A Boxing Day Walk

[johnkaysleftleg]

It's been a quiet end to the year for wainwright bagging. Home improvements, masters degrees and general life have all got in the way to some extent. Fortunately the gales that have battered the county subsided on Boxing day to enable us to squeeze a couple more in to make it fifty new fells for the year.

With the higher fells promising to be clagged up we decided to head for the diminutive High Rigg. I decided upon a route from Legburnthwaite that could be turned into a nice circular by returning through St Johns in the Vale.
We arrived, left an eyeball for parking and set off on a beautiful morning with mist, broken low cloud and sunshine making it a wonderful day to be out and about.


Castle Rock by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Smaithwaite by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Views opening up by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Setting off up the fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Wintersmith by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Bare Branches by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Glorious Winter Light by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Castle Rock of Triermain by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Looking across to Bleaberry fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

Higg Rigg is a fine lower fell, full of character and, for the most part quite dry underfoot. This is apart from a boggy col where I nearly had a Vicar of Dibley moment but managed to withdraw my fast sinking foot in time.


A Gloomy Thirlmere by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Across to Clough Head by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Looking back along High Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Looking towards the North Western Fells by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Light illuminating Thirlmere by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

We had turkey (quorn for Veggie Nicola) and stuffing sandwiches (what else would you have on Boxing day ) on the summit enjoying the views that we most certainly wouldn't be enjoying on many of the higher fells around us. It was quite chilly on so it was nice to warm up again as we dropped down to the beautiful little church at St Johns in the Vale.


View from High Rigg by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Grace and Hughie on the Summit by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


South from the summit by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


High Rigg Summit by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Drama towards Helvellyn by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Church at St Johns in the Vale by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

The path back through the Vale is a nice route and we saw far more walkers here than we did in traversing the fell. The weather had grayed over and a light drizzle had started but it was still a pleasant amble back to the carpark.


Path through the Vale by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

We decided we would knock off Little Mell fell on the way home so drove around the slippy back roads to get to The Hause. It looked as if the sun hadn't managed to break through at all here and the quick jaunt up this less than impressive fell wasn't rewarded by a summit view. We did however get a great atmospheric look towards a snowy Clough Head wreathed in mists and cloud on the way up.


Clough Head looms out of the mists by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


On the way up Little Mell Fell by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr


Heading down through the clag by johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr

So a nice way of working off the Christmas Day excesses and taking us within 80 fells of completing. Here's wishing everybody all the best in whatever adventures you might get up to in 2014

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Ibex]

Beats my boxing day by a country mile! I was stuck playing charades with the mother in law.

Congratulations on the 50 fells in a year. Pretty good effort there.
I massively envy you being so close to the Lakes. How long does it take you to get there?

I've enjoyed every report of yours, over this year. They are inspiring in that you tackle the hills as a family and also that your photo's are incredible. Even your worst photo will be better than my best.
In fact on a recent trip, I attempted to take some 'arty' shots in black and white, to try and emulate you. Lets just say the resulting photos were deleted quite quickly.

If I am ever in the Lakes whilst you are, I would be more than happy to drive to you and buy you a few beers.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Beats my boxing day by a country mile! I was stuck playing charades with the mother in law.

Sounds Great

Congratulations on the 50 fells in a year. Pretty good effort there.
I massively envy you being so close to the Lakes. How long does it take you to get there?

It's far more than I expected we'd ever get to be honest but we have benefited by having some walks that took in quite a few at once such as the Fairfield horseshoe. Our drive over there is anywhere between two and two and a half hours. The only place that's a bit too far for the day is Wasdale/Easkdale unfortunately.

I've enjoyed every report of yours, over this year. They are inspiring in that you tackle the hills as a family and also that your photo's are incredible. Even your worst photo will be better than my best.
In fact on a recent trip, I attempted to take some 'arty' shots in black and white, to try and emulate you. Lets just say the resulting photos were deleted quite quickly.

If I am ever in the Lakes whilst you are, I would be more than happy to drive to you and buy you a few beers.

You are very kind and wise
There was talk of a meet up somewhere in the North of England last year but it never got around to being organised. If it happens this year It would be great to see yourself as well as others for a day out in the hills.

[L-Hiking]

Blooming Eck,!
Anthony I need some more tuition with the camera and I will have a few beers too
Great pictures as normal , Ibex says it all

[johnkaysleftleg]

Blooming Eck,!
Anthony I need some more tuition with the camera and I will have a few beers too
Great pictures as normal , Ibex says it all

Thanks Geoff, most kind.

[Musicfinder]

Anthony, fantastic photos that capture the winter light! Path through the Vale is my favorite, a great composition! Well done!

[johnkaysleftleg]

Anthony, fantastic photos that capture the winter light! Path through the Vale is my favorite, a great composition! Well done!

Thank you kindly

[SusieThePensioner]

A great way to enjoy Boxing Day! Some wonderful photos as always

I'll happily join you and Geoff, and anyone else, for photo tuition and beers

[johnkaysleftleg]

A great way to enjoy Boxing Day! Some wonderful photos as always

I'll happily join you and Geoff, and anyone else, for photo tuition and beers

Thanks Susie Me and Hughie will be in the Lakes weekend 12th/13th April, I will post it as a meet up on the forums closer to the time.

[DaveB1]

Hi JKLL, Great report and wonderful pics, Will look for April date and try to post a few more reports myself, Happy New Year Dave

[johnkaysleftleg]

Hi JKLL, Great report and wonderful pics, Will look for April date and try to post a few more reports myself, Happy New Year Dave

Cheers Dave and all the best for 2014

[CharlesT]

Thanks for this report and the pictures of an area I have fond memories of. I can recall bivvying as a teenager on the slopes of Castle Rock and risking my neck on its north face the days after - where did the years go? St John's in the Vale does have a special feel to it and is pretty much the same now as it was 50 years ago.

Not up to your standard, but I attach a fairly atmospheric photo of Thirlmere from High Rigg from my collection. I like the way it captures typical Lakeland lowering sky (quite accidentaly of course).

[johnkaysleftleg]

Thanks for this report and the pictures of an area I have fond memories of. I can recall bivvying as a teenager on the slopes of Castle Rock and risking my neck on its north face the days after - where did the years go? St John's in the Vale does have a special feel to it and is pretty much the same now as it was 50 years ago.

Not up to your standard, but I attach a fairly atmospheric photo of Thirlmere from High Rigg from my collection. I like the way it captures typical Lakeland lowering sky (quite accidentaly of course).

Thirlmere from High Rigg1.jpg

Thanks Charles, Castle Rock did look interesting, I have read that there is scrambling routes to the top rather than full on rock climbing, a place I shall have to check out sometime.

[ChrisW]

Lovely stuff JK and such wonderful photos as always, I've not tried turkey and stuffing sandwiches on a summit yet but I suspect they take some beating

[johnkaysleftleg]

Lovely stuff JK and such wonderful photos as always, I've not tried turkey and stuffing sandwiches on a summit yet but I suspect they take some beating

Taste far better on a fell top than they do in front of the Christmas telly.