admiring the view from a different perspective.
Java
A great spot for coffee. In the summer you can sit outside in the market square and people watch. Or bag the sofas inside to enjoy something from the chocolate fountain!
Ye Olde Friars Sweet Shop
Covering two floors and nearly a thousand different confectionary products, Friars has been in the same family since 1927. There is a floor to ceiling selection of Jelly Beans of offer, Lake District specialty fudge, handcrafted chocolates and various quirky edible gifts and sets.
Fitz Park Play Area
The play area opened in 2010 designed and cleverly divided up for a variety of ages. There are picnic benches inside and out of the perimeter fence and the play area is gated for peace of mind.
Keswick Leisure Pool
The swimming pool is well set up for family fun with its giant slide and plunge pool. There is a wide shallow end ideal for smaller ones and non swimmers, tapering into a deep but not too deep end complete with wave machine.
Bike Hire
Mountain biking in the Lake District has grown as an adventure sport
The leisure pool is one of several places in Keswick where you can hire a bike and the ride along the old railway line is ideal for beginners and families. For the more adventurous try Keswick Mountain Bikes or the Cyclewise centre in Whinlatter Forest. KMB offer a multi day hire service and can recommend route and provide laminated route cards. Cyclewise is an award-winning centre for all things mountain biking situated almost on the start of the Red and Blue graded trails.
Climbing Wall
A rainy day need not prevent you from getting out on the fells to walk or climb.
The newly situated climbing wall has climbs for all abilities, offers lessons to master the basics and a large bouldering area with crash pads. The climbing wall is only a few minutes from Castlerigg Stone Circle and the two can easily be combined. The climbing centre has over 40 top rope climbs. Popular lessons start from £10 including tuition for parents on how to hold ropes whilst children climb.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
The megalithic circle at Castlerigg is thought to be one of the earliest examples in Europe. As a popular tourist attraction, you could visit any day of the summer holidays and share it with countless others. But my recommendation is to come back later and catch the last rays of the setting sun. Not only will you take some really spectacular photos but also the circle will be deserted and you can fully appreciate what a magical place it is.
With Keswick being such a hub of activity staying in one of the many Lake District cottages in the area seems like a no brainer. It makes it much easier to get out and about.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Wasdale – The Crucible Of Rock Climbing In The Lake District
The Lake District is one of the most important climbing areas in the UK. Climbers were attracted by the scale and majesty of the Lakeland crags and it was natural that the Valley of Wasdale beneath the greatest of the Lake District Mountains - Scafell Pike, Scafell and Great Gable - was the original hub for Lakeland climbing.
The ascent of Napes Needle on the flanks of Great Gable by William Haskett Smith in 1886 was a landmark in British climbing and is considered to be one of the first proper rock climbs in the country.
Although the summit of Scafell Pike is famed as the highest of the Lakeland Fells and therefore the highest point in England, it is Scafell along side, which has the more craggy features and which has always been the forcing ground for Lakeland Climbing.
It was on these crags that Bottrill made his ground-breaking ascent of the great unclimbed slab on Scafell Crag in 1903. Incredibly, in total extremis and seemingly climbing for his life, he was still able to raise his hat to a passing lady – history records that he was a true gentleman rather than a serial womanizer. In those days these hardened climbers used to ‘bivvy’ on the fells so they could get an early rise at the foot of the crags, how they must have longed for Lake District holiday cottages to come back to in the evenings for a bit warmth and a home cooked meal. If only they had been thought of back then!
There was another enormous step forward in 1914 when Siegfried Herford made the first ascent of the Central Buttress of Scafell Crag – This was by far the hardest climb in the UK at the time and it wasn’t superceded for many years.
Since then, three generations of Birkett’s have left their mark on climbing in the Lake District. Jim Birkett brought the extreme grade to the Lakes with his ascents on Castle Rock and the East Buttress of Scafell.
Don Whillans was at the forefront of Lakes Climbing in the fifties and early sixties and with ascents such as Extol in the Ullswater Valley, there was a short period where Scafell was usurped by the Eastern Crags.
Climbing standards in the Lake District were pushed through the extremes in the seventies and eighties by such brilliant climbers as Pete Bottrell, Pete Whillance and Pete Livesy. Then in the nineties Dave Birkett took up where his grandfather left off, pushing standards through the roof and putting the Lake District back in it’s rightful place at the top of the British Climbing. He set new standards throughout the Lake District - from Borrowdale to Langdale but his greatest contribution was naturally in Wasdale!
Rock Climbing can be great fun for all the family and if you are planning your own trip rock climbing, there are plenty of perfect Lake District cottages which make an ideal base camp!
The ascent of Napes Needle on the flanks of Great Gable by William Haskett Smith in 1886 was a landmark in British climbing and is considered to be one of the first proper rock climbs in the country.
Although the summit of Scafell Pike is famed as the highest of the Lakeland Fells and therefore the highest point in England, it is Scafell along side, which has the more craggy features and which has always been the forcing ground for Lakeland Climbing.
It was on these crags that Bottrill made his ground-breaking ascent of the great unclimbed slab on Scafell Crag in 1903. Incredibly, in total extremis and seemingly climbing for his life, he was still able to raise his hat to a passing lady – history records that he was a true gentleman rather than a serial womanizer. In those days these hardened climbers used to ‘bivvy’ on the fells so they could get an early rise at the foot of the crags, how they must have longed for Lake District holiday cottages to come back to in the evenings for a bit warmth and a home cooked meal. If only they had been thought of back then!
There was another enormous step forward in 1914 when Siegfried Herford made the first ascent of the Central Buttress of Scafell Crag – This was by far the hardest climb in the UK at the time and it wasn’t superceded for many years.
Since then, three generations of Birkett’s have left their mark on climbing in the Lake District. Jim Birkett brought the extreme grade to the Lakes with his ascents on Castle Rock and the East Buttress of Scafell.
Don Whillans was at the forefront of Lakes Climbing in the fifties and early sixties and with ascents such as Extol in the Ullswater Valley, there was a short period where Scafell was usurped by the Eastern Crags.
Climbing standards in the Lake District were pushed through the extremes in the seventies and eighties by such brilliant climbers as Pete Bottrell, Pete Whillance and Pete Livesy. Then in the nineties Dave Birkett took up where his grandfather left off, pushing standards through the roof and putting the Lake District back in it’s rightful place at the top of the British Climbing. He set new standards throughout the Lake District - from Borrowdale to Langdale but his greatest contribution was naturally in Wasdale!
Rock Climbing can be great fun for all the family and if you are planning your own trip rock climbing, there are plenty of perfect Lake District cottages which make an ideal base camp!
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