Milkingstead Wood onto Rigg

The plan was to go for a wander up from Forge Bridge, Eskdale to explore the rock climbing at Milkingstead wood. I have had a few disorganised days, losing my phone yesterday and then leaving the keys in the car door! Today I left the phone in the car and couldn’t find the climbing guide so, in the spirit of true adventure I was walking blind. I had found the camera but this is now damp, following my excessive canyoning of late and so as soon as it warmed up, the photography was hazy.

I had half remembered the description from the climbing guide which describes a 400m walk alongside the river and turning right at the electricity pole. When I arrived there there were two poles and I selected the second. This is a fantastic place, the remnants of the path still survive but basic tracking skills were needed and the gnarled trees reminded me of a Tolkein landscape.

Breaking out into the sunlight eventually a crag greets you but it is very wet underfoot. This was the venue used for the British Orienteering championships and I was disappointed that in some places the erosion seemed excessive. It wasn’t until later that I realised this had been created by a moderate sized herd of cattle.

Rather than cutting across to the climbing I saw tops over to the left and right and headed west towards the peak of Rigg. Without phone and therefore map I was simply following my nose, finding drier lines and watching the sheep tracks. The public footpath obviously dissected the hillside but this was a place of desolation. I crossed the fell moving eastwards at the classic saddle.

Onto Redbrow bank and as I looked north towards Beckfoot and Bell Stand a deer appeared.

I headed further eastwards, intending to cross the steep dissected valley at Whis Gill and return to the road but some movement caught my eye.

Deep in the marsh below a cow was buried with just his head out of the mire, my priories had changed; I ought to inform the farmer.

I turned westwards, traversed the left bank and then after a short, sharp, rain shower returned to the road. I picked up some litter and then deposited this at the farm (note to self – put a charity bag into my lightweight sack too). Returning via the – closed – Birker Fell road I picked up the car and a lovely pint of Moorhouses at the George IV.

I had missed the crag, it didn’t matter as I shall return soon but also opened my mind to the woods which skirt the valley.

Middle Fell from Nether Wasdale, May Day revelries

Meeting with CPC at the campsite the start was slow but once we started our bimble there was plenty of places to chat about and we spent time looking at the screes, invasive plants and wandered across to the owl release point. We emerged upload from Joss’s gaff and wandered down to the park spot to begin our climb. The climb starts well on grass although a new cut across the corner is developing. Above the junction the path follows the beck up to the tarn but looking up has experienced some collapse on the right hand side. I topped out at the giant boulder, ate my pasty, had a quick dip (scared the remainder of the club would return with cameras to catch me emerging in the buff) and wandered back down to find them holed up eating their bait. Their plan was now to climb Seatallan from the scarp slope, but I had been up there recently – from Glade How – so opted to contour right, through the saddle to Middle fell. This was a quick climb and I was soon dipping down to cross at Mrs Miggins falls. I was tempted to go for another dip at Mc Grady’s pool (pottage plunge pool) but instead headed up hill onto the sheep path and a new route for me. From here I traversed across below Buckbarrow using the Gill farm path to access the campsite. I hadn’t been across the western leg of this and new duckboards have opened up what could have been a wet mire. Great to be up on the fells with the CPC and to meet Alison, Dave and Gillian for the first time. I had a craic and cup of tea with Angela before heading back for the ‘grand opening’. ( sorry if I have got any names wrong, so much to take in!) thanks to Nev for organising and Jan for navigating.

Easter catch up

I know! I’ve been ignoring the blog; sorry, there is good reason though. I’ve spent quite a lot of time developing the new canyoning blog West Cumbria Canyon the content is coming along nicely but I need to spend more time fettling.

Easter was a hoot with Tom and Debbie here and we had a good five days of outdoor action.

This all began with a walk from the rockfish HQ – Tom was one of the founding members – clockwise around to Irton Hall and church. Irton Hall now delivers a decent pint but the poor service inspired me to make my first ever entry to Trip Adviser. The footpath between the two is still poor but clear skies made for fantastic views and good photography, we also saw a deer. Post de-brief was back at the HQ and Len and Veronica looked after us fabulously.

