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After the rain....let there be sun :-)

28/4/2019

Looking over to Mosedale from near the summit

This weekend brought along a mixed bag of conditions on the mountains here in the Lake District. Yesterday being showery and windy, whilst today was mostly sunshine and calm conditions.

I was joined today by Parvez from Leeds. Raising funds for St. Gemma's Hospice, Parvez certainly had good reason to be here and further conversations revealed the full extent of this fundraising. Somewhere in the £15k region for this walk alone, and there have been others! Absolute top effort. Hearing these stories is always humbling. Seeing the challenge these mountains present to many, but the physicality of the walking is surely nothing compared to the time and effort involved in raising so much cash.

Clouds were lifting the whole time we walked up, and soon the mountains were clear and looking magnificent. Even the summit was almost completely calm and warm, such a contrast to yesterday I think!! Lunch and photos at the top before we set off on the rocky descent path.

Another great day in the mountains, thanks Parvez.

Mark

Views to Scafell from Scafell Pike summit

Edge of the summit plateau during our descent

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A diversion to Helvellyn

17/4/2019

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Looking down to Thirlmere on our way to the summit

With a wet and windy forecast for the Western Lakes and the Scafell range in particular, we made a last minute change of plan yesterday and instead of the planned Scafell Pike walk, we aimed towards Helvellyn. This was to prove a good idea as we missed almost all of the rain and walked up in the shelter of Helvellyn, so almost wind free too.

With a strong Easterly wind forecast, we opted for the Swirls route to the summit. Quite a few other walkers had the same idea, although the route didn't feel busy.
For Natalie, James, Amelia, and Matt this was to be their first proper mountain, so a big day. With a steady pace the summit was reached in good time and I think even a small bottle of Prosecco may have been opened to celebrate :-)

A chilly breeze cooled us whilst on the summit, so after a rest and some time to soak in t he views we began our descent back to Swirls. Wonderful views of Thirlmere keeping us company the whole time.

We had already noticed the menacing clouds gathered over the Western mountains, and from about half way down we too felt the splashes of rain on us. Thankfully we missed anything heavy and the ground hardly got wet.

A few aching muscles now I think, but a big achievement all round. Thanks to the Marsh family.

Mark

Cruising up the steep section on the Swirls path

Looking to Nethermost Pike from Helvellyn summit

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An Alpine day on Scafell Pike

10/4/2019

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Looking over Wast Water towards Great Gable and the Scafells

The Lake District has been experiencing some of the finest weather I can remember for this time of year. Cold morning, bright blue skies, crisp and clear, light breezes or no wind, and a very occasional flurry of snow. Pretty hard to beat really, just pick a route that will be in the sun and all will be well.

On Saturday I was on Scafell Pike with the Rowe family, a mix of seasoned hill walkers and not so seasoned hill walkers, but all up for a big day out.
From Wasdale Head we followed the regular route up to Hollowstones and continued on to Lingmell Col, by now there was a fair amount of snow around, but the paths were fairly snow free. We blasted on up to the summit, expecting there to be a cool breeze but no, it was completely still and for many this meant T-shirt weather! There were even lots of bare legs out up there!!

The summit was definitely a place to have some chill out time, the views in all directions achingly beautiful, these were some of the best views I'd ever experienced up there and I too was keen to stay for a while. Eventually a cool breeze prompted us to continue our journey. Back down to Lingmell Col, then over to Lingmell to tick off summit number two. Lingmell by contrast to a busy Scafell Pike, was quiet, almost nobody else around. After more time spent simply lapping up those views we began our descent along the broad and grassy ridge back towards Wasdale, stopping for a Hot Chocolate break part way down, mostly to savour those views yet again.

If Carlsberg did days on Scafell Pike.....

Big thanks to the Rowe family, a pleasure to meet you all.

The exceptional conditions proved rather good for photos too, so we sent a few over to our friend Mila to make them extra special. Click on her name to see what else she can do.

Mark

Scafell Pike summit with Scafell in the background

The final few metres to the summit

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Winter returns to the Lakes

6/4/2019

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Looking towards Wasdale from the Corridor route to Scafell Pike

Earlier this week we were out with father & son team Peter & Sam from Bournemouth. Both keen to summit Scafell Pike and to follow the Corridor route, we met up at Seathwaite in the Borrowdale valley and set off.

Overnight snow had somewhat changed the landscape and we were faced with a winter wonderland. Achingly beautiful to look at, but rather more challenging to move through. Despite challenging conditions underfoot, we made very good progress. As we nearer Lingmell Col it was becoming clearer the weather and conditions were conspiring against us and we had to make a quick decision to either carry on, turn back, or visit an alternative summit.

The alternative summit of Lingmell was chosen and our route reset for this shapely peak, just next to Scafell Pike, but at a lower altitude, so slightly friendlier terrain.

This route gave us pretty much everything Scafell Pike would, maybe even better views in fact, and certainly less people. We enjoyed a completely empty summit, and were able to savour the far reaching views in all directions, including Scafell Pike and Scafell. The windchill effect was significant and I was feeling glad we had changed our route to this slightly lower mountain. A very quick bite to eat and we had to set off again to keep warm-ish! Due to the heavy snow cover we were able to take a bee-line route back over to the Corridor route, breaking trail ourselves through the virgin snow.

Thankfully there was a lull in the wind for about an hour, but as we descended further back into the Borrowdale valley the wind whipped up again and tore at our faces, reminding us of its power.

A great day to be out in the mountains. Thanks to Peter & Sam for good company all day :-)

Mark

#guided-walk-to-scafell-pike-from-borrowdale

Near the 'tricky step' on the Corridor route

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After the rain....let there be sun :-)

A diversion to Helvellyn

An Alpine day on Scafell Pike

Winter returns to the Lakes

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