A luxury wild camp..

This time last week we had already decided we needed to spend a night in the hills, I was excited all week! Friday morning came and the weather wasn't on our side nor was the traffic. We quickly decided to book into YHA Ambleside. 

Checked in and bag dropped off we just couldn't help going for a quick hike up Loughrigg. For one so short in stature, it makes up for any lacking in height by having fantastic views all around and includes a complicated top which took us a few attempts to find the right one.

The Langdale pikes always make for a dramatic back drop for a picture. After a quick chat with a local fell runner on the summit we marched off and headed back for Ambleside, on the way down we unexpectedly stumbled across Rydal caves..

First walk of the weekend in the bag 7.26 miles, 2hours and 1545ft of altitude, back at the YHA we were quickly showered and change and on the march back into to Ambleside again for some well earned pub grub and live music courtesy of paper cranes, oh and a few beers! 

The YHA couldn't be in better location! breakfast with a view. Sat having our morning coffee looking up at the Fairfield horseshoe surrounding us it was just drawing us in, we just had to do it.

One of my favourite pictures from this trip a silhouette, dramatic cloud and big mountains, What more could a mountain picture want? apart from maybe some snow. 

The fairfield horseshoe was a real leg burner and a great workout it rewards you with great views. We followed this wall all the way off the ridge and basically back to the car, is the great wall of the lake district? Drystone walls truly amaze me they are in a sense, living history.

Wasdale Circuit

The walk started with a steep climb up Yewbarrow on the shores of Wastwater, which I struggled with a lot I blame having a week off! The views, especially of the Scafells, are excellent throughout the walk. And we couldn't have been blessed with better weather.

Yewbarrow also includes an interesting scramble as you approach the top. Which opens out into Great door, also a great view point!

         (unfortunately bad photography by me didn't include the Scafells)

From Yewbarrow we walked along the ridge onto Stirrup crag and descended down to Dorehead saddle. the descent of Stirrup is steep and loose so extra care needs to be taken here! after a quick top of our sugar levels we started the ascent of Red Pike..

After a little photo opportunity we started walking again up to Steeple, once we saw the view from Steeple looking out to the coast of scotland and also the Isle of man we just knew this was a place to sit and tuck into out lunch.. 

Our lunch spot, the image does it no justice you'll just have to get up there yourself to experience it!

After lunch we headed over to Pillar crossing Scoat fell somewhere in between, i've always been amazed by Pillar  its like something out of a Jurassic park film, I will definitely be returning to climb Pillar rock.

We then started the long descent back to the car via Black sail pass of course stoping at Wasdale head for well earned pint! whilst here we noticed a sign stapled to a door that read..

Is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers

Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints

We spend more, but we have less.

We have bigger houses, but smaller families

More conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense

More knowledge, but less judgement

More experts, but more problems

More medicines, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often

We have learnt how to make a living, but not a life.

We have added years to life, but not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back

But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.

We have conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.

We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We’ve higher incomes, but lower morals.

We’ve become long on quantity but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character;

Steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare,

More leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces;

Of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you,

And a time when you can choose,

Either to make a difference …. or just hit, delete.

- His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Just thought id share this as most people will walk past it And of course we couldn't help dipping our toes in wastwater to cool off, but unfortunately  no-one passed to grab a quick photo :( 

Windgather Rocks

I spent today at a very windy, Windgather rocks putting my climbing skills to the test, as I was a little rusty! Windgather is a gritstone crag located  in the Peak District National Park, as the name suggests the area is exposed to the prevailing westerly winds. I spent most of the day in a winter down jacket!

After my friend led the route it was my turn to 'thug' my way up. the first route was called Route 2 a VS 4B, for a full list of routes at windgather check out Rockfax. 

 

 After seconding a few routes it was time to lead one (South Buttress Crack).

By this time the wind was really picking up and we thought it was best to stop and sit down for a coffee. 

 After our coffee the wind finally died down a little and the sun started to shine, we spent all afternoon playing and completed 9 out of the 67 trad routes at Windgather I will definitely be returning to tick a few more off! big thank you to Fruit and Lorna for inviting me. 

Wet & Wild

I spent most of today wondering why I love the hills and why I do this to myself, I was drenched to the bone and couldn't see anything because of the low cloud. Before we even set off we were contemplating bailing and heading to the pub.

Regardless we headed for summit, aiming to complete Pike'o'Blisco, Crinkle crags and Bow fell but we all knew the weather wouldn't give.

Early january this year I tried the same route and didn't make it due to blizzard conditions, I knew the same was going to happen today. Had i convinced myself already I wanted to give up?

