Hardly merits a blog entry does this walk but as its part of a LDP (Long Distance Path), it qualifies, just….
Just a quick day walk for the sake of something to do and to work off the hangover from the night before. N’s over ambitious plan of doing the middle section of the Gritstone (20+ miles) didn’t materialise, so the ‘easy option’ of the Southern Leg it was.A long boring ramble along the disused railway line (Biddulph Valley Way), up and over Congleton Edge, Mow Cop, then along the canal (also very boring) into Kidsgrove.
Crap Map
I think of the whole route, about 1/4 a mile was paths I'd not been on before. Dull with a capital D.
Despite a reasonable forecast, the weather was shite, with persistent rain for the first couple of hours, followed by a hail storm whilst on top of Mow Cop (ouch).
New Carving in Congleton Park (A bear, apparently)
Told ya it was boring
First sighting of the Gritstone Trail after ½ an hour or so on the BVW….
Somewhere near the Castle Inn
A lot of the route was extremely boggy, which bit of “Grit” and “Stone” this long distance path was supposed to be, who knows!...
Shit Tip
Shit view from Congleton Edge
A donkey blocking the path up to the radio mast on Mow Cop.
Shitty Donkey
It was just before this point, whilst having a piss in the woods, I noticed a small Tupperware box poking out of the undergrowth, a geocache.Log book duly signed I continued on my merry way.However on longing my entry on http://www.geocache.com/, its not even listed - weird.
Another for the collection of photos of “phallic rocks”…
Old Man of Mow
And a little later on, the castle itself which dominates the South Cheshire Skyline.Its not a castle at all, but a folly, an ornament to pretty up the view from Rode Hall.Those 18th Century millionaires were crazy folk!
Mow Cop Castle
There’s quite a marked difference in colour between the MacclesfieldCanal and the Trent and MerseyCanal leading into Kidsgrove. Why? Do I look like I care?
Journeys End
The Bluebell at Kidsgrove is a gem of a pub, highly recommended…
Another weekend in the glorious Lakes, this time with N. The Coniston Fells were the target and another YHA…
Saturday Morning started from home...The North West’s entry for the London Olympic Endurance Sleep competition started in Congleton it seems, with N clocking a respectable 10 ½ Hours.
Suitably rested (ha!), it was time to depart for the highlights of Coniston, but not before an ingestion of dead pig
Tesco's pathetic excuse for "bacon"
Another steady drive up to my favourite motorway junction (M6 J36) and much merriment was had on the way with the momentous occasion of breaking into the 40’s miles per gallon (well an eyebrow was raised anyway)…
Perhaps a contender for "Most Boring Photo of the Year" Competetiion?
So, straight to the Youth Hostel., ditch the car and a celebratory pint in the pub…
Coniston Holly How YHA
The pub was on old haunt, having been there ~25 years ago whilst on a camping trip with the Morrison’s.On completion of the Old Man of Coniston with David and Chris, Chris introduced me to the wonderment that is cheesy chips.My life hasn’t been the same since.
Not only that, the pub is in the ‘Guide’, bonus!Another one down, approx. 4,000 odd to go!(It’s a life’s work this one)….
Eager not to repeat the same “mistake” as last time (see Januarys blog) and ‘accidentally’ get shit faced again, we tore ourselves away from the pub and embarked on a wander up the Walna Scar Road towards the Coppermines YHA.
N looking towards Coppermines YHA
You can do your own punchline
Somewhere along the line, a decision was made to head ‘up bank’ and so we heroically scaled the unclassified hill of “Mauldy Bank”.This was a fairly prominent lump, and not being classified as a Wainwright, Hewitt, Birkett or Nuttal etc a new classification was born, the “Spencecroft”.You read it here first folks.
The first officially documented 'Spencecroft'
After some navigation practice, and a quick game of ‘guess where the hell are we’, (the GPS won, again) towards the lake we headed.
Coniston Lake
After N had satisfied his duck fetish and gained some extra video footage for his private ‘stash’, We headed into town for more essentials (beer and peanuts) and back to the pub for a well earned pint or two.Our circumnavigation of Coniston had turned out to be a good two odd hour jaunt, I am sure what would be a good walk in itself for a lot of people.