The next two days were spent along the Esk trail, initially on mountain bikes, scoping the condition of the ride and asking in the Woolpack about corralling.

We rode on the south bank from Forge Bridge up to Doctor Bridge but as the valley got higher the snow gradually built up.

The following day the girls ride from Muncaster up to the Woolpack but had to turn around at one place on the Esk trail due to the snow and a fallen tree, they eventually emerged at Trough House bridge.

The following day the boys got their chance and Tom realised his ambition to climb Scafell in fantastic winter conditions.

In the second week the boys returned from skiing and we realised one of Harry’s dreams with his first lead. This was on Goat Crag, an undervalued and small crag but ideal slabs for teaching the basic skills.

Later on that week we met up with Solomon to climb at Diamond and give H some practice at setting up belays.

Most of the remainder of my time has been spent canyoning in Eskdale but this week I have moved north to Wasdale. I climbed at Hollinghead crag on Thursday – unknown rib (solo).

Yesterday the Craven Pothole Club had their camping meet at Nether Wasdale and I met up for a wander from the campsite up to Greendale tarn and the back via Middle Fell. Stepping across Greendale beck at Mrs Miggings fall I remembered what a superb place this is, next trip …

Snowy Seatallan

Finishing early at the end of term I wanted to be high quickly and so phoned Chris, meeting at metal bridge. I hand considered skiing but the snow was a little high and so we planned instead to walk in and out to the summit of our local ‘escarpment’. This is a great little hill at almost 700m. it does has a reputation for being a slog and a bit boring but I think this is unfounded. Most people approach from Greendale Tarn or the col north of it but Harrow Head gives a much better – and higher – start.

We parked close to the wall, for Gill farm, inspected the canyon crossing (more soon on our sister site – Wild West Canyon -) and headed up hill. This is a mountain which is ‘all over in ten minutes’ because the initial climb from the car really is the hardest part and once complete you begin to get the views.

Stick to Gill Beck ignoring the temptation to be draw right. Three less obvious boulders appear, one has a ‘loaf’ attached, another is a trapezium and the third a squashed trapezium, on the way up. Between these as the stream curves right and Glade How top – with Joss’s obvious pointed cairn – pops up you will need to cross the stream. A compass can help if the weather is poor. The Buck stone appears and then the cairn for Cat Bields. This opens the view to the west. From here the walk to the top opens up and skis could have been donned.

We met a couple on our way up, chatted and walked and very soon the 360 degree view opened up. A dose of liquid sunshine liven up the outlo

Suitably lifted we returned via Glade How. Take care leaving the top as it is easy to drop off of the side and you have to conscientiously head for the double spit at Ravenglass. Recross Gill Beck but then once past the top follow the series of sheep trails to Buckbarrow. This top, the Wainwright, has the better view of Wastwater. Glade How is a Birkett.

Return to the road by following the edge westwards back to Gill Beck. Thanks to Chris Little for the photos.

Shredding Haldon Hill

We’ve had a couple of days down south visiting friends and relatives but also revisiting some old trails. This has been unusual for me because not only have I been cycling with my boys but also I decided to hire bikes.

Thursday morning we bowled up early to ride blue with H + J and after some negotiation got three bikes for £27. When I say negotiation I mean that I pointed out to the mechanic that they were offering an early birds deal, which didn’t add up to his total. You head out on a northwards loop crossing the road twice, not inspiring but several new sculptures have appeared which generated some interest. Back across the road the best parts are the hill cut contour which weaves east and the eventual cut back across west. You can’t help but think when this lost height will be regained and it all comes towards the end clambering back up towards the hire centre. H was tired so we called it a day marking J’s card for the following morning.