After finding shelter for lunch we reached Pike'o'blisco summit, the views were great.. 

The wind and rain picked up so we headed down only completing the one summit, but we found a cool looking waterfall. The decent was comedy and I spent most of it on my back (i'll be sore tomorrow) 

Back on flat ground I realised I still love the hills regardless the weather, It made me feel like a kid again getting soaked without a care in the world.. but i definitely need a jacket! 

Take it home..

 

I would like take a minute to talk about the growing problem, litter being scattered across our beloved hills. I have heard there has been various volunteering groups spending hours clearing up the vast amounts of litter around the lake district! 

Not only does litter ruin the views we challenge ourselves to see, but it could also harm wild animals the RSPCA receive over 7,000 calls a year about litter related incidents. This isn't just 'lunch litter' things like chinese lanterns, elastic bands and balloons have also been involved. 

We all carry our litter up the hill presumably in some sort of rucksack so why not take it down again? its not extra weight! if anything its less weight. Dropping litter now seems to be socially acceptable so if you see a hillwalker drop litter please challenge them. A touchy subject is banana and orange skins which i wont go into, my preference is to take them home too.

take only photographs leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time

A sunday stroll..

The day started dull and cloudy we parked high on the Kirkstone pass, anyone who has travelled over the Kirkstone pass will have noticed the scree slopes that make up the popular fell of Red Screes. 

The cloud finally did start to lift and gave us a glimpse of the Kentmere horseshoe. The route to the top of Red Screes is definitely a 'legwarmer' despite its relatively short route, starting at nearly 450m half the ascent is already done.

Red Screes summit offers fine views..

Of course it would be rude not to visit Middle Dodd and tick of another Wainwright, a short and easy out-and-back walk along Smallthwaite band with even better views across brothers water into Patterdale.

Having got up and down two fells before lunch time we wondered how we would spend the afternoon we toyed with the idea of driving to another fell, but before long we found ourselves in a beer garden in Ambleside, I couldn't think of any better way to spend the afternoon. 

The Dodds

After returning home from a family holiday with very itchy feet (not from the bites). Thoughts already in  the hills, I contacted a friend and we decided we wanted to do some wainwrights we haven't  ticked off. we headed for Ullswater aiming to complete the Dodds.. 

Car park with a view ay? We set off up through Glencoyne wood the route we chose was strenuous and overgrown and the flies were relentless, maybe this was the reason we ended up on the wrong path.

Or maybe it was my poor navigation? We soon stumbled onto Glenridding Dodd which wasn't on our itinerary so I say happy mistake, we bagged another Wainwright.

The view from the summit was breathtaking..

The next view was from Sheffield Pike looking towards Glenridding and the Kentmere horseshoe.

We had some brilliant views of Helvellyn and Catsye-Cam all day including the crowds on its summit, which made me realise we hadn't seen many people on our route is this a remote part of the lake district? 

Lunch spot with a view.. surely this is "eating out" at its best? 

The winding path up Raise was intriguing and i decided to bag another Wainwright.

The path back to Ullswater was like something out of a film and made me realise why I love the lake district so much, its pure beauty and tranquil sounds are truly relaxing. 

After 12.39 miles, 3,819ft of elevation and 7 Wainwrights we just had to have a dip in Ullswater to cool off! 

All pictures courtesy of Paul Titterton. Check his instagram out: @3asa_bird 

Drogarati cave

On my recent trip to the Ionian Island of kefalonia I also visited drogarati cave. Which lies 3km from the small fishing village of Sami in the area of Haliota.

Situated 120m above sea level, the cave descends to a depth of 95 metres and they say the temperature is a steady 18 degrees, but believe me it feels a lot colder!

The cave is regarded as one of the finiest in Greece, it also has the largest chamber and has severed as the venue for concerts. 

Nature has created a masterpiece of sculpture, in the form of stalactites and stalagmites that have grown here over thousands of years. 


Another place I visited whilst on the island was Saint Gerassimos Monastery.

The monastery features some breathtaking interior, every wall/ceiling is painted with biblical scenes in striking colours. 

 

I'd strongly recomend visiting kefalonia the sceenery is truly breathtaking..

Melissani lake

I recently visited Melissani lake on the island of kefalonia, it is a unique cave structure which is 160m long with a water depth of 39m. 

In 1952 when a huge earthquake hit the island the roof off Melissani lake fell in which now creates wonderful colours on the lake, which constantly change as the sunlight falls on it. 

                              

I recommend that anyone visiting any of the ionian Islands takes a trip to kefalonia to see the idyllic location.