By now it was , so time to check into the YHA and get tea on (Spag Bol).Followed by a relax in front of the telly and a lovely beer later from the YHA bar.Later on we were joined by a couple of rather loud gentlemen, who had apparently got from Congleton (coincidence) to Coniston in only 1 hour, in a 1.1 Nissan Micra.Impressive huh!For us mere mortals, it’s a 2 ½ drive.
Anyway, after a slightly restless nights sleep (fat bloke + beer = snoring – and no, I don’t just mean me!), it was up at a civilised (“only” 9 hours sleep logged towards the Olympics) and away!
Packed and ready to go
The forecast was dire, the cloud was down, winds were gusting up to 60mph and worst of all, it was raining.Not too cold though, so was thankful for that.Here's the photos of the summits gained throughout the day…
Weatherlam Summit
Swirl How Summit
Brim Fell Summit
Old Man of Coniston Summit
Disused Slate Quarry
My next car with the Lakes in the background
Speaking of grey, apparently in the Lakes, Slate isn’t grey at all, its “olive green”.However bearing in mind the amount of grey in their lives, I’m guessing the Cumbrians have as many names for grey as the Eskimos do for snow.
Olive Green (yeh, right) Slate
The planned walk was 10 miles and to include 4 Wainwrights, 2 of which we had visited on a previous walk and so the 2 new ones were Wetherlam and Coniston.After a reasonably straight forward walk up the valley, a slightly nervous crossing of Red Dell Beck in full spate and up the hill towards Wetherlam.It was at this point, that visibility reduced to about 50 feet and the path became non descript and eventually, non existent!
It took a while to find the actual summit of Weatherlam, and by now the ground was fairly featureless with a covering of fresh (but slushy) snow…
"Weather"-Lam Summit (ba boom)
After a quick brew and a flapjack just off the summit we took a bearing to Swirl How (Note to self:List bearings from each summit before walk}.It was at this point that things started to become really hard core, the wind was howling, the rain turned into a million tiny needles and I was grateful for my new toy (ice axe) for a bit of support.On top of this, navigation was to say the least “challenging”, but nonetheless, we ploughed on.
After a gruelling scramble and stumble, photos at this point are a bit scarce but once atop Swirl How (802m), it was time for a new bearing towards Brim Fell and thereafter to Coniston.Visibility and ground features had by now all but disappeared and I’m pleased to report, that we experienced (and more importantly, survived!) our first ‘white out’
White Out
‘Enjoyment’ would be too strong a word at this point, but I must admit to a certain satisfaction and inner confidence, at being at such a mad place, in such mad conditions.It wasn’t without a few nerves though.
N in White Out
And so onwards to Brimfell, here’s N at the summit…
Brimfell 2011
Here’s N at the same point in April 2010, notice the recurring theme of ‘grey’ in our walks….
Brimfell 2010
It was at this point, we met Mr Orange.Mr Orange had climbed the ridge from the side and turned right instead of left, for Coniston.So we saw him twice as he retraced his steps, it was to be our first of many encounters for the rest of the day.
The final climb up to Coniston was without incident (barring the odd sighting of Mr Orange), and once at the top it was a quick shake of hands, on what I thought at least, was a pretty good achievement, before heading down the tourist path to the warmth of the car.
Old Man of Coniston
Getting ever lower, we were at last treated to a parting of the clouds with views down to Low Water and disused quarries…
Low Water
Disused Quarry
Mr Orange
So another walk done, a walk with immense satisfaction at having completed without incident.Our first ‘proper’ winter experience, albeit without the hard ice, but the weather more than made up for this.It wasn’t without its lessons, i.e. pre planning the bearings.But now at least a sense of being able to face any hill, in any weather, at any time of year.
Here’s the forecast from the day…
FELLTOP CONDITIONS REPORT from Helvellyn at 1215pm on Sunday 13th February 2011. Between 1 and 2cm of fresh snow has fallen overnight above 800m. With the warmer daytime temperatures this was thawing especially below 900m. The fresh snow now hides older patches of snow and ice such as on the steep eastern facing exit to Swirral Edge. Although only a short section the use of an ice axe is strongly recommended here especially in descent. Above 800m large banks of frozen snow remain above some north and eastern facing slopes and gullies so please keep well back from the edge. Full winter clothing footwear and equipment remain essential for anyone venturing out onto the fells. For those going above the snowline 800m crampons and ice axe are recommended in case the fresh snow and slush freeze overnight which may happen.Summit readings from Helvellyn today at 1215pmTemperature plus 1.9 cWind chill minus 8.6 cMax wind speed 57.6 mph Average wind speed 40.9 mph
The drive home wasn’t without incident, I appear to have taken a wrong turn and ended up in the middle of a lake….