Feeling like a professional we rose Friday morning with the intention of hitting the same trail but then extending this onto Red. J was reluctant to ‘show a leg’ but once up and with egg and bacon inside we were suitable fuelled. This time both hires cost £20 as they were both adult bikes but they weren’t taking the voucher as well, ho hum. We moved much faster around blue with J achieving good flow and kicking in suitably on the insta rises. We caught site of some deer, climbed quickly and were soon back at the centre supping cappuccino. I put the Red course idea offering him two bail out possibilities and after some Coca Cola he accepted the challenge.

Red heads off from the northern loop as well but contours along steeply sloping land westwards before hitting the firetrack. I had briefed J about riding vertical, looking forwards and not anticipating a fall. There was more interest with rocky gabions, far more swoops and generally closed down single track. After crossing the forest ride you head back right moving eastwards down the edge until you touch on a metalled track twice. Immediately prior to the first cross over the track is quite badly eroded providing a very good challenge and then a careful drop down to the road stile.

On touching the road the second time we decided to sack it as J was tiring and we were close to the base. No loading or cleaning required with hire bikes but with parking I was £50 lighter, that could be quite a lot of beer!

Cracking start to half term – snow, ice, wood and single track

After a weekend on the snowy tops we headed for Keswick and to the climbing wall. There had been a big fall overnight and the views were stupendous. Sadly the quality of the photography less so. The iPhone was not so good and I was less than pleased with the results.

We had a good session with Harry soloing, trying out the Piraña, and H practiced his clipping. I explored the ice climbing – on wood – a strange combination of face mask, axes and stiff boots (but no crampons). The drive back was as beautiful and we nipped into the Kirkstile to celebrate with Jen and Ben.

Today after some time in school I needed some exercise and fancied a bicycle ride. I had been down the coast recently so for a change headed north, this of course is off road. Riding out up Scalebarrow and up through Sandwith I realised how much I missed my Mountain Bike. At the road head there are three choices, short medium or long. I opted for the latter which leads from the mast north around Tarnflatt Hall on footpaths. This is an amazing route, mind focusing and in places you are feet from the sheer away to the sea below.

I met up with the farmer, first time in 14 yrs and he was a little unsure about cycling on his land but with due conversation he realised I was local, was not harming his stock or fences and wished me well – what a healthy attitude.

After Fleswick Bay the best section by far is the single track climbing up to the old coastguard section. I have ridden some superb sections including darting tracks through woodland and large swooping rides across the chalk do the south but this section is one of the most technically exhilarating rides with most fantastic views and the final banked section extends you right up to grade 5. I wasn’t thinking of much else as I dropped back down into the village, over the moraine and back up to Main Street.

Bringing the snow into focus

My (flexible) plan yesterday was to head to the ‘dark side of the moon’ namely Foxes Tarn, in search of ice. I has bought some B1 compromise boots at Christmas and wanted to ensure that my G10 crampons would stay on nicely when stood on the front points. I say compromise because they are a little too flexible for pure ice climbing and maybe too stiff for all year round use but have a reasonable rand, great stiffness and leather construction. Anyway I am very pleased with them and of course have a wide choice of other boots (including a highly polished black pair I can sneak into work in the snow!). I had chatted to a pair of friends over the road who suggested that the path from Foxes to ‘the big hill’ was in nick.

So the initial plan formulated was to climb Lord’s rake, traverse West Wall traverse and then descend to Foxes returning maybe via Mickledore or even little Narrowcove. I decided to reverse this so I approached Foxes in ascent and so duly bowled up at Brotherikeld. Deborah and dad wandered by and then Chris, Debs and Jennny headed up with skinnies on. Soon I was into my normal routine of passing a couple of groups and then finding someone interesting to talk to. (note to self; I must ascend the Lingmell Beck left branch to Hollowstones at some point as Al Phizacklea suggests, for a good look).

Three suitably clad mountaineers head for Mickledore screes

The path divide to Hollowstones was indistinct, due to the snow and therefore there were a surprising number of people around the Woolworth boulder. Having wee’d and identified I needed more liquids I stopped by a group of four and drank and zipped up. I had my eye at this point towards a snowy gully between Pikes and Mickledore buttress which Ian had been up a couple of weeks before but not the descent from Pulpit (which I had come down with Nick and was boulder strewn)
The gully, right of centre, I was heading towards, the couple were beside the two boulders at the break of slope – keen to know if has another name other than ‘Mickledore Crag’ gully?

