karlswalks

Another Tarn, another windy night

2012-01-15T18:03:00.002Z

For my first visit to the Lakes in 2012 I had a walk over Great Gable and spent a night ( well most of it) at Lambfoot Dub a little tarn that i have long wanted to see.

A very frosty valley.

Great Gable from Green Gable.

The lovely Lambfoot Dub.

Frozen tarn at sunset.

I was expecting cold but calm condition what I got was not so cold but gale force winds which all but destroyed my Lasercomp. after hanging on for most of the night I packed up around 6am and skulked of down to the valley with my tail between my legs.

Full sorry tale on my website.

A windy night at Beacon Tarn

2011-12-30T22:39:00.001Z

Not the best weather at the moment for backpacking but I wanted to get out so a low level walk with a night at at lovely tarn was just the job.

Beacon Tarn with the Coniston fells behind.

I was giving the chicken pasta from Fusion Food dehydrated meals a try and very good it was too. I will probably buy a few more now they have dropped their quite ridiculous postage charge. What was not as good was my Paramo Velez smock which however carefully I follow the instructions on the Nixwax stuff I can’t seem to get reproofed properly. I might have to send it back to get the job done right.

A few more pics and fuller TR on my website.

Ravenglass to Borrowdale two day backpack

2011-11-07T17:59:00.001Z

I managed to take advantage of the fine weather forecast and enjoyed a fine couple of days on the fells.

Looking to the high fells from Muncaster Fell.

Burnmoor Tarn

Lord’s Rake

Styhead Tarn

Full trip report and more pics on my website.

2011 YHA trip

2011-08-04T18:34:00.001+01:00

We (me, Rob, James, Tom and cousin Jake) had a five day walk round the lake district. We stayed the night in youth hostels. Robert and James are veterans of a couple of these walks but Thomas and Jake had never done any sort of multi day walk but I was really pleased that they both easily managed the walking and carrying a pack with hardly any complaint.

Read all about it HERE

Getting Carried away on the Fairfield horseshoe

2011-06-13T23:49:00.001+01:00

I managed to get out for a day walk on Sunday. I started early to beat the rain that was forecast but in the end I got wet but that was the only downside to what turned into a great walk.

Lovely view on the climb to Nab Scar.

Head of the valley in cloud

View from Seat Sandal

Hard Tarn

Cairn on High Bakestones

Full trip report and more pics on my website now

Langdale Camping (again)

2011-06-08T16:05:00.001+01:00

Awful weather, car trouble and most embarrassingly a missed train meant that not much walking has been done in the last few weeks, but last week was half-term so that means camping!

Emily on the rope swing

We have tried a few sites in the Lakes but the kids always vote to return to Bayesbrown farm in Great Langdale. They know the area well and love messing about in the beck

The boys dam building

On Sunday we drove round to Grasmere and parked up at Mill Bridge and set of to walk the Greenburn round. The first pull up Steel Fell is a bit steep but once the top is reached most of the hard work is done and the route round to Helm Crag is laid out before you.

Steep!

Close up of the “Howitzer” rock on Helm Crag.

Thirlmere and the view Northwards from Steel Fell.

The Kids conquer Steel Fell

Jake practices a little rock climbing

We walked along the ridge passing the small Tarns and over Calf Crag and on to Gibson Knott.

Helm Crag from Gibson Knott

As we reached Bracken Hause (the col between Gibson Knott and Helm Crag) the rain that had been threatening all day came over, the kids decided not to make the last climb up to Helm Crag’s summit so I put James in charge and he lead the younger kids down the newly manufactured path to the valley floor whilst I ran (well for a little way) up to the top and then jogged back down to join the kids and then hurried back to the car.

Helm Crag from near the valley bottom.

Langdale Camping

2011-05-03T23:17:00.001+01:00

I took the kids up to Baysbrown Farm in Great Langdale for their first night out this year. The lovely recent weather continued although there was a chilly wind blowing which curtailed the normal swimming session in Great Langdale Beck to a brief paddle.

We had a ride round to Tarn Hows and a walk up to Black Fell to watch the sunset and to get rid of a bit of surplus energy.

On Sunday we visited the magical Loughrigg Tarn and after a paddle we climbed Loughrigg Fell and came back down via the cave and Loughrigg Terrace.

A few more pics are now on my website.

