free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
It’s been a long 9 months since I last posted a TR on here. In fact it’s been a long while since I managed any walking of note. After a slow recovery from a slipped disc, early in 2013, things just went from bad to worse. A few general cramps, aches & pains in my joints after walking began turning into more severe everyday occurrences & soon put paid to any walking ambitions I had for the rest of the year. Without piling on the sob story, a few blood tests & scans down the line & I ended up being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in February this year.
At the time I’d presumed that’d be the end of my fledgling return to hill walking but as it turns out it would appear that I’m one of the lucky ones. At present my lower limbs aren’t too badly affected. Many others with this wretched disease aren’t as fortunate. Obviously I won’t be doing any mammoth rounds or breaking any time records anytime soon but with a little learning of my new limitations & a whole lot of drugs
I can still get out there & enjoy myself safely. So this year, while I find those limitations, it’s back to more familiar ground with the Lakes being high on the agenda.
We’d taken a week’s break in the Lakes back at Easter with my 6 year old nephew for his first taste of any hill walking. It was also an opportunity for me to try out a few short up & downs to see how my legs would react & Helm Crag had been our first stop off on the way to our accommodation. With no problems on shorter walks I’d decided the Greenburn round would make a nice gentle reintroduction to building up to longer walking & immediately proposed to come back this month.
So after a 5am start from Worcestershire, three hours of daydreaming behind the wheel later & I found myself stepping out at Grasmere & immediately depositing my life savings in the pay & display machine
. A quick bite to eat & sort my gear out & I was off down Broadgate walking past all the empty free parking spots
& off up the Easedale Road to start the walk. No point in giving a blow by blow of the account as many others have done it so much better on here than I could ever achieve so i'll just give a brief report:
The first part of the walk & it seemed the wildlife had come out to greet me.
- Good to see one of these fellas doing well in England.
- What you looking at??
Then the weather forecast lived up to expectations & I was hit with the first of what was to be a recurring theme of rain & hailstones for the duration of the walk.
- First of the hailstones.
It's a short climb to the shoulder of Helm Crag & the first glimpse of The Lion & The Lamb. Despite the gloomy grey weather the Lion was looking as regal as ever but Wow!! . . . . how realistic does the Lamb look??
- The Lamb????
- Regal Lion.
- The views open up toward Easdale Tarn & The Langdales
The weather was certainly very different form when we were last up here just some 4 weeks previous.
- My Nephew & Sister-in-Law enjoying the climb at Easter
- The Lion at Easter 2013
A short stroll further on and it's at the proper summit or the "The Howitzer." From afar & in the guidebooks it always appears a bit intimidating but up close it really isn't much to worry about. I can't help but think AW is a bit of a wuss for not climbing it. Having said that the strength of wind & wet polished rock was sufficient for me to not warrant standing on top so just a pat on the top with my hand was enough for today.
- Approaching The Howitzer.
Next stop is onward to Gibson's Knott just as the next hailstorm was heading straight for me.
- Along the ridge to Gibson's Knott
Despite the weather it was still an enjoyable stroll along the undulating ridge & I was soon atop the next summit.
- Gibson's Knott
Following the easy path onward along & up to Calf Crag & soon I was enjoying the views back down along Far Easedale.
- Back along Far Easedale
It was then that another hailstorm arrived. This time the really hard "Stings through your clothing & bites at your face" sort of hail. With the hood of my waterproof drawn tight around my face, head down & low visibility from the conditions I somehow managed to keep walking further along the path that continues toward the head of Far Easdale than I should have
. Quickly realising my mistake, I cut back to my right & just made a bee-line across the marshy ground to pick up the fence line & vague path just before the upper tarn on Steel Fell.
- Tarn on Steel Fell & The Helvellyn Range still with a dusting of snow.
The going along here is pretty boggy in places but the path becomes more defined the closer you get toward Steel Fell. Still its a soggy but nice stroll as you gaze back along the ridge you've just walked to Helm Crag until you reach the summit cairn & the views along Thirlmere with Blencathra & Skiddaw are revealed.
- Looking back along the ridge.
- Toward Blencathra
All that was left was to follow the path down off Steel Fell & follow the minor road that leads back to the Easdale Road & that was that for a first walk back!
In summary the weather could have been kinder but all in all a great nice easy walk to get me back in the swing of things. As for the RA, well I've never been the fittest walker but it's certainly slowing me down a little & walks are going to be done at an even more sedate pace with more frequent stops. On the bright side that just gives me even more time to look at the scenery
I have to confess to a few minor aches when I got back to the car. Nothing to do with the RA though, i'm happy to say, just a couple of niggles from not having done any decent walking so for so long.
Looking ahead I'm not sure how this disease will affect me further down the line & my heart goes out to all those afflicted with any of the various forms of arthritis who are simply unable to enjoy the simple pleasure that walking brings. So for now I shall just continue exploring my limits, count my blessings & enjoy walking in the hills again for as long as i'm able:thumbup: ..... Next stop back to The Langdales!
