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28/09/2012: Completing the Wainwrights, Whinn Rigg and Illgill HeadOn Friday, six friends and I set off from Miterdale to climb my 213th and 214th Wainwrights, the two summits above Wastwater Screes.
We approached Whinn Rigg, passing Greathall Gill on the way.
My penultimate top of the round visited, we moved on towards the finish line. On the way there were superb views down into Wasdale.
And so we reached my final Wainwright, Illgill Head.
The seven of us, l to r, were JP, Paul, Emily, Trudie, the author, Pam and Peter.
We made our way down, passing above Burnmoor Tarn.
Returning along Miterdale, we were greeted by a welcoming committee of two...
So, job done, and it was off to the Bowerhouse Inn in Eskdale for a meal and a pint or two.
29/09/12: The lap of honour, Scafell, Scafell Pike and LingmellSaturday morning at Wasdale Head, and six of us headed for England's highest massif.
Trudie, Paul and Peter headed for Scafell Pike, while Pam, Emily and I bore right towards Scafell Crag.
We ventured into Lord's Rake, grim death staring at us from above.
But it stayed wedged in place for at least one more day...
...however, there is a significant crack low down in that chockstone, and at some point it will fall.
We moved on to Symonds Knott, with fleeting views of Scafell Pike.
And next onto the summit of Scafell, Emily and Pam's first time here.
Conditions were rather wild so we quickly headed down to Foxes Tarn, then descended a wet and slippery Foxes Tarn Gulley. Next we began the slog back up to Mickledore, the Ladies taking a breather.
We reached the ridge, Mickledore, looking back at a misty Scafell Crag.
And so we moved on to Scafell Pike. This was Pam and Emily's first time on England's highest, my seventh!
Next we headed for Lingmell Col, hoping we might catch just one summit with a view on the day. We dropped out of the clag and climbed onto Lingmell. There we found what we had wished for, great views including Sty Head and Great Gable.
After a short stop we made a direct descent to Wasdale Head.
Pam drove back towards our b and b in Eskdale, but on the way we pulled in next to Wastwater, to see that classic view of the screes. And so we looked up at the skyline where we'd been the day before.
29 September is also my birthday. Back at the Bowerhouse Inn that night, my seven friends, the six hiking companions and Martin, Trudie's partner, gave me a present. It was a tankard with an inscription, congratulating me on completing the Wainwrights. So I must thank them for a very memorable long weekend in the Lake District.
On Sunday morning, during breakfast, one of two little friends we'd seen on Saturday reappeared outside the window.
So, the Wainwright round has been finished, but there's no feeling of a lost target or missing the challenge. The mountains are still there, including many in Scotland and Wales I've yet to set foot on. And there will certainly be many repeat visits to Lakeland, probably trying out new and interesting routes.
