Greenburn Horseshoe Nr. Grasmere

A classic horseshoe walk in miniature from Grasmere. A stiff climb up Helm Crag, and the views opened up, in all directions considering the fall of snow has only been light in the Lake District, the hills shone under there winter coat. I scrambled up to the top of the Howitzer, it seemed much harder than last time!

The knobbly ridge stretched out in front of me, the snow pristine underfoot, I followed the path as it twisted and turned to Calf Crag and eventually Gibson Knott. I remembered as a teenager on my first visit to the ridge, again in snow but on that occasion very misty as well, I managed to walk in a complete circle, on a ridge only 100 yards wide.

I ate lunch on Gibson Knott, then turned NE to drop down and curve round to pick up the path beside the old fence posts to reach Steel Fell with it's fantastic position looking north to Thirlmere and the Northern Fells. An easy descent led down the south ridge to the road and eventually back to Grasmere

Wray Castle

Only a short walk today, from the entrance to Wray Castle, through the grounds and down to the lake shore. The views across Windermere lake to the Fairfield horseshoe and other tops were excellent. It wasn't a day to linger, the north wind was bringing odd flakes of snow. We returned to the car via High Wray.

Hampsfell

A really cold , biting wind greeted us on the top of Hampsfell. The views across Morecambe Bay were a contrast to the woodland scenes we'd encountered as we strolled up through Eggerslack woods on the Cistercian Way. We dropped down to Cartmel, which was very busy, lots of people to watch, alas no Steve Coogan or Rob Bryden however! Back through different field paths with lots of stirks (young cows) to the ridge of Hampsfell, and then down into Grange-over Sands as the light faded.

Twelve Months

Well its 12 months since I started this blog. Its been a pleasure for most of the time, sometimes I was out and about for the day or week and didn't post my doings. I also haven't blogged after evening forays on the motorbike, road, mountain bike or just walking. This was a conscience move, although I will make posts this year on these trips, time permitting. I have also refrained from gear testing, I will pass on my experiences of gear etc after real use and sometimes abuse in the great outdoors. Anyway that's the summing up of the last years blogging, here's to next year with a picture taken in August on a motorbike tour of Scotland.

Dubbs and Sour Howes

A short walk from the Dubbs Road and up onto Sour Howes. A familiar walk in familiar weather! It never stopped raining, and the views were almost non existent.

Winster Valley

A short walk in the Winster valley from Roper ford a picture of which above. The sun shone and the vistas impressive, the Coniston range scattered with snow. A sharp wind kept us moving.

Barbondale & Dentdale

A beautiful day, an early start on the bike and a cross country route to Kirkby Lonsdale and onwards to Barbondale. It was packed with folk, a sponsered walk I would guess. Dentdale was much quieter. Back home via the mother of all hills at Killington.