Backpackers Club Treasure Hunt

Last weekend I took part with my mate @ianwood2011 in the annual Backpackers Club Treasure Hunt. This year based at Tarn Foot, Nr Loughrigg in the Lakes. This is a great event, Ian had taken part several times in the past but for me it was a first time. A good few years ago we had moderate success in Mountain Marathons, but this is a far more civilised affair! I would recommend having a go to anyone who likes to use their brains as well as their feet! It isn't of course a fixed route you can visit as many (or as few) clues as you wish in any order. Your choice of overnight camp also up to you.

Having left Tarn Foot, we decided to mop up the majority of low lying clues on Loughrigg and the Waterhead area before heading higher. Here we're approaching the bench (occupied) near Lily Tarn which held a clue! 

Skirting Ambleside and heading for Low Grove above Stock Ghyll....the cloud was taking some time to lift

We crossed the "Struggle" and headed off up the broad ridge towards Snarker Pike, picking up clues as we went.

Another clue claimed near the summit of Snarker Pike and with the cloud cleared an excellent view across to Red Screes and Kirkstone Pass.

Ian jotting down the answer to the clue on the summit of Red Screes, looking North towards Brotherswater.

We then descended to Scandale Pass, we had contemplated an overnight camp at Scandale Tarn.

It was a bit wild at the tarn, and we had some time in hand so pressed on. thinking we would camp somewhere on Bakestones Moss.....

In the end we camped a little North of the Moss, it was a bit of a bumpy pitch.
The Deschutes was very good in the wind, very little movement, pitched tight to the ground as this photo shows. Not me at my tidiest as you can see!

We got cracking early and were on top of Fairfield just after 9am to collect the highest prized clue.
We were surprised to find a women camped beside the cairn.....I can think of smoother places to pitch a tent!!

Retracing our steps back over Hart Crag and Dove Crag we then descended the ridge over High and Low Pikes collecting more clues before dropping down to High Sweden Bridge.

We collected one or two more clues as we made our way back to Tarn Foot, being careful to arrive back before 2pm therefore not being penalised for late arrival.

And to the winners the spoils....we managed to win.
This is the Tom Pape trophy.
Ian and I had enjoyed a great weekend.
Thanks to Colin who organised the event this year.

Rough Stuff Fellowship Ride from Keswick...to Buttermere

I don't get out quite as much with the RSF quite as much as I used to. But yesterday (Saturday) I made the effort to attend the first day of the weekend meet organised by my mate @ianwood2011 . Also there were Nick and Eileen, we had a great day, inspite of my attempt to alter the Lake District terrain with my Arm and Knee! (There was only going to be one winner there!)

Having met and taken Coffee at "The Saddleback Cafe" in Keswick we rode round to the West side of Derwentwater and followed the bridleway which contours Catbells.
Then from Grange the bridleway to the Honister road tested our skill over the rocky terrain. Here Nick and Eileen are on one of the short rideable sections on the track in this direction.

Once past Castle Crag the going improved somewhat...although there were lots of folk, not unexpected.
For those contemplating a trip on here by bike...go the other way, its easier!

Having stopped for lunch just before we reached tarmac, we stopped for a brew at Honister Pass. A council of war was held...and it was decided we'd stick to the original plan...and cross over the bridleway to Warnscale Bottom. The route climbs the flank of Honister Crag by the rather steep track seen in the distance.

Of course its never as bad as you think it'll be...(is it?) and we duly arrived at the high point.
Here we look over towards the Grey Knotts-Brandreth Ridge.

And this is the scene of devastation behind! The old tips have been ground up/crushed.and left it would seem.

Once the descent was underway we soon arrived at Dubs Hut. Well you can't pass a bothy without having a peek inside. It was in remarkably good order considering the hordes of folk who must pass this way.

Theres quite a gap between this and the last photo. The going is mostly unridable...believe me I tried and spilt the blood to prove the point.
Anyway here the worst is over and the view down to Buttermere and Crummock Water is rather good.

Looking back to Warnscale Bottom and the track we'd just descended...always a pleasing view.

The bridleway along the shore of Buttermere is one of many which has been "improved" over the years. Due to the late afternoon there weren't to many people.
Fleetwith Pike very prominent behind.

More Tea and cake was taken at "Croft House Tearoom", before the climb of Newlands Pass. The Inbred felt like it weighed a ton! The top came eventually tho!
Robinson behind in this picture .

Basically road work back to Keswick and the car, Skiddaw looking superb in the evening light.
Chips then the drive home, a great day even with the injuries!!

A Ramble Through the Meadows Near Muker

Another easy day, walking gently through the meadows beside the River Swale below Muker. Muker, still bedecked in Le Tour bunting was busy as always. We soon left the crowds behind though....

