a walk in the lake district
My first real exploration of hillier lands within the UK started in the Snowdonia National Park in north Wales, completing the Snowdon Horseshoe via Crib Goch of all things. With not only a 38 litre bag, but another 10 litre bag attached to the back of it and a very inappropriate sleeping bag (not only was it my first hike, but my first mountain and wild camp!).
Despite not getting more than 30 consecutive minutes sleep the whole night, having camped not far from the summit and being freezing cold all night, I enjoyed it thoroughly and its stuck with me ever since!
fast forward a few years, having travelled back numerous times a year every year for similar adventures I was flicking through Trail Magazine’s list of top 100 UK peaks ticking my summits off, and it dawned on me that, other than doing Scafell Pike, I hadn’t really ventured into the Lake District National Park!
Outraged at the realisation I started making trips, and before we know it, me and Bo are making our way through the 214 Wainwright’s.
This day-hike bringing us up to 39 out of 214, see’s us bounding over Gray Crag, Thornthwaite Crag, Stony Cove Pike, and Hartsop Dodd!
Parking in a little car park at Hartsop, the trail, like many others before it starts gradual, making its way past sheep folds new and old, with the sun shining, and my heart rate slowly starting to creep up, before suddenly its time to bare right and slog our way up the grassy slopes of Gray Crag!
We reach the top, to be met with unwealding winds and grey clouds! it takes more than a bit of wind to stop Bo, and we soldier on, not too dissimilar to a certain Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.
The route takes us above and past Hayeswater and to the beacon at Thornthwaite Crag, a 15 or so foot tall tower made from stacked stone, which is rather impressive!
From here we head down onto the saddle between Thornthwaite and Stony Cove, and Bo admires how delicious the local sheep look before we stomp our way back up onto the tops to meet our 3rd peak of the day - Stony Cove Pike.
Next up, our last Wainwright of the day is in sight - Hartsop Dodd, a steady downward stroll from Stony, urrounded by beautiful views.
beyond it, in the distance you have views of Ullswater, and the peaks of Place Fell to its right, and the likes of Birks and Birkhouse Moor the left.
Now, there’s only one way but down! To the care and home for dinner!
Once again this trip was photographed on film, Kodak Gold 200 to be exact, metered at 100, and shot on my Leica M4!
If you’re interested in completing this hike yourself, overall this route was just over 6 miles, and took us about 3 hours with a relaxed pace!
the car park could fit 10 or so cars, so if its a weekend you would want to get there fairly early, and just has a donations box, which I believe goes to the local school!