An earlier than expected depart from Congleton at and the whole day ahead for the delights of the Lake District on a gloriously sunny day.
Church in Ambleside
Frosted bowling green and Loughrigg
After an uneventful steady drive up to Ambleside (I’ll get that average mpg up if it kills me!), it was time to hit the outdoor shops. A quick wander round the outdoor Mecca that is Gaynors left me feeling slightly uninspired.Gaynors stock seemed to be ‘between seasons’ with no particularly interesting bargains or new stuff to be found.How hard can it be find a soft shell!!!!
Anyway, that done, a quick wander into Field & Trek and bingo!Scarpa Mantas for £170!Bargain!Big problem though, unhelpful, spotty school kids for shop assistants.Would I get the proper advice I needed here I thought?No. Time to move on….
The Climbers Shop it is then, gnarly experienced staff and full of ‘proper’ gear.So bish, bash, bosh, long story short, now a proud owner of Scarpa Mantas and Grivel G10’s.
Oh and while I think on, note to self, liking the Osprey Mutant 38 rucksack – put it on the wish list!
Osprey Mutant 38
Shopping done, next stop was to ditch the car at Grasmere YHA and go for a wander, the day was still young(ish) , plenty of time to bag a Wainwright. So it had to be Helm Crag, a prominant feature overlooking Grasmere village and Rydal Water. What with the weather Gods being kind to me - it had to be done!...
Grasmere YHA - Home for Serial Killers & Rapists
Helm Crag and random B&B
T’was a lovely walk up the Helm, with enough variety to keep the interest and not too far to the top.With the sun dipping ever lower, the contrast on the hills made them that little bit more pretty to look at, with views over to Bowfell and onwards to Scafells..Once at the top, a bit of scramble brings you to the famous Lion and Lamb….
Two walkers 'bare backing' The Lion
… I can just about see the “Lion” bit, but the “Lamb” must be seriously deformed!Anyway, after sitting on top a while, generally listening to the sound of silence and contemplating ones navel, a group of walkers came heading towards me.Time to move on methinks.And so onwards, to the Howitzer which is the true summit of Helm Crag….
Phallic Rock (Howitzer)
It was busy round here with a queue of people wanting to climb to the top for the “look at me” pose.So, just like AW himself I dispensed with such nonsense and sat on another outcrop about ½ way up it, avoiding the crowds.Anyway, not to be outdone, here’s me atop the Lions head….
And heres tomorrows route between the hills....
Grisedale
Having spent a considerable amount of time, faffing and generally contemplating, it was time to get down, and dump some stuff back at the car.Oh, it has to be said at this point, that despite spending £300+ on gear earlier that day, I took perverse pleasure by doing the whole thing in jeans, trainers and a woolley jumper.“Up yours” to the gear snobs I say!By this time it was about , too early to check into The Bates Motel for Paedophiles (commonly known as the YHA), and find the pub, yay!...http://www.tweediesbargrasmere.co.uk/
Dale Lodge Hotel with Tweedies Bar attached
… and what a fine bar it was, 6 real ales and a relaxed atmosphere.Sometime, after that, I ate some “Coq au” (they forgot the “Vin” it seems) in the Bedlam Country Mental Institution (commonly known as the YHA), then back to the pub, then whiskey happened, oh and I discovered the next morning I had eaten a pot noodle.Why?!
Sunday morning, I woke as bright as a button with a spring in my step and raring for the days adventures, OK all of that was bollocks.I awoke, feeling like shite, very early to my roommate number 1 (Rapist) doing what can only be described as masturbating and roommate number 2 (serial killer) muttering in his sleep like a dog having a nightmare.Rapist eventually got up, (presumably for a cold shower) and I promptly fell back into a whiskey induced coma.So much for the early start.
