The Vagabond Hiker

Hiking, trekking, and climbing the world

Lakeland Lockdown, Part 2:

The Northern Lakes

Well, this past month has revealed another side of England’s Lake District, namely, why it is so green. The clement weather of late May and much of June simply disappeared into the mist – quite literally. Faced with what seemed unending days of rain and heavy clouds, I largely abandoned my photographic endeavors. On most of the less damp days, I did manage to hike around the nearby woods and fells, though usually only with my camera phone, a poor substitute for the Panasonic Lumix in capturing the details of this amazing landscape. On the plus side, I was able to explore more deeply the local area just north of the market town of Keswick, usually without the encumbrance of an automobile or the jostling crowds present on the more popular routes. AND I did manage to hike to the summit of Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England, on my last day.

A view from Dodd Woods of Crookelty Farm (right, midground) where I was staying, with Keswick and Derwent Water in the background. Dodd Woods – more accurately described as a tree plantation – was right out my back door and provided some great local exercise hikes to the 500m summit from the valley’s elevation of 90m.
Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) and view towards Keswick from the start of the ascent of Skiddaw, my local fell.
A “view” of Skiddaw from Carl Side as the mist descends
Skiddaw (931m) vista with summit cairn. It is the third highest of the three proper English Munros – peaks over 3000 ft with a 500 ft prominence. (Sca Fell, Ill Crag, and Broad Crag, while greater than 3000 ft, do not have sufficient prominence to be considered Munros).
Keswick and Derwent Water from Lonscale Fell. On this relatively sunny day I did a loop hike from Skiddaw north to Lonscale Fell.
Hall’s Fell Ridge on Blencathra, another nearby fell, provided a bit of scrambling in parts
Summit view from Helvellyn with a cloud layer just above. At 950m, Helvellyn is the second highest English Munro, and conveniently located only a few miles south of Keswick.
Crookelty annex, a converted hay loft where I stayed for 4 weeks. The burbling of adjacent Mill Beck was cathartic and bird feeders attracted goldfinches and a great spotted woodpecker, among others. I’m not sure how much electricity the solar panels provided.
A view west from Crookelty Farm. The cows were a new addition during my stay.
Grains Gill and Stockley Bridge seen in the early morning as I began the ascent of Scafell Pike from Seathwaite in Borrowdale. Altogether it was a great loop hike with about 3200 ft elevation gain over a bit more than 4 miles ascent.
Skafell Pike and Sca Fell (left) from Ill Crag. If you look closely, you can just make out the stone summit shelter on Scafell Pike.
WWI dedication on the summit of Scafell Pike (978m), the high point in England. The mountain was donated to the nation by the local aristo after the war.
A view from near the summit of Scafell Pike on my descent route towards Borrowdale. Styhead Tarn and Derwent Water in the distance may be seen, with Great Gable the peak on the left.
Peering down an unnamed gill from near the Corridor Route on my descent of Scafell Pike.

Ironically the best weather of the month was on my climb of Scafell Pike, my last full day in Keswick. Now back in Hastings, on Monday I leave for Penzance in the far west of Cornwall. I am still waiting confirmation as to whether my autumn trips to Uzbekistan, Ethiopia, and Madagascar will go forward. Sadly, though, the Tour du Mont Blanc trek in September with my Utah friends was cancelled as for obvious reasons anyone traveling from the US must quarantine for 14 days.

Stay tuned for next month’s blog from Cornwall and where ever you may be, keep hiking.

The Vagabond Hiker

Comments

  1. Certainly explains the iconic green colors. Wishing you well and come visit me in CO!

    Terri

    • Thanks, Terri. I hope the corona and other viruses have abated by next spring so I can return to the States.

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