Four of us ventured out to the Lake District yesterday - Self, Dixie, Cogstar and Peakbagger. The forecast wasn't great and as we sat in the car at 09:30 with sleet coming down, we discussed our options - as in shall we go home now. Cogstar and me were up in Ambleside the day before, and as Prince Charles was rumoured to be in town, Paul made me drink 5 pints..
Mountain Mike was a little later than expected due to the traffic, and as the weather was forecast to be a little snowy we decided to do a small walk a little lower than planned. We drove down to Chapel Stile and got ready - we had a vague route that entailed walking to the far end of Lingmoor Fell, up to the top and walk along and back down to Chapel Stile.
Simple enough, and off we went. Now my eyesight isn't brilliant without my glasses.....and who decided that I would be routemaster, I've no idea....Up the road and into the quarry we went, only slightly away from the real path. We kind of knew we were in the wrong place when we had to scarmble up a mossy bank, and then boulder hop a little while...then the quarryman appeared asking us if we'd like a little help :-[, I was only slightly embarassed as he led us across to the real path - I knew it was there but no one would listen...
Then it was on through the woods, passing by a road sign ???, on a good track to the end of Lingmoor Fell - where I pointed out that we should go around the end a bit....but it appears the others took that as 'lets go up this way' - so we did. It was steep, and wet and snowy, but we made good ground up to near the top. We found ourselves in amongst some Juniper scrub and took time out for some refreshments. At this level it was pretty windy and the ground had a fresh snow cover of a few inches - it was great for snowballs btw.
After some snap someone set off up the hill and we ended up in the middle of a veritable forest of Juniper >:( - thankfully it doesn't grow really thickly and the branches yield to a bit of shove - all the better for letting go and batting the person behind. It was a tiring battle though, but we came out of the other side. No more excitement for a while as it was a plod along some very boggy ground - thankfully snow covered. No real views to be had, behind us we saw Pike of Blisco once, passed by a small tarn and followed the wall along, even though the path was on the other side - we wondered what the stile was for. ::)
Then it was just a case of a gentle walk down the end of the hill back to Chapel Stile - gentle for three of us, but a resounding splat for Cogstar - hence he's a little bit broken. He does need to get down to KwikFit for a retread of his boots, as constant slipping is not good for the muscles..
A great little walk that was 100% better than we thought it would be, and the pub was open for a pint as well. Thanks to all and it was nice to meet up with Dixie - a real gent and good company.
Here's a few pics - not good due to the weather (
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