Welcome 2014 in The Lake District
I didn’t believe it when Ken said we were going to climb up the waterfall gushing and tumbling down the very steep, high crag – but we did – TWICE!
On 31st December 2013, starting off in lightish rain, five of us walked and climbed up the path by the side of the wonderful, fast flowing waterfall behind the hostel we were staying at, on the side of Derwentwater. It was fantastic, the mist and rain added to the winter beauty of this lovely part of the world. At times the paths themselves proved to be a mini rivulets with water skimming over stones, mosses and lichen, exaggerating the multi-coloured rocks beneath our feet.
We paused several times on the way up and admired the all-round views. Wet bracken glowed in rust red swathes, draping undulating hills blessed with a myriad shades of green. The tops of some of the lower fells were capped by mists, the tops of the higher ones laced with snow. The air was intoxicating especially when the rain stopped for the afternoon, bringing smiles all round as we emerged from closely fitted hats and hoods.
Lynne atop the Bowder StoneOur 8 mile trek took us through Ashness Wood and over some lovely stone bridges. We walked down a “hanging valley” through Watendlath and towards The Grange. Lynne and Ken made a detour (uphill again) to see the Bowder Stone, catching up with us in time to sample the delights of a café in the village where home baked sticky gingerbread was a delight.
Three of us took a bus back to the hostel. The other two had a pub crawl back ….. both groups seeing the amazing sight of cyclists riding out of the lake!
At midnight we welcomed the New Year in at the hostel with other residents, standing outside to watch pretty fireworks going light up the jet black sky across the lake. We toasted the new year and sang Auld Lang Syne. Dave led some more singing – brave man….. before the rain decided we had been out long enough and sent us back indoors …… the forecast for the next day was dire!
A walk over Cat Bells had been planned for New Years Day itself but the heavy mist sat on top of the hills seemed pretty settled so an alternative walk was agreed. We would ascend the waterfall again (!) and this time carry on upwards, through a mainly wooded path to the top of the crag where we would cross the lower fell to reach Castlerigg Stone Circle. Once there we would text Paul, even send him a photograph of us all up there – signals were erratic so we were unsure we would succeed in but who knows what pagan gods might do to help us ?
The waterfall...againIt was dry when we set off this time and we seemed to reach the top of the waterfall more quickly than the day before. The journey through the woods proved a lot more “exciting” than we had expected. By this time the rain had returned, much stronger than the day before and accompanied by strong winds.
We had to cross quite a few mini streams, some only possible to ford by skilled teamwork (i.e. human chains and support to avoid wet bums or worse). There were also some tricky stiles – Ken’s head proved a useful prop. Difficulties notwithstanding, we remained positive and were still seduced by the beauties to be found. It was impossible for me not to stop sometimes to ogle winter fruiting lichens, running rivulets channelling down the hillside, clustered berries and the stark black tracery of winter trees. Magnificent.
Walla Crag, at 1,234 feet, is mentioned in one of Wainwright’s book of walks. We got to the top via Cat Ghyll. When we reached the top and looked over the Low Fell, trying hard to stand upright in the now very strong winds and lashing rain we all realised a return journey was a wiser option than carrying on across exposed bog and moorland. So, after huddling in an amazingly dry ditch behind a stone wall to have a snack and drinks break, we made our way down again.
Ken and Lynne were brilliant leaders. We couldn’t have done it without them – they even found a short cut back to the hostel. That night we had a lovely meal in one of the pubs they had found on their pub crawl (yes it was them) . A fitting end to a very different kind of New Year start for me – and we saw red squirrels as well! Thanks for organising such a great break Ken – you have had your orders for more, and more, and more, and more ……….
Pam Fleisch, 4th January 2014