Cat Bells Walk

Derwent Water from path up to Cat Bells summit - 3rd Jan 2009

We met up with Jon and parked in Hawes End near Skelgill. Climbed up Cat Bells (451 m) then along the ridge and up to High Spy (620m) then Dale Head (753m) and along Hindscarth Edge to Robinson (737m) then decsending the ridge back to Skelgill.

My love affair with ice (not) continued- at one stage above Miners crag a stream of frozen water blocked the path and made an ice waterfall as it went over the crag edge. I tried to cross it reasonable away from the edge and by stepping on the stones and turf mounds but I had to take one step on the ice. Unfortunately the ice was very smooth and off camber and as soon as I moved my weight onto that foot I fell and started to slide down towards the edge, I grabbed a stone with both hands to stop my slide, I stood up and had to stand on ice this time with both feet but trying to move I fell again and this time my slide went on quite far and panic hit my face as I reached with my trekking pole for a rock and just arrested my slide by hooking the powder rose on my pole on a rock. I managed to slide off but I was pretty shaken. I really could not tell how close I was to sliding over the edge- it may not have killed me but it would have been a nasty injury.

After that I was uber-cautious on every ice or stream crossing!!

We walked for over 6hrs and after 6 days of this I was pretty tired. Had a pub stop and then a snooze before a great Thai meal in Ambleside.

Tomorrow I ride!

Sharp Edge (Not)

We set off with best intentions of scrambling a Grade 1*** over Sharp Edge to the summit of Blencathra (845m). As you can see from the picture it was a cold frosty day with patches of ice wherever there had been water running. In fact ice was worst on the lower slopes. We climbed up to Scales Tarn which was completely iced over and covered with snow, some brave souls were walking right to the middle of it, despite the mountain rescue warning that if you fall in you will die as it takes around 45mins for anyone to turn up. We are so fascinated by frozen water and the ability to slide! Maybe its just we rarely get the view from the middle of the tarn- but me- not tempted not one bit- terra firma for me!

We started the scramble but every rock was icy and frosted and a slip would have had very nasty consequences- there is one tricky gap to get across which as the slab is flat was extremely icy and people were roping it across there but we did not have a rope. We decided thankfully to turn back as it looked worst (more slippery) on the steeper scrambles near the summit. Although we hate to be beaten, we are sensible- - I'd like to do this in shorts and T-shirt in the Summer really!

Unfortunately I decided to downclimb on the steeper sunnier side (with less ice) and after a while I realised that was a mistake so I had to lower myself by tricep dips and bum slides- not elegant and pretty scary but a relief to be down! I can say I really do not like ice unless its very thick and I have an ice axe in my hand!

We contoured around towards Mungrisdale Common and up to a cairn at 683m over Bannerdale Crags then we "skied" down (on our feet) the steepest route to the path by the stream around White Horse Bent to decend back to Threlkeld where the pub was shut!!

We ended up at the lovely cafe in Grasmere for Panini's and hot chocolate lovely. (With a brief visit to Rock Bottom)

New Years Day

Happy New Year! Wow 2009 is guaranteed to have a lotta change for me that is all I know. Time will tell what change that is but I'm determined it will be change for the better- chase the silver lining. Anyway here is how it started....





Usually this is the hangover walk but not for me!

We kept it a low level one though and Pete and I went on the 1st shift (fewer hangovers and quicker readiness, although maybe its just we two are too fidgetiy to wait for others). We walked from Ambleside to Loughrigg tarn and then for lunch at the Brittania Inn in Elterwater. The others were to follow shortly but they left a little too late and we had left the pub by the time they arrived. We walked back along the river Brathay 4 miles and 2/3 to Ambleside. Had a hot choc and cake then shopped around the outdoorsy shops. mmmmm!

Bike Treks had me drooling over bikes and bike bits but not spending!

I'm at my interaction and drinking limit today, so while the others have gone to the pub I'm enjoying interacting online via Skype and facebook and blogging! Maybe I'm losing the skill of interaction in the real world!? I do spend so much time alone at home working and playing that I kinda miss it now when I don't have part of my day doing that! How the world is a changing!

NYE- High Raise

Decided to do a trail out of trail magazine.

Up from Grasmere via Easdale to Steel fell then climb up to High Raise at around 800m.