Cumbria way-the sequel

2011-04-23T23:35:00.002+01:00

Martin Keith and I met once again in Ulverston to have another go at the Cumbria way, or at least Martin and Keith are doing the whole way, I’m just joining them for the first day and a bit of the second. Due to time constraints M and K were attempting to complete in 3 and a half days at the most. This meant we had to set a fairly rapid pace so we all had trimmed our pack weights and we did indeed fly along probably a bit faster than I was comfortable with but I dug in and managed to keep up with the “Norfolk flyers”. M and K had to drive up from Norfolk on the morning of the walk so it was near eleven when we set off but it wasn't long before we passed the other groups walking the way they to a man (and woman) were weighed down with huge packs and heavy boots.

M and K near Tottlebank.

After a few miles of farmland we started climbing and arrived at the beautiful Beacon Tarn.

Arriving at Beacon Tarn

We were luck again with the weather although the at times the sun was just a bit too hot and we had to make sure we kept hydrated. Eventually we arrived at Coniston and after a rest in the pub we pushed on again and made good time up past Tarn Howes where we decided to call it a day and look for a pitch. After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing we settled on a lovely dry bit of ground with springy turf and great views.

After a comfortable night we made an early start and dropped down to the Elterwater valley and followed the path by the river all the way through Great Langdale. When we reached the Stickle Barn it was time for me to say goodbye to the boys who set of for Keswick and beyond. I know they had reached Keswick in the late afternoon and I’m sure they will succeed in reaching Carlisle late tomorrow.

Elterwater

A few more pics on my website now

A tour of the far eastern fells.

2011-04-11T22:24:00.001+01:00

Another make it up as I went along type of walk. I started in Ambleside and wanted to finish in Staveley, so I just had a rough idea of the route but would see how it turned out.

Bowfell in silhouette from my pitch on Troutbeck Tongue.

Lovely Kentmere from the bridleway leading into the village.

Early morning on Kentmere Pike.

Mosedale Cottage bothy

Lots more pics and trip report on my website

Hitting the wall on the Cumbria Way

2011-03-16T14:25:00.001Z

It had all started so well, I didn't oversleep, the trains were on time and I met Martin and Keith at the door of their B and B bang on time. I was already looking forward to a couple of easy days walking and wild camping in stunning locations so the fantastic weather on the day made everything seem perfect.

Martin and Keith ready for the off

We set of from the monument/sculpture that marks the start of the Cumbria Way, I was walking for the just the first two days but Martin and Keith were covering the full 80 miles over 4 days and were walking in aid of YMCA Norfolk

Looking back over Ulverston and Morecambe Bay

And looking towards the hills (the Coniston Fells in the near distance with the Eastern Fells further away to the right)

The walking was easy, conversation flowed, we were only walking to the small fells around Beacon Tarn so we were anticipating a glorious afternoon chilling by the Tarn with the tents up. We, if I'm being honest were feeling a little bit smug

The Coniston Fells are getting closer

The only (very small) fly in the ointment was that the Cumbria Way is not the best way- marked of national trails and as the path passes through the fields and farms close attention needs to be paid to the map to avoid going of course, this little irritation was to provide fate with a chance to bring us down a peg or two.

We stumbled into a bit of boggy rough ground and Martin realised we had missed an indistinct junction in the path so we started to retrace our steps and seeing that the wall was a bit lower in one spot Martin started to climb over but the the top stone came away and with his pack unbalancing him he fell backwards and hit the floor with a thud. My first thought was that he must have hurt his back but then we saw that the top stone from the wall had given him a right crack on the head and the claret was flowing freely. Once we saw the extent of the wound we knew our trip was over, the only thing that mattered now was to get Martin to hospital, we retraced our steps to the road and luckily had a phone signal so after not too long a wait we were on our way to Barrow A and E.

We still held out hope that maybe we could carry on after Martin had been patched up but the doctor advised him to go home and rest.

So that was the end of our adventure but the walk can be done again, The only thing that matters is that Martin was OK. I suppose the lesson is that even low level walks can bite back and you should make sure you have ( as we did) a first aid kit.

Cutting it short round Great Calva

2011-02-21T19:25:00.001Z

A very short but enjoyable one and a half days in the Lakes. Winter kit additions ( PHD Minimus Jacket and Exped 7 downmat) proved themselves again.

