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Dec 11

Bowfell 2011

Route distance 13.4 km
Total Ascent 1018 m

It was late Autumn and i was itching to get up to the lakes one more time before winter set in. I rang my mate Dave up and he was up for it too, so we arranged a couple of days there. We’d planned a walk on a Monday in November, a stay over in keswick and tackle another one on Tuesday. Bowfell was the choice on the Monday and Great gable on Tuesday, we would also win the quiz in The Golden Lion on Monday night. Perfect. We set off about half 6 as usual to avoid the traffic chaos around Manchester. About 9 o clock we were parked up in the National trust car park by the Old dungeon Ghyll and it was freezing.

The Old Dungeon Ghyll

From the old Dungeon ghyll it was a gentle stroll towards Stoolend farm.

Me wrapped up with our route up The Band in the background

A beautiful clear sky. A perfect day for walking

Looking back down The Langdale valley

We set off in the freezing cold of the shaded Langdale valley, but as we climbed up the band and into the sunshine it got warmer and the layers started coming off.

Half way up the band and its time to catch some rays…

Dave with his usual pose

 

You can make out the path veering off to the right. This would take us onto the climbers traverse which would lead to the Great Slab

The path to the Great Slab

Climbing the great slab of rock

Looking back at the impressive Great slab

We were both excited now, we couldn’t wait to get to the top as the views were getting better and better. This was our third visit to the lakes and we hadn’t seen much what this amazing place had to offer due to the weather. This was our time and we were going to enjoy it. It didn’t take long to get to the top of Bowfell and we were blown away by what was on offer at the top.

Me at the top 902 meters

Me and Dave loving it at the top

The Scafells

It was great to see the Scafells as we could see the route we took to get from one to the other, something we couldn’t see when we did it a few months earlier.

We were not alone

After having lunch, we set off for Esk pike down through the Ore gap.

Looking back at Bowfell from the Ore gap

The climb up to esk pike was straightforward and the great views kept coming, but for some reason i never took any photos here. Gutted.

Looking back at Esk pike 885 meters

The walking was going to be pretty straightforward from here to the car, onto Esk hause then down to Angle tarn. From there