We were above oceans of clouds with peaks peaking through as far as the eye could see and no signs of civilisation below- awesome. We were bathed in sun at the summit and hardly wanted to go apart from the knowledge we needed to get down by 4pm before the sun set!

We lost our way on the way down and ended up a much longer route making it 7hrs of stomping! amd we got back in to Grasmere at around 5pm just in time for a hot chocolate and a honycomb crunch Yummy! Top day. Sore feet!

I had a fantastic snooze as I was whacked out! Then we had M&S party nibbles for dinner and NYE celebrations with great pressies from Isobel in crackers and a berghaus top! Then we hit the White Lion in Ambleside for Auld Lang Syne and seeing 2009 in. I headed home around 1pm and to bed but the others drank on til 3am. I just can't get in the drinking mood it seems. Prefer my sleep and to feel well in the morning.

Helvellyn via Nethermost Pike

Climbed up from Patterdale to Nethermost pike and down Swirral Edge as the exit via Dollywagon was covered in mist whilst Swirral was bathed in sunshine!

Views forever above a sea of clouds as we had an inversion.

Whinlatter Altura Trail

MTB in Whinlatter forest- The Altura Trsail North loop and South loop- 18km.

I drove up to the Lakes last night and stayed in Bowness at Laurel cottage,a great B&B,cheap, nice staff, parking and great brekkie. I wanted to get a couple of rides in before the rest of the gang arrive for scrambles and walks.

Thought I'd check out the new built trails at Whinlatter forest near Keswick. In the car park at 10am it was -2 degrees and I did not like the thought of cycling in so many clothes but I braved a compromise and set off. My 66's were way too tall so the climbing up the North loop trails was slow going with my weight so far back but the trails were fast, rock hard and frozen but dry as the sun was shining all the way- and the views were breath taking. The trails and the little black stunts were great fun to do and after the singletrack then doubletrack climbs the rolling trails and downhill singletrack were awesome.

I carried on up the south loop but these trails were on north facing hills in the shade and were completely frosted over with hoarfrost. My back wheel skidded on almost every switchback and I was off. Then once at the top it was a lot of rolling down with no brakes or skidding a lot! Pretty tough going. On the last DH track with berms and TTs I rolled 3x TTs then decided to jump the last one as I had so much speed, I landed fine but... headed for the berm to scrub speed off but ended up skidding on it and taking a tumble. The guy behind me almost landed on me too. I took off in front of him again only to come off again trying to make the turn at the trail exit. He went ahead and came off on some rock slabs enetering the last bit of singletrack. I tried to ride past but skidded off the rock too! After that it was plain sailing but I think I'll stick to the sunny trails for now!

Great day riding- so glad to be back on a full sus with proper working forks, be even betterif they were the right height!

Must be 10 or so years since I was last in the Lakes and the beauty today reminded me why I used to love it so much- I really should make the effort more, (I know a 6hr drive is painful but this has to be worth it!)

Boxing Day North Downs Ride

I watched the boxing day sunrise over box hill from my bed and was almost as excited as the kids to get out of bed and start the day but for me it was to "get out and Ride".

Sure I had no new presents or gadgets to go test out but I had just built my Cove Hustler back up and added a new hope quick release seat pin so was excited to get away from it all and enjoy the crisp countryside again.

My bike unfortunately had a seized jocky wheel as well as a bottom bracket that did not like turning so in the 1 degree temps I stripped it down washed them and lubed them up til they were operational again and I was outta there.

Glorious views over Denbies as I rode up to Ranmore- sunshine and rows of vines. Every set of walkers out with their family I cheerily greeted and got big smiles and greetings in return. I headed up to White down across to Holmbury and then climbed to Leith hill. Fantastic clear views and warm sun even though the air was chilly at 2 degrees and my thumbs were numb.

I played on rollercoaster and then shot along Summer Lightning.

Oh what a pleasure to be back on a full susser again, even though its heave and laid back too much with these 66 forks on it will be sooo great when I get my 55's fixed or replaced with a lighter lower fork with travel adjust.

Once down Summer Lightning I had to grind back up towards Denbies and over to Westhumble and although it was a shame to finish my thumbs were very cold- I washed my steed down,packed it up and shot inside.

The house was empty now sp sneaking a slice of pavlova I watched Wallace and Gromit in peace, showered and headed home- so nice to have been with people but so nice to be back home on my own and do what I want when I want!

Great Boxing Day- I feel mellow!