Here's a bit of “shaky cam” video from Great Calva

A few pics and TR on my website

Walking abroad

2011-02-13T11:46:00.001Z

I chose one of the worst weather days of the year (5th Feb) to dig out my passport and phrasebook and venture across the border to Wales. I was supposed to meet some folk from the UK walking forum but due to some cock up we never got together so billy no mates set of up the Llanberis path for a quick stroll up and down Snowdon. The wind was quite strong at valley level but was nothing compared to the summit. I had to virtually crawl up the steps to the trig point view thingy

The Llanberis path seemed a bit of a trudge but i should think it’s a fast way down after climbing Snowdon by one of the more exciting paths, in fact i broke into a jog several times and seemed to be down in no time at all.I spoke to some guys who were struggling up on the last bit of a three peaks challenge and I realised that I’m in the middle of my own three peaks challenge- Scafell Pike 2009- Snowdon 2011 so a 2013 trip to Ben Nevis is on the cards.

There were no views so the camera stayed in its bag, but the kids have expressed an interest in Snowdon so a summer camping trip looks like it’s a possibility.

Lingmoor Fell To Holme Fell and back

2011-01-30T17:18:00.002Z

Rob and I had a stroll in fantastic weather from Elterwater to Holme Fell via Lingmoor and some very scary caves.

Rob sets for Elterwater

View from Lingmoor

Scary Cave

Ivy Crag and Holme Fell.

More pics on my website now.

2 Day langdale backpack

2011-01-24T17:33:00.001Z

I managed to get out for my first overnight trip of 2011. I set of from Great langdale and headed up to Stickle Tarn and the to Sergeant Man followed by Thunacar Knott, Pavey Ark, Harrison Stickle and finally Loft Crag and Pike o Stickle. I then headed across Martcrag moor and camped at the little tarn at the top of Stake Pass where I have camped before. On Sunday I visited Rossett Pike then Bowfell down to Three Tarns and up over the Crinkles and finished by visiting Cold Pike and Pike o Blisco. I came down by the very steep Redacre Gill route back to the ODG for refreshments before catching the last bus back to Windermere.

Stickle Tarn

Pike o Stickle

Evening sky from my pitch

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell from Cold Fell

More pics and trip report on my website

Uldale fells

2011-01-05T18:36:00.001Z

Managed to sneak another walk in before the kids returned to school. For some reason i decided on the “back o Skidda” fells. Although I skirted the edge of the area on my top to bottom walk I had not been on these fells since April 2009 when I forgot to charge my camera battery so had no pics from these hills. I even got to watch a bike trial which took me back to my youth when i used to regularly watch my mate Peter competing.

Dead Crags and Skiddaw from Great Cockup.

Trial rider in Charleton Gill

Longlands from Meal Fell

A few more pics on my website

A Coniston round

2010-12-31T15:57:00.001Z

Another great day walk this time to the fells above Coniston. I started of with Wetherlam and worked my way round to Dow Crag via all the Wainwright tops on the way. I came back by way of Blind Tarn and down the Walna Scar road

Coniston Water from the long ridge to Wetherlam

Levers Water from Swirl Hawse

Dow Crag from Great Carrs.

More pics on my website now

Not going anywhere…

2010-12-18T17:41:00.001Z

I had hoped to get up to the lakes this week-end but the weather had other ideas so I stayed home and played in the snow.

We had a go at making an igloo..

A candle was provided to give our shelter a homely feel.

Silver How ridge

2010-12-13T10:11:00.003Z

Another shortish day walk taking in the ridge above Grasmere. Lovely day for walking with blue sky and sunshine but with the ground still frozen so making the boggy bits easy to cross.

More pics and trip report on my website.

Out again at last

2010-11-21T20:50:00.003Z

Managed to get out for a short walk up the East ridge of St.Sunday Crag. Plenty of snow on the tops but also very dense clag which curtailed my planned walk over Fairfield and down by Dove Crag. Returned by way of Birks and Arnison Crag

Fine start to the day

Lovely walk, pity about the clag.

Fuller trip report and more pics on my website.

Lake District top to bottom

2010-09-28T19:38:00.001+01:00

I took advantage of the forecast settled weather and made the trip that i have had in mind for a while. Starting at Caldbeck in the northern lakes i walked through the national park and finished at Silecroft on the Cumbrian coast.

Caldbeck. 10am Friday 24th September.

