My first blog so be gentle !
Day 1. Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg.
So with the May bank holiday looming and an extended weekend off work on the horizon I decided to sling together an impromptu weekend trip to the Lakes. Not strictly unplanned as I had been chomping at the bit for this one for a while and having just secured rail fare to the tune of £42.50 return from Derby to Windermere there were no more excuses!
The plan I had was to complete the Fairfield Horseshoe on day 1, wild camp overnight then trek on over to Grasmere and on up to Easedale Tarn on day 2 to camp the night there and then hike back to Windermere to catch the train home.
So without further interruption I began to pack my recently purchased Osprey Xenith 75 litre pack with all of the Food, Clothing and camping equipment I would need for three days on the hills (I may draw up a kit list at some point of all of the equipment and gadgetry I normally take on such a trip) which in total weighed a staggering 24.8kg including two litres of water. I knew before I left this was going to be a challenge!
And so it begins. 05:00 alarm calls the wake up and I jump out of bed to finish the preparations and make my way to Derby station. The train leaves 06:40 and I arrive with ten minutes to spare so grab a quick coffee from Costa to start off my journey on the right foot!(no pun intended)
I finally arrived at Windermere at around half ten after a change at Crewe then again at Preston. I then hurried my way to the open top bus to complete the first leg and arrive at Ambleside.
After stocking up on some baked goods at the Apple Pie Shop the journey could really begin and as the weight on my back started to make it's presence known the start of the Fairfield horseshoe loomed into view. Nab Scar!
Stood at the foot of Nab Scar I slurped some water from my hydration bladder in an attempt to ready myself for the impending relentless ascent!
About twenty minutes into the challenge I began to liken the ascent to that of Jacob's Ladder on the way up to Kinder Scout(my home mountain) in the way the steep rocky path seems to have been laid in stone for a good portion of the climb before becoming more rugged.
About twenty minutes into the challenge I began to liken the ascent to that of Jacob's Ladder on the way up to Kinder Scout(my home mountain) in the way the steep rocky path seems to have been laid in stone for a good portion of the climb before becoming more rugged.
As the climb steepens the views become more spectacular with Windermere behind me, Rydal Water to my left and Grasmere to the fore reminding me that I'm still alive as I fight to catch my breath in the breeze.
After passing only Sheep on the final push to the top I decided a well earned rest was on the cards and sat a while enjoying a coffee and a Raspberry and Almond slice I purchased earlier.
Soon it was time to continue and the weather decided to make an appearance in the form of wind and patches of rain. I continued along Heron Pike and then on to Great Rigg before heading towards Fairfield.
Soon it was time to continue and the weather decided to make an appearance in the form of wind and patches of rain. I continued along Heron Pike and then on to Great Rigg before heading towards Fairfield.
The closer I got to Fairfield the wetter things got and the wind picked up considerably the higher I went until the gusts began to blow me over as I approached the summit. Things got so bad that the final topping of the peak forced a reluctant retreat out of me as I decided that the safest course of action was to descend a little, camp the night and finish the Horseshoe after breakfast starting with Fairfield as this now became personal.
By the time I pitched up I was incredibly hungry and settled on a Chicken Tikka Masala and by the time I'd eaten I was exhausted and also really low on water, but decided to leave it until the morning to find and filter some to use and top up my bottles en route.
Day 2. Fairfield Peak, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike, Low Pike. Then on to Rydal, Grasmere and Easedale Tarn.
The following morning I awoke early to a bright sky and some lovely clouds. I then packed away to continue my ascent of Fairfield without having breakfast as I still needed to find water. Due to not having any water and not having breakfast the rest of this leg of the journey was arduous and more than a challenge. I finally came across a pool of water to filter from and duly filled up everything I had. While enjoying a rest I hydrated myself as by now I knew I was becoming dehydrated. I didn't manage to take any more pictures along the way due to a flat battery in my camera and not having the energy to change it.
Day 2. Fairfield Peak, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike, Low Pike. Then on to Rydal, Grasmere and Easedale Tarn.
The following morning I awoke early to a bright sky and some lovely clouds. I then packed away to continue my ascent of Fairfield without having breakfast as I still needed to find water. Due to not having any water and not having breakfast the rest of this leg of the journey was arduous and more than a challenge. I finally came across a pool of water to filter from and duly filled up everything I had. While enjoying a rest I hydrated myself as by now I knew I was becoming dehydrated. I didn't manage to take any more pictures along the way due to a flat battery in my camera and not having the energy to change it.
After a damn good drink I managed to have breakfast and a strong coffee I completed Fairfield very slowly and then as I came over Hart Crag my energy started to return(not sure if was because I had breakfast or because I could see the downhill section of the return to Ambleside in sight). The rest of the descent remained steady and uneventful as I made my way back down into Ambleside and thus completing The Fairfield Horseshoe. Sorry no pictures.
Once back in Ambleside I decided to take things easy as I was still pretty tired and headed to a café for a spot of lunch before embarking on stage two of the day which I intended to be a more gentle affair.
I took a steady stroll along Rydal Water from Ambleside and headed off to Grasmere where I just Lay in the sun around the Lake for a good couple of hours.
Once back in Ambleside I decided to take things easy as I was still pretty tired and headed to a café for a spot of lunch before embarking on stage two of the day which I intended to be a more gentle affair.
I took a steady stroll along Rydal Water from Ambleside and headed off to Grasmere where I just Lay in the sun around the Lake for a good couple of hours.
After having a nice little Lakeside nap I decided to head into Grasmere village, buy some of the famous Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread to enjoy later with a hot chocolate and then as the afternoon turned to evening I began to walk up to Easedale Tarn where I had planned to spend the night.( After having a crafty couple of ales in the Red Lion).
This was a lovely spot and surprisingly busy with late evening walkers, Fell runners and of course Sheep. I decided that with such heavy foot traffic this wasn't going to be the peaceful wild camp I had hoped for so decided to move on to a better spot.
After a little deliberation I decided that I would walk back down to Grasmere and on over to Loughrigg Fell where I would spend the night and have a little more peace and quiet.
I felt strong climbing up Loughrigg terrace en route to the fell top and looked forward to a decent rest once I had the tent up. I decided to wander a little as finding a level pitch was proving difficult and at this point the rain started and the midges came out!
Day 3. Pack up, go home, from Loughrigg fell past Rydal back to Ambleside then on to Windermere for the journey home.
After a good night's sleep despite the rain I enjoyed a good breakfast, coffee then packed away as today was the day I returned home. The walk down off the fell to conclude this trip gave me time to reflect on the experience I had enjoyed over the last few days and all in all was most enjoyable. I met with a few early morning runners on my way down into Ambleside and a real character of a sheep.
After a good night's sleep despite the rain I enjoyed a good breakfast, coffee then packed away as today was the day I returned home. The walk down off the fell to conclude this trip gave me time to reflect on the experience I had enjoyed over the last few days and all in all was most enjoyable. I met with a few early morning runners on my way down into Ambleside and a real character of a sheep.
Once back at Ambleside I decide to walk to Waterhead and catch the ferry over to Windermere as I had not yet had this pleasure even during my many trips to the Lakes and was delighted to find they had a bar aboard the ferry! Of course it would have been rude not to so a pint of Hawkshead ale slid down rather nicely and before long the ferry arrived at Windermere. The only thing left was to walk up the hill to the railway station and wait for the train(stopping off at Booth's first to resupply on some goodies).
An awesome trip of hiking and wild camping, can't wait to get back to the Lakes....................