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I am well behind in my reports for several reasons I'll not go into, but thought I'd start to catch up by seeing what I can remember
from this day as it seems, and is, a while ago now.
My aim was to complete a Scandale round which would conveniently knock off the remaining Eastern fells I'd still to complete on round two. I could of course have started from Ambleside but decided upon a spacious layby towards the bottom of the Struggle. When I turned up (fairly) bright and early the layby was close to being filled by two 'overnighters' in camper vans. I managed to squeeze in, held my breath at the stench from the on board chemical toilet, and set off down the struggle on what was a truly blissful morning.
The Struggle on a perfect morningMiddle Grove FarmDramatic clouds over WansfellTo avoid the climb at the end of the walk I chose a clockwise direction and was soon enjoying the shade on the track up Scandale heading towards High Sweden Bridge. It was soon obvious, once the climb started in earnest that It was going to be a really warm day and the breakfast stop at the summit of Low Pike was most welcome.
Nab ScarLakeland LaneBowfell and the LangdalesShadyHigh Sweden BridgeScandale BluebellsLittle Hart Crag at the head of ScandaleWindermereLight and shade in ScandaleWall up to Low PikeLow Pike SummitHot DogBreakfast done with the climb continued up to High Pike which once reached, an easier gradient could be enjoyed. My initial plan was to take in Dove Crag at this point but I decided that High Bakestones was a more fitting destination for a Scandale round so off we trotted to visit the one remaining cairn from a purge a few years back. The survivor is a beautifully built construction and in all honesty far more elegant in it's isolation than with a gaggle of inferior siblings.
Scandale BeckAhead to High PikeBack to a sunlit Low PikeLittle Hart CragLooking back down the ridgeConiston FellsHigh Pike SummitScandaleTowards the ScafellsFirst glimpse of Brothers WaterFine Cairn on High BakestonesHeight now needed to be lost as we plunged down towards Little Hart Crag. This day could not be more of a contrast when compared to my last visit to this fell top when conditions verged on total white out. This time I wandered over the summit before finding a bed of Bilburrys in the little hollow over looking the view of Brothers Water and enjoyed lunch in the warm, calm conditions. This had to be one of the nicest, most comfortable lunch stops I've ever enjoyed on my Lakeland wanderings, pure bliss.
Scandale TarnHigh Hartsop Dodd and Brothers Water from Little Hart CragHughie cutathon part onePart twoPart threeOne last Hughie shotTowards Helvellyn from Little Hart CragScandale from the summit of Little Hart CragNext up was the losing of more height as we dropped down to Scandale Head before heading off the path in the direction of Middle Dodd. If I'm honest I'd hoped to come across a trod for this section but none materialised out of the rough uneven terrain and with Hughie objecting to my choice of route it became a real chore which eventually came to an end when the summit was reached. I sat an had a rest and a few more rations and also started to notice the pain in my shins which I hadn't suffered for years and never in my hill walking days. That said I had been a bit sore following some recent walks but thought it was more fitness issues. With not a lot I could do about it at this point we plodded up the final top of the day, Red Screes.
Scandale HeadCaiston GlennMiddle Dodd SummitRed ScreesLooking back to middle DoddFinal top reached I found an out of the way spot to enjoy the views before starting the long slog down the broad, poorly defined South ridge. This was a long, easy but largely dull descent brightened in part with the lovely view of Rydal Water which comes into view around half way down.
Trig point on Red Screes...and again, looking NorthSouth from Red ScreesMy eyes!Middle Dodd from Red ScreesSummit tarn, Red ScreesKirkstone PassRydal WaterDownhill all the wayOne last shotOnce back to the Struggle and walking on tarmac my shins were certainly feeling it as I hobbled back to the car on what was now a roasting hot afternoon at this altitude. The next few days I was in a lot of pain and eventually I looked at the Svartz footbeds of my Alt-Bergs. Unsurprisingly for a set of footbeds I'd had since I purchased the boots many years back and didn't replace when I got the boots re-soled, were totally gone and almost see through in places
Well that might explain things.