Notes from a Day in the Hills

Having only climbed one of the North Western Fells in the Lake District (Cat Bells - same as almost everyone else) I thought it was time to try out a few more. It was a typical day in the Lakes - cloudy, darkening during the morning, mist settling at about 400 metres and chilly wind on the tops; everyone putting on their coats and hats. Then suddenly changing at 2pm with a bit of sunshine and the temperature rising about 5 degrees in as many minutes and everyone de-layering again. Not that I saw too many people for most of the day.

I started with a sharp ascent up Barf (possibly the best named Fell in the Lake District, or maybe the country). It must be one of the steepest climbs going, although it was pleasant enough in the woods. At the top I found an England flag wedged among the stones, so apparently the hill has been claimed for Queen and Country (I'm not sure if whoever placed it realised they were already in England). Despite the cloudy skies the hills were offering their usual array of colours, to which my camera can do little justice.

 

Once the cloud had descended I had to rely on the map to inform me I was bearing left and not right (which is what it felt like) and that I wasn't just going in circles. I ticked off three more Wainwright peaks before descending out of the wind to a section of dislodged stone wall which made a nice enough place for lunch, although I spent much of it speculating for the umpteenth time when these walls were built, how many people it took and how long it took them, and ultimately, why?

     I was on a particularly steep slope, surrounded by thousands of heavy stones. It was a huge effort to make this wall, and the hundreds of others across the district. Now all that the wall separates is a field of ferns from a field of trees, but I suppose it must have been important at the time. I'm just glad I didn't have to lug all the stones around!

 



I finished the day by climbing Whinlatter, which has very few paths to the top, but a maze of routes on the lower slopes, so many that it was quite difficult to find my way off. It was also odd going from a day of seeing no more than a dozen hikers to suddenly being surrounded by all sorts of adventurous and athletic people zip wiring, mountain biking and long distance running. That's the Lake District for you!