My turn to drive today so Peter arrived at my house for about 6 am and then we went for Steve. We were off to do 2 tops very close to the 2 we did last time out, Great Calva and Knott. We arrived at Mosedale just before 8 am but we parked up the road near the old mine workings at Swineside. Once again Angus the Butcher from Seaham provided our breakfast, steak pie, excellent start to the day.
Start of the walk
Taking shelter
There was a chilly wind blowing and it was a little misty when we set off towards Great Calva. The first part of the walk was on the flat for about 40 minutes or so until we crossed the stream and then began the long climb to the first top. It was a very straight climb today after the first 40 or 50 yards.
Great Calva summit
At the top of the climb we turned right and arrived at the summit just after 10.00 am. We found a little wind break to have a cup of tea. Then we headed off for Knott. The temperature seemed to have dropped when we left the wind break and it was still misty. We headed in the general direction of Knott and started to drop down a little. A quick check of the map confirmed that we were going in the right direction and as we dropped in height it became a little clearer.
Knott summit
Pretty soon we started to climb again and it was another straight pull up the hill. We arrived at the summit of Knott just after midday, 2 down again by lunchtime! Just time for a couple of photos.
Summit of Knott
Not much of a view from the summit
The descent
When we left the summit of Knott we started to drop and fairly soon we could see Lingy Hut in the distance which is where we had our lunch last time out. As we got closer we could see it was occupied and also it was a short climb to get to it so we decided to keep descending and found some rocks to have another sit down, another cuppa and time for another photo.
Carrock Fell from our bait stop
This one is looking back at Carrock Fell from our bait stop. Once again a steady drop down to the old mine workings (not too much problem for my knee again) and the car was just after the mine. Off to the pub for a couple of beers and it looks like the next walk is going to be the week before Easter 4th or 5th April.
Steve picked me up at 5.45 to start our previously postponed Christmas walk. We drove over to pick up Peter and then started the journey to the Lakes. As the last walk was in November and on that walk my knees were in bad shape I was a little apprehensive. We got to Mosedale just before 8.00 am, Peter had brought a steak pie from Angus the butcher in Seaham which was a great start to the day.
Early morning Mosedale
Start of the walk
Start of the walk
We walked towards Swineside and almost immediately started climbing, whilst the climb was not over strenuous coming so early in the day it was still hard work. The first part of the climb was mainly negotiating lots and lots of boulders and gorse bushes. However once we got to the top of the shoulder the walk became much easier. At this stage we could not see the summit but the climb was much steadier now.
The wind was starting to pick up and it was quite cold.
Very soon we came across some old ruins which we decided to shelter behind the walls to have a cuppa. From here we could see the summit.
Carrock Fell summit
Summit up ahead
We had our drink and a frankfurter courtesy of Steve and then headed off for the summit. I put an extra layer on as the wind was quite biting now. We got to the summit and almost immediately headed for High Pike as it was too cold to stand around. As we dropped below the summit slightly the wind also dropped.
High Pike summit
The walk to High Pike was about 2 miles but the summit was always in view. There was a sprinkling of snow in a few places as we crossed the fell. About 40 minutes later we arrived at the summit of High Pike, 2 down by lunchtime and more importantly 2 down by the end of January, ahead of my target of 1 per month.
We stopped to take a few pictures at the top of High Pike as there were good views from there.
High Pike summit
Looking back towards Carrock Fell from High Pike
Satisfied with two tops knocked off we headed for
Lingy Hut for our belated Christmas lunch. About half an hour later we arrived at Lingy Hut and it was empty.
Lingy Hut
Lingy Hut, time for Christmas Lunch
Christmas lunch was Chicken breasts courtesy of Steve, Wine courtesy of Peter and Mince pies and custard from me. Peter also brought the XMAS crackers. After our fill of Christmas fayre we headed back down to the car. On leaving the hut I got a twinge in my left knee even though the descent was quite gentle. However it was nowhere near as bad as St Sunday Crag. It was a steady drop down to the valley to some disused mine workings and then along the road back to Swineside and the car.
Next walk already planned for 22nd February, after such a good walk today I can’t wait!
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