It's rare to meet hardly anyone on the main routes in the Lakes, but Saturday was one of those days. MWIS gave one of those ambigous forecast that is fatal for those optimists among us. And after many months of enforced inactivity following quite a serious accident in September last, I was desperate to get out in them thar hills.
Notwithstanding that my last excursion into the lakes was done on the back of a similarly reasonable MWIS forecast, to do a Wasdale horseshoe, from Yewbarrow, to Scafell; and dense clag reigned for the whole 10 hours, with visibility rarely greater than 50m.....
I hadn't been to Langdale for 40 years or so, and it's nearer than Scotland, so I thought....
So not much else to say really, except perhaps for a couple of worthwhile lessons:
1. You can have some great days when no-one else wants to be out there; and there were some reasonable views from time to time. So the pics are rather bitty, taken only when the cloud cleared.
2. If you can't see anything at all, don't trust to your instincts - trust to your compass, and use it every 5 minutes or so. I wandered around Harrison Stickle with visibility down to about 50m for a couple of hours, trusting to my instincts. It was only when I saw some footprints that looked suspiciously like those made by the shoes I was wearing that I got a bit more disciplined and sorted out where I was going!
3. There's a very interesting drop off the East end of Bowfell, that I'd rate as a G3 scramble/climb, especially when it's covered in snow etc. In the pub later I talked to a guy who'd passed on the top, and he told me it's avoidable, but many footprints led there. I imagine a few must have turned back.
After a 04.00am start, I got to Langdale at about 7.30am. No cars in the car park. A good sign.
I'm really quite cream crackered at the end. The lack of fitness after 6 months of inactivity following quite a serious accident in autumn really shows. But a thoroughly enjoyable day. I probably met 10 people all day. In Langdale. Honestly!
This board helps you to share your walking route experiences in England and Wales... or overseas.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.
Langdale Horseshoe - a weather window - sort of
Langdale Horseshoe - a weather window - sort of
by Alteknacker » Tue Mar 04, 2014 1:32 am
Wainwrights included on this walk: Bowfell, Crinkle Crags, Esk Pike, Harrison Stickle, Pike o'Blisco, Pike o'Stickle, Rosset Pike
Hewitts included on this walk: Bowfell, Crinkle Crags (Long Top), Crinkle Crags South Top, Esk Pike, Harrison Stickle, Pike o' Stickle, Pike of Blisco, Rossett Pike, Shelter Crags
Date walked: 02/03/2014
Time taken: 10.5
Distance: 20.2 km
Ascent: 1825m
1 person thinks this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).Last edited by Alteknacker on Tue Feb 27, 2018 11:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Langdale Horseshoe - a weather window - sort of
by ChrisW » Wed Mar 05, 2014 7:23 am
A fine read and a bloody long haul for a first trip back in 6 months, I laughed at the 'circling until you saw your own footprints'
I think we've all done something similar at least once
Only 10 people in Langdale all day....did you damage your eyes in that accident 



Re: Langdale Horseshoe - a weather window - sort of
by CharlesT » Sat Mar 08, 2014 11:34 am
Tut-Tut you left out Cold Pike!!! You'll have to go back and do it again as a penance
Great report, took me back 50 years to my teenage weekends mostly spent in Langdale and have walked that route in full-on Winter conditions and met no-one. Where I learned to navigate and walk in circles too. Good the weather cleared for you, Esk Hause in zero visibility can be a nightmare.
Stay healthy.

Great report, took me back 50 years to my teenage weekends mostly spent in Langdale and have walked that route in full-on Winter conditions and met no-one. Where I learned to navigate and walk in circles too. Good the weather cleared for you, Esk Hause in zero visibility can be a nightmare.
Stay healthy.
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