The paths flagged as you head off towards the Swale....and its not even the Pennine Way!

Looking North up the Swale towards Crackpot Hall.

One of the many field barns here in Swaledale, sadly many of them falling into disrepair.

As we followed the Swale Eastwards, we arrived at Ivelet Bridge. Which we crossed to return to Muker.

Tumbling water in the side stream of Oxnop Gill.

Almost back at Muker, and another dales barn with Kisdon to the left and Ivelet Side on the right.
Once back at Muker we rewarded ourselves with ice cream.
A short but grand walk in wonderful surroundings, and weather!

Edenhall (nr. Langwathby)

An easy day exploring the environs of Edenhall nr Langwathby in the Eden valley east of Penrith. An area I must have passed hundreds of times over the years, there's always something new to see...and learn.

The path follows the River Eden for much of the way, as it climbed away for a short distance we came upon this sculpture...carved from the wonderful warm Eden Sandstone.

The Eden is wide at this point, but shallow. Cross Fell, Little and Great Dun Fell are in the background.

After crossing the recently harvested fields we arrived at this cross at the junction of the minor road to the church.
 I can't find much about it at the moment?

The church of St Cuthbert at Edenhall, home to the remains of many of the Baronets of Edenhall, the Musgrave family, dating back to the mid 1600's
From the church it was only a short way back to the car in the village.
A nice quiet area for a Bank Holiday Monday!

A Day Out at the Seaside...and a Couple of Hours Beside Wastwater

Nothing complicated today just a simple day enjoying the fringes of the Lakes...away from the school holiday crowds. Here on the beach at Ravenglass, great watching a "Jammy Crane" (Heron) fishing.
 Flat strolls were required...and found!!

We had a chat with the owners of this super catamaran, they were anti-fouling the hulls....fresh back from St. Kilda. Lucky Blighters!

Round to Wasdale, and lunch beside Wastwater. Is there a better view in England?

After another short walk at Nethertown, we arrived at Whitehaven. The harbour has undergone a transformation over recent years. A huge change from the time over 40 years ago when we used to travel up here from Bowness to fish in the winter months.
The sign/sculpture above is of course the C2C starting point.

Across one of the marina basins towards the town.

The "candlestick" about all that's left of Wellington Pit, the scene of Cumbria's worst mining disaster.
This is an article on the 100th anniversary of this dreadful day.
St. Bees head in the background.
A great day, in superb weather.

Motorcycle Ride to Dunnet Head

I've been to all the other "points" on the mainland of Britain, and indeed John O' Groats and Duncansby Head. I hadn't been to Dunnet Head, (confirmed after a conversation with my father!..although he's been since I went on family holidays as a child ) so this needed to be ticked. A suitable target for a short trip on my recently acquired BMW F800s.

I dislike motorways on the motorbike so have a route I've used many times on trips through the Borders, here we see the entrance to the Kaygu Samye Ling Monastery near Eskdalemuir.

I stopped near Innerleithen for my lunch. The weather perfect!

I called in at South Queensferry for an ice cream....

and to see progess on the new Forth Crossing. The towers are visable "under" the "old " bridge. It's due to be completed in 2016.

Onwards via Blairgowerie and Glen Shee to Glen Clunie and Braemar. I was booked in at the SYHA for the night. I crossed the road at this very point on the TGOC in May this year.

Tuesday morning and the weather looked good again, down to Crathie then up the road towards Tomintoul. This is the view for those who look back...Lochnagar.

Corgarff Castle was catching the sunlight as I started the climb up and over the Lecht.

I joined the A9 near Carrbridge and followed it North stopping and exploring the small villages which I haven't been to for many years. This is the monument to Neil Gunn beside the quay in Dunbeath.

This is the harbour of Lybster, the old buildings beside the harbour converted into a very nice cafe. Coffee and cake were sampled....excellent eaten outside in the glorious sunshine.

A short distance further North are the Walligoe Steps...it must have been a different breed who carried full baskets of fish back up these steps!!

Dunnet Bay, another crowded Scottish beach!

The view from Dunnet Head lighthouse, ominously the rain is starting to drift in across the Orkney's.

The object of the mission achieved!
Amazingly it had been dry all the way from home, but as I turned to leave and ride to the hostel at Tongue it started to rain. Over the return trip rain would be a feature. Not many photos of the return trip!
Plus it was all on familiar terrain.

Tongue hostel, I stayed here many years ago when it was SYHA. It's now an independant.
I spent much of the evening chatting to a couple of guys walking Marilyns...one of them had done 1400!

It rained for much of Wednesday...infact only stopping when I arrived at the newly re-roofed Carn Dearg SYHA. This is a favourite hostel of mine, long may it remain within the network.
The ride home was on more familiar roads, wet until Fort William, but mainly dry from there on.