Sunday, September 30, 2007

Great Langdale

Now that the year is turning, the summer over and the nights are drawing in, the temperature is dropping and the camping season for most is over. But not us. Nope, this is the time of year to get out your tent, warm poufy sleeping bag and head for the hills.

We had planned to visit Glenridding and the North Eastern Fells, but there were horrendous traffic jams, delays and bridge repairs on the M6 north on Friday night, so Plan B was Great Langdale and the Langdale Pikes. As it has been a while since we did any 'proper' walks, we decided to keep it simple and follow a route up towards Harrison Stickle, but skirt around underneath to Stickle Tarn without going all the way up.

Sheep enjoying the view.

Pavey Ark overlooking Stickle Tarn.


From the tarn, we headed round to Castle How and down to Chapel Stile - stopping for a welcome sit down and a pint at the Wainwright Inn
before heading back along the valley to the campsite (9,5 miles). The day was a little grey and hazy, but it stayed dry and was quite a lot warmer that I was expecting, partly because there was hardly a breath of wind - something that would have been quite a relief while huffing and puffing up the steep bits!

The pointy one in the middle of the background is Harrison Stickle.

Rather dramatic moon - photographed at bedtime en route to the toilet block.

Daisies this morning at Sizergh Castle - where you can see lovely autumn colour and some very impressive scaffolding & plastic sheeting.


16 comments:

Linda said...

You are kidding about the camping, right??!!! There is no way I would camp in this cold weather, you must be hardy people! Beautiful part of the country.

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
You've made me want to go to the Lake District - just got to persuade hubby - he's an 'abroad' man. Lovely pics.

gilraen said...

The scenery is stunning but only as much as your photographs :)

Piglottie said...

Beautiful photographs! I especially love the one of the moon.

blog-blethers said...

HOW impressed am I that you're off camping still!!! The scenery is fantastic at this time of year with all the glorious autumn hues, isn't it? But I'd still need more convincing than a mega thick sleeping bag ... sees the soft bird currently wrapped around the central heating boiler for additional warmth!

Love the Innocent hats too!

Seahorse said...

Oooh, another fabbo 'outdoorsy' post! Such lovely pics :)

Silvia said...

The most stunning views yet again. Just now it is not to bads for Camping but I would not go myself. you are obviously a lot tougher than most of us. As long as you have fun it doesn't matter now does it?

artyfartykat said...

The photo's are stunning, I love the one over Stickle tarn.
Hope you were snuggly enough!

florencemary said...

Fantastic photos, Helen! We didn't get to Langdale when we were in the Lakes, but we will one day...

I really like the idea of camping out when the weather's getting colder - nice and snug and warm inside the tent, with the wind blowing a gale outside.... I said the 'idea'.

LittleBerry said...

your photography is stunning....

Artis-Anne said...

As usual gorgeous photos. We are thinking of going around the
Lakes in a few weeks time but unlike you we (or at least I ) are to 'nesh' to camp out in this cooler weather hence the van but I agree that I much rather camping in the Autumn /Winter time as it so invigorating

woolydoodles said...

You are very brave camping....it's been soooooo cold....but good on you!
Fab pics
Take care
Love n hugs
Mel x

Fiona Reynolds said...

What wonderful photos!

(Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme did for me and camping. Toilet tents - that's what hell is).

Fiona Reynolds said...

Further to your comment on small feet.

:-)

The socks actually fit a size 5. I know, I've tried them on. The elastic in the yarn makes them stretch... a bit like "Magic Gloves".

And the chunkiness of the yarn meant I only had to do 30 rows on the foot instead of the usual 45 in 4ply.

Kath said...

What great photos as usual - I think I'd have to have a sheepskin sleeping bag and a dozen blankets to dare brave camping at this time of year! But well done you - I'm sure the scenery makes it so worthwhile!

belaybunny said...

Gorgeous photos - I've done that walk!! I love pavey's ark too, jack's rake scramble is fab!!! I too like camping out over winter ;)