Walkhighlands

After completing my first round of Wainwrights in September 2012, then doing a 'lap of honour' on the Scafells, the next mission on my mind was to continue with the Munros. But, living and working in Yorkshire, the time I can spend in Scotland is limited. So that celebration round on 29/09/2012, over England's highest, turned out to be the start of a second Wainwrights round. Aiming to complete within a year would make an ideal mountain fitness regime for the Munros, as well as giving the chance to try some new routes up familiar hills. I booked Saturday and Sunday nights of the bank holiday weekend in Keswick, which would give me the chance of getting my tally to 213 out of the 214. It was 2:40 am on Saturday when I set off from Wakefield, ready to make an early start.

Saturday 24/08/2012: North Helvellyn range and High Rigg
28.5km, ascent 1970m, time 12.25 hours.

Having parked at Wanthwaite in St. John's in the Vale, I was walking before 6:00 am. The first challenge was the steep ascent of Fisher's Wife's Rake, en route to Clough Head. I climbed into the clag, which persisted as I moved over Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd and Raise. as I continued over White Side and Helvellyn Lower Man, the clouds began to thin, but there was no view when I reached Helvellyn's summit.

Next I moved onto Swirral Edge and things began to clear. There was a view from Catstycam, including Striding Edge, which hadn't been part of my original plan. But I couldn't resist, and so dropped to cross Red Tarn Beck, and had great fun returning to Helvellyn along the edge.

I descended towards Thirlmere, with the weather improving, but before reaching the valley headed north for Stanah. The sun was shining as I ascended the final fell of the day, High Rigg.

Photos from Saturday:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112721569181990874801/NorthHelvellyn


Sunday 25/08/2013: Great Crag, Ullscarf and the Greenburn Horseshoe
26.2km, ascent 1632m, time 10.75 hours

Bank Holiday Sunday was a warm one! I parked at Stonethwaite in Borrowdale and ascended Great Crag. Next it was on up to Ullscarf, and a descent to Wythburn Head Tarns.

An off-piste ascent was made from the Wythburn valley to Steel Fell, and by now I was feeling the heat. I moved on to Calf Crag, with a summit covered by a swarm of flying ants. After passing over Gibson Knott, I arrived at Helm Crag, ready for the Grade 1 scramble to its highest point, the top of The Howitzer. This summit, too, was shared with a swarm of those insects. Climbing The Howitzer means a Grade 1 descent to get off it, of course, but I was soon down.

I descended towards Grasmere, then turned right into Far Easedale. After crossing Greenup Edge, I made my return to Stonethwaite.

Photos from Sunday:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112721569181990874801/UllscarfHelm


Monday 26/08/2013: Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson
13.7km, ascent 918m, time 5.25 hours

Another warm day, and time for a shorter walk. I arrived at Little Town, Newlands, in time to get a spot in the popular little car park, and set off walking along Newlands Valley. The ascent of Dale Head was made via the old copper-mine track, in war, wind free, tiring conditions. On reaching the summit in fine weather, things were a bit hazy, but there was still an excellent view. I moved along to Hindscarth, and then onto Robinson.

The descent was made via Robinson's NE ridge, involving climbing down three rock steps, before passing over High Snab Bank, and walking back to Little Town.

Photos from Monday:
https://picasaweb.google.com/112721569181990874801/DaleHead

So I'd got my second round Wainwright total up to 213, with only Slight Side left to complete. I also only needed Broad Crag and Ill Crag to complete a round of Lakeland Hewitts within a year. Tuesday had been booked off work, and I drove from Little Town to Ravenglass, on the West Cumbrian coast. I'd arranged Monday night here, ready to take on those hills from Eskdale.

Some weekend Simon, you're certainly fit enough for some serious Munro bagging when you get some time in Scotland.

Man that is some long, long weekend Simon great shots of the wonderful lake district and a great effort toward completing your second round too

Thanks, JK. I did the Fisherfields in June, so the fitness campaign seems to be working. It now just needs to be kept up for the likes of the Ben Alder group. I see you've climbed over half the Wainwrights. Are you and your family hoping to complete? I'm also impressed by the symmetrical pattern of your Wainwright map. For many, other than West Cumbrians, the eastern half of the map turns blue first.

Cheers, Chris. You post some beautiful pictures from Canada. But with scenery like that in Lakeland, the Highlands and Snowdonia, it's very tempting for British based hillwalkers to stay at home!

simon-b wrote: I see you've climbed over half the Wainwrights. Are you and your family hoping to complete? I'm also impressed by the symmetrical pattern of your Wainwright map. For many, other than West Cumbrians, the eastern half of the map turns blue first.

We are indeed hoping to complete as a family but apart from picking Great End as our finishing fell we have no firm timescale in mind. I've gone to great pains to attempt to keep things as even as possible but we still need to catch up on the Western and Southern fells somewhat. We spent last weekend in the Lakes and managed to knock off another 14, certainly feels good to have less than 100 left

Great effort Simon

Fantastic achievement in such a short space of time

Thanks, LH. It's been a very enjoyable 11 months.