I also had been watching an amorous pair over to my left working slowly up across ‘no mans land’ below the corridor route extension, I expected them to pop up on the Mickledore path. Chatting to the larger group one guy clearly knew what he was doing but was without axe or winter boots, the remainder had what can only be described as marginal kit. They were nice enough and keen to listen to my wanton ramblings and asked about the route onto the col. I suggested tentatively that a traverse around the corridor route extension might be better and then via Pikes, especially as one appeared to have socks on his hands for gloves.

Kitting up with helmet, crampons and twin axes I also have been experimenting with elasticated leashes. These are brilliant because I don’t have to worry about dropping kit but they also enable me to change over quickly from pole and axe to twin axes. I moved over onto twin short (but easy angled) axes for the plunge up Mickledore screes. Over the top? maybe, but I am still trying to get a true feel of these new boots. As I ascended Mickledore screes I caught sight of the couple about to begin the ascent of Mickledore Buttress gully. Looking from afar the lower member was clearly unhappy, working on her bum and I guessed both were unaware of the steepening head wall above.

I initially tried to strike up a conversation but they were unaware you can often simply talk moderate distances in the snow and weren’t sure where the sound was coming from. Eventually he announced that he was fine because he had been up Mickledore before and knew where he was. Clearly he was two gullies too far left. I decided to traverse across to get into a better position to chat and the lass was lacking in confidence on her pins. Both has flexible nylon boots with non-vibram type soles. The guy was quite keen to continue upwards but given the choice the girl, V opted for some help.

I changed onto a pole, removing my snow basket so I could plunge it more easily and issued each a short axe giving them the basics for an arrest. I then cut steps down to the top of the scree run out slope before crossing below to the protection of a frozen turf bank. This provided an excellent handrail back across to the main ascent path for Mickledore at about four fifths height. The problem now was whether they wanted to descend with poor heel grip or carry on up the gully into the rock section and onto the Pike, returning via Pikes top.

Ironically, I had helped out a similar couple, right of Long Gully back in November. P + V opted to carry on up and so we bunched up close, P kicked steps and V used these. Once on the rock they felt enclosed and therefore more secure but we had to cut ice away from a footstep at one point. We topped out, chatted about the experience and P admitted that his compass no longer pointed north. After some fettling we decided that his 3GS was giving a good compass reading and so tied with the possibility that there would be plenty of other punters on the Pike they headed up independently. I offered to guide them that bit further but I was also keen that they make their own decisions, by now it was about 2.

Good snow, just short of Lord’s Rake

The saddle was in fantastic nick, mist lay about Broad Stand but the ridge was hard and exposed. I decided to head for Rakes Progress but part way along two ice climbers were struggling towards me and blocking the way. It shot through my mind that if I had had anyone else with me I would probably have put a rope on, Alpine style and so being solo I decided to reverse and traverse across the bottom of the crag. I’m not sure if this has a name but it enabled me to take a few shots and it was heartening to see other groups fitting up with crampons and walking axes before climbing the Mckledore screes. I bumped into two younger lads who had just finished climbing Botterill’s slab just as it had began melting. It was a shame that the mist was sat along Rakes as it would have been great to have have watched them. I dropped to further investigate a rucksack which had been reported abandoned before deciding the climbers were still on an ice route – four pairs were on the crag, and I had met two but noise was still above. On the way down an inversion beamed from below and the two ice climbers framed the shot providing scale but sadly the camera provided no real substitute for the human eye.

The inversion

Again, an interesting day out. I often feel that I put my crampons on too early and I am the last to take them off but in this case I was far more secure than many of the visitors. My crampons are a very good fit to my new Scarpa SL Activ boots and I am pleased with my new purchase.