I started from Bassenthwaite over the Skiddaw Range and Blencathra (down via Sharp edge), the next day Low Rigg, High Rigg and the whole central ridge from Bleaberry Fell to High Raise and Thunacar Knott and the Langdale Pikes.  Next day I was crossing Great Langdale to Crinkle Crags and Bowfell, followed by Esk Pike and a pitch on Great End.  Day 4 was dedicated to both the Scafells and Lingmell, after crossing Wasdale I camped on Kirk fell.  The finish of backpacking was a linear walk along the High Stile ridge to Loweswater.  The last day was dedicated to a local walk along Crummock Water to Rannerdale and the bluebells on Rannerdale Knotts.

37 Wainwright summits were visited in this week, making up my overall count to 66.  The weather was dry all the time, with only two cloudy days, which brightened up on the second evening.  Lasting for up to 12 hours, the walks were a bit exhausting, but if you just have to go for a 9 -10 hour sleep in the tent, this is okay.

A wonderful week in the Lakes.

There are many more photographs from this week on my own website - Lakeland Holiday 2008

Day 1:  Skiddaw and Blencathra

The day began like the one before (when I was travelling) had ended: with a cloudless deep blue sky. Roger and Ann Hiley took me to the Ravenstone hotel near Bassenthwaite, where we started a walk up the Ullock Pike ridge. At Carlside, Ann and Roger left me and returned to the car via Dodd. After climbing Skiddaw summit, I descended via Skiddaw Little Man and Lonscale Fell down to the footbridge over Glenderaterra beck. There I met John Patterson who had his lunch nearby with Jayne Hill. Whereas Jayne had to return home, John guided me up Mungrisedale Common and further on to Blencathra summit. There we decided to climb down Sharp Edge. After about 8 hours' nearly continuous walking I arrived at Scales farm.

Day 2:  "Langdale Pikes from St. John's in the Vale" - the central ridge

In the morning, John drove me up to the little church of St. John's in the Vale.  From there we first had a short look to Low Rigg, with a glimpse on Tewit Tarn, then we walked over High Rigg and down to Shoulthwaite Farm.  From there we took the very steep direct ascent on Bleaberry Fell.  There John said goodbye, and this was the start of a long, at times extremely boggy, and a bit exhausting walk over High Seat, High Tove, Blea Tarn, Ullscarf, High Raise, Sergeant Man and Thunacar Knott.  Near a small, peaty tarn between Thunacar knott and Harrison Stickle, I dropped my rucksack and walked the Langdale Pikes just with my walking poles.  I put up my tent near this tarn, on a flat, soft, peaty, though after several days of dry weather not really wet place.  I was rather tired after nearly 12 hours of walking, the night started with shivering of coldness because of low energy and having eaten only very little, but afterwards when I had warmed up I slept very well.

Day 3:  Great Langdale, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Esk Pike and a "Great End"

In the morning, I walked down to Langdale via Pavey Ark and Stickle Tarn.  I got a rich English breakfast at the Stickle Barn, went for some shopping at the campside shop and started my ascent to Crinkle Crags via Stool End Farm and Red Tarn.  Walking all the crinkles (including the "bad step"), I proceeded to Bow Fell and Esk Pike and took a marvellous pitch on the summit of Great End, with a fine view to Scafell Pike summit - a real "great end" to that day, having done 5 Wainwrights.

Day 4: The Scafells, Lingmell, Wasdale and Kirk Fell

After a good long sleep, once more I started early at about 7am, so I only met a few people on Scafell Pike.  On way down to Mickledore and especially on Scafell ascent via Foxes Tarn, I met not a soul.  Then down Lord's Rake and crossing over to Lingmell Col and Lingmell.  A long grassy descent to Wasdale was then followed by a good meal at the bar of the Wasdale Head Inn.  After that, I took the steep direct ascent to Kirk Fell, where I pitched on the plateau near Kirk Fell Tarn, once more with a stunning view to Great Gable and the Scafells.  I fell asleep with the sound of a very slight drizzle on my tent.

Day 5:  The High Stile ridge to Loweswater

After a descent to Beck End, I started my walk on Moses Trod, which I left above Brin Crag, to walk a direct route to Blackbeck Tarn.  Via Innominate Tarn, I ascended the loveliest place of Lakeland: Haystacks.  Having seen this scenery, I now understand why Alfred Wainwright wanted to be buried there.  The way ahead was over Seat and High Crag to High Stile, then further along the ridge to Red Pike, Starling Dodd and Great Borne.  After a steep descent to Floutern Tarn, I re-ascended Hen Combe - to my delight, I met Ann, Jo and John on the summit and was safely guided down to Loweswater.

Day 6:  Rannerdale and Rannerdale Knotts from Loweswater

After all that struggle, I joyfully joined Roger, Ann, Jo and Steven Siddall for a delightful local walk along Crummock Water, through Rannerdale with its masses of Bluebells, and on Rannerdale Knotts.  After a lunch with a view on the summit, we took the steep descent to the Lake and back the same route along the shore.

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