So, after forcing down a fruit salad and a black coffee (note to self, bring milk and sugar next time!), I eventually checked out of the Grasmere Institute for the Mentally Infirm (commonly known as the YHA) and headed to yonder hills….
God my head hurt, and the heart burn was horrendous (Pot Noodle dammit), but onwards and upwards it was to be.The original plan was…
Seat Sandal
Dollywaggon Pike
Nethermost Pike
Helvellyn
The actual route as it developed was…
Dollywaggon Pike
Impressive huh!Anyway, as “N” will testify, that haul up to Grisedale Tarn is a killer, how we did that at the tender age of 15(ish) with full kit is a mystery.
Coniston on the horizon (I think!)
The weather today was like a different season to that of yesterday, overcast, cold and a wind-chill that could seriously jeopardise your manhood.Eventually, after one or two false summits, it was over a small col and bingo!There it is, Grisedale Tarn…
St Sunday Crag in the distance
The wind was whipping up through the valley here, so out came the full kit, at one stage even the ‘emergency fleece’ was considered, but it remained safely in the pack.One mistake and again a note for self, I left my ‘good hat’ at work, so only had the second-best hat, one of Shell Garages Thinsulate Fleece beanie job things.Dear readers – don’t bother with one of these, you might as well put a hair net on your head.The wind howled straight though it, luckily my head is hollow so is aerodynamically efficient when side on to the wind.
The walk around Grisedale Tarn was seriously icy, not bad enough for the new crampons (which were safely locked away in the car anyway) and could be fairly easily avoided.I was heading for the ‘zig zags’ to take me up to Dollywaggon Pike, the scene of an infamous “sod that” moment way-back-when.This place was ‘other worldly’, a different continent to the valley I had walked up from.The sides of the mountains were monochrome against the grey sky and the whole walk started to take on a ‘hardcore’ feel to it.
Fairfield
By now, the plod up Dollywaggon was almost becoming a pleasure (note I did say ‘almost’), so used to the uphill by now, by taking a slow plod and switching the brain off, ½ an hour went past without me even noticing.Its funny how exercise can do that to you isn’t it?
Getting to the top was almost an epiphany.Wow!The view down into Patterdale over the other side was fantastic, the pictures don’t do it justice…
Patterdale
Despite the arctic feel to the place up here, the plan was still to head over to Helvellyn at this stage. The path on top is an enormous wide track, easy to follow, it even has mountain bike tyre tracks frozen into it.I could make good distance here, so round the corner I went, to be faced with yet another enormous climb! Nethermost Pike…
Nethermost Pike
Decision time.Time was getting on, I didn’t feel 100%, I’m on my own, on a wintery mountain with the weather closing in (note to self: buy a whistle and bivvy bag]) and I was clearly missing the top of DollyWaggon by skirting around its summit.At this rate, I wouldn’t be bagging any Wainwrights! (excuses, excuses)…
So off the beaten track it was and an icy scramble up to Dollywaggons summit.Which wasn’t its summit.D’oh.Just a rocky outcrop.The summit was over there….!
Man with dog on summit
So a quick back track along the ridge line and up to the summit it was!
Dollywaggon Pike
Snow heading my way
It was well past lunchtime now and hunger was setting in.Couldn’t hang around here though, no way.So back down the zig zags, round the other side of the Tarn and back to the semi sheltered col.
Quick swig of the energy drink.Whoa! Wait a minute, there’s bits in it!On closer inspection, my drink had turned itself into a Slush Puppy, thats inside my pack and quite a distance down from the summit!Amazed I was.The butties were semi rigid too (story of my life).
Properly knackered now, took my time coming down the path (different path to the way up), taking pics and generally dawdling (I hate going downhill!)….
Frozen Waterfall
N – this the hostel with the sauna that we couldn’t get it into a while ago…
Broadyne Hostel
If you squint, you can just make out a couple of people on top of the ‘Lions Head’, that was where I was stood yesterday…
Helm Crag
So that was it, quick strip in the YHA car park and back home for tea.10 Miles walked in just under 5 hours. Not too bad, although disappointed with my fitness, for full days out in Scotland etc I need to be able to double that.So final note to self…. Sort yourself out Spence!
