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| Me, easily pleased by Snow. |
1) We were camping.
2) It was forecast -2 temperatures.
3) We were camping.
After some searching, I decided on Scotgate camp site in Braithwaite. I've stayed here before and it was the scene of the recent death of my North Face Mountain 25 tent in strong winds (another story). The site is clean and tidy, with an excellent shower & toilet block. This was a key factor in persuading Adele to sleep under a piece of canvas in February. The only negative points about this site is that on both occasions I have camped here, the ground is massively waterlogged. The area around ones tent quickly turns into a mud bath. Not good if you are a stickler for clean gear like me.
The tent on this occasion was my trusty Vango Equinox 350. Roomy and strong if required so fitted the bill perfectly. This is not the warmest tent on the market, but makes up for it with the giant porch in which to take shelter from the elements.
Once the tent was up, it was off to the start of the walk. We were climbing Blencathra today. We drove to Scales and parked the car at the usual layby. The route we were taking would avoid Sharp Edge; I didn't think this was a sensible option in this weather without crampons and ice axe.
We would walk past Mousthwaite Combe and follow the valley to Scales Tarn. As soon as we gained some height, the snow became pretty thick. It had frozen solid in most places but luckily other walkers had created steps for us to follow in.
Once the tent was up, it was off to the start of the walk. We were climbing Blencathra today. We drove to Scales and parked the car at the usual layby. The route we were taking would avoid Sharp Edge; I didn't think this was a sensible option in this weather without crampons and ice axe.
We would walk past Mousthwaite Combe and follow the valley to Scales Tarn. As soon as we gained some height, the snow became pretty thick. It had frozen solid in most places but luckily other walkers had created steps for us to follow in.
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| Ian approaching Mousthwaite Combe |
As can be seen from above, the snow had covered the path at this point so made for some interesting walking.
Once we had reached the height of Mousthwaite Combe, the path turned left and into the valley between Scales Fell and White Horse Bent. The path at this stage was totally laden with snow:
Once we had reached the height of Mousthwaite Combe, the path turned left and into the valley between Scales Fell and White Horse Bent. The path at this stage was totally laden with snow:
It disappeared ominously into the low level cloud.
This path was followed to Scales Beck and eventually up to Scales Tarn for a well deserved lunch break. Our food had totally frozen in our rucksacks as we sat by a frozen Scales Tarn. You can see some nice patterning which had formed due to wind action during the freeze.
As we sat for lunch, a few fool hardy individuals began the walk up to Sharp Edge. They were wearing jeans and trainers. I watched as they edged their way into the cloud towards Foule Crag. Another example of ill equipped and clearly inexperienced people putting their lives and risk and any potential rescuers also.
Once lunch was finished, we began an arduous ascent up towards the summit. The snow was knee deep in places and it was hard work kicking fresh steps.
After much kicking, sweating and white lies about how far we actually had to go, we reached the summit. The visibility was down to about 20 feet so there were no views for us today. Conscious of the time, I didn't want to hang around on the top so we began our descent more or less straight away.
From Halls Fell top, we made our way towards Scales Fell. I was using my Satmap Active 10 which proved to be very useful in the poor visibility. The conditions were approaching whiteout in many places.
I had brought along a trusty plastic bag which I used for some exciting 'bum slides' on the shallower slopes.
We arrived back at the car in good time to head into Keswick and visit Planet Fear. Some good gear in there however some extortionate prices for Arcteryx jackets! As far as I can tell, they are just GoreTex jackets.
Ian had brought along his walkie talkies so it was time to head into a nice pub to test them and for a few pints to warm up.
The Dog & Gun was totally full so we went round the corner to the Lake Road Inn. There was a seat next to the fire and a chance to dry out some of our wet stuff on the grate. We got a few funny looks from people in the bar as I ordered from 10 feet away using a walkie talkie but they had to be put to good use!
We stayed for two pints and headed back to the camp site. It was dark by this point and it had started to drizzle. It was time for a shower to warm up before the main pub session. The toilet block at Scotgate is excellent. Clean, warm and with powerful and very hot showers.
Everyone was ready for something to eat so we walked down the road to the Royal Oak hotel. Again it was very busy and we only just managed to get a table. There were some good Jennings beers on tap including Sneck Lifter, Cocker Hoop and Cumberland Ale. I had neither and opted straight for the Shiraz. After a few glasses of this and full up after a decent meal, I was nearly falling asleep. Adele and I headed back to the tent whilst Ian and Charlotte stayed. Home and in bed by ten o'clock on a Saturday night is what happens when you have a one year old child at home!
As it was very cold, I'd given Adele my down sleeping bag and bivvy bag. I had the cheap sleeping bag and therefore the coldest nights sleep I've ever experienced. Adele slept well........ who says chivalry is dead ?
The next morning I awoke to the sound of Lake District rain on the tent. This always seems to be the way when it is time to pack up a tent.
As we drove back to the South Lakes, the low level snow returned and the roads were treacherous in places.
We managed to get a space in the main Pay & Display in Ambleside (miracle). After a nice full english breakfast at the Apple Pie bakery, we headed back home.
This path was followed to Scales Beck and eventually up to Scales Tarn for a well deserved lunch break. Our food had totally frozen in our rucksacks as we sat by a frozen Scales Tarn. You can see some nice patterning which had formed due to wind action during the freeze.
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| Scales Tarn |
Once lunch was finished, we began an arduous ascent up towards the summit. The snow was knee deep in places and it was hard work kicking fresh steps.
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| Adele looking far from impressed |
From Halls Fell top, we made our way towards Scales Fell. I was using my Satmap Active 10 which proved to be very useful in the poor visibility. The conditions were approaching whiteout in many places.
I had brought along a trusty plastic bag which I used for some exciting 'bum slides' on the shallower slopes.
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| Charlotte, Ian and Adele on Scales Fell |
Ian had brought along his walkie talkies so it was time to head into a nice pub to test them and for a few pints to warm up.
The Dog & Gun was totally full so we went round the corner to the Lake Road Inn. There was a seat next to the fire and a chance to dry out some of our wet stuff on the grate. We got a few funny looks from people in the bar as I ordered from 10 feet away using a walkie talkie but they had to be put to good use!
We stayed for two pints and headed back to the camp site. It was dark by this point and it had started to drizzle. It was time for a shower to warm up before the main pub session. The toilet block at Scotgate is excellent. Clean, warm and with powerful and very hot showers.
Everyone was ready for something to eat so we walked down the road to the Royal Oak hotel. Again it was very busy and we only just managed to get a table. There were some good Jennings beers on tap including Sneck Lifter, Cocker Hoop and Cumberland Ale. I had neither and opted straight for the Shiraz. After a few glasses of this and full up after a decent meal, I was nearly falling asleep. Adele and I headed back to the tent whilst Ian and Charlotte stayed. Home and in bed by ten o'clock on a Saturday night is what happens when you have a one year old child at home!
As it was very cold, I'd given Adele my down sleeping bag and bivvy bag. I had the cheap sleeping bag and therefore the coldest nights sleep I've ever experienced. Adele slept well........ who says chivalry is dead ?
The next morning I awoke to the sound of Lake District rain on the tent. This always seems to be the way when it is time to pack up a tent.
As we drove back to the South Lakes, the low level snow returned and the roads were treacherous in places.
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| Me |
This was a great trip and unfortunately I think it might be the last bit of snow I see this Winter but fingers crossed.
Thanks for reading.
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