On Friday i walked from Caldbeck on the Cumbria way as far as High Pike where i headed for Knott and by way of Little Calva and Birkett Edge to Skiddaw and finished the day at Keswick youth hostel. About 14.5 miles and 4300 feet of ascent

Day 2

Stake Pass wild camp Saturday 25th September.

On Saturday i tackled the very boggy central ridge, passing over Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell, High Seat, High Tove, Ullscarf and High Raise before camping in fine but chilly conditions at the little tarn on the top of Stake Pass. About 12.5 miles and 3500 feet of ascent.

Day 3

Camp above Devoke Water Sunday 26th September.

I woke to low cloud on Sunday but as i made way past Angle tarn and over Ore Gap the weather cleared and it became a lovely day. I made way down through upper Eskdale and the took the valley track to Stanley Force where i climbed back up on to the open moor and camped a little way above Devoke Water. About 15 miles and 2700 ft of ascent.

Day 4

Looking towards Millom fro the descent of Black Combe Monday 27th September

After a very calm and still night i set of through the outlying Lakeland fells, past Stainton Pike and Whit Fell and finally climbed my last fell Black Combe from where i dropped down to Silecroft and caught the train home. About 10.5 miles and 2700 feet of ascent.

Will put more pictures and fuller trip report on my website shortly.

214 up

2010-09-08T10:25:00.001+01:00

Well there was going to be champagne, party poppers, loads of guests. But in the end i just thought sod it and went up with Andy climbed Fleetwith Pike and finished my Wainwrights.

A wet weekend

2010-07-12T15:55:00.002+01:00

When you walk anywhere in the UK ( especially the Lakes) you accept that you are going to get a soaking occasionally. More often than not i have a good weather day followed by a not so good weather day (or vice-versa) but this weekend it rained from the moment i arrived at Windermere railway station at around 10.30 am on Saturday until just before i left the station at 2pm on Sunday. Consequently this was the first backpack that i didn't take a single photo, my camera stayed buried in my pack for the whole walk. Did i let it spoil my trip ? -no! Did i have a good time ?-of course i did ! Here's a screen shot of my route-

Rowling End to Scope End via Ennerdale (phew what a scorcher)

2010-06-21T20:44:00.001+01:00

I managed to get out at the week-end. I couldn't really decide where to go so just made it up as i went along. It was another lovely couple of days but this heat doesn't half make walking hard work

Full report and pics on my website

Video from Helvellyn

2010-05-15T10:48:00.002+01:00

New Jacket

2010-05-11T12:38:00.002+01:00

My walk at the week-end was the first outing of my new Marmot Mica jacket and although it didn't rain i wore it as a windproof and i was very pleased with it. The fit suited me and it felt very comfortable over a fleece. The pockets were big enough for my Lumix FZ38 camera. I got mine from Go-Outdoors for £80 with price match although like a lot of lightweight gear it seems a lot to pay for something so insubstantial (so says a man who paid £25 for a cup and £40 for a tin with a lid) Hopefully this will sort my summer waterproof jacket needs.

Red Screes, Hard Tarn and the Dodds.

2010-05-11T07:48:00.006+01:00

I wasn't expecting snow ! Full report and pics

http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/

Mobile Picture

2010-05-09T14:49:00.002+01:00

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2010-05-08T18:47:00.001+01:00

Not in a million years. Call me a chicken and a big wuss but i would never ever ride the Big One. James and his pals went on three times. Crazy!

2010-05-06T16:30:00.002+01:00

James' birthday this week-end so its Blackpool pleasure beach fun fair for me on Saturday. But i'm not working on Monday so might be able to sneak off on Sunday for a one nighter some where in the Lakes

Harrop Tarn to Little Stand 24th April 2010

2010-05-04T13:18:00.006+01:00

This walk actually started on Friday afternoon. I caught the 17.15 train from Blackburn, which was a bit later than i had hoped. Things got even more delayed with a bit of a train jam at Oxenholme which all meant that ended up walking in the dark which actually was quite fun...Full report and pics at http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/

Testing mobile picture blogging

2010-04-18T13:33:00.000+01:00

Andy.

This was as cheerfull as he got. 90 mins later he was licking his wounds after a 5-1 defeat for his team http://bromleycrossfc.net/

Multimedia message

2010-04-17T19:13:00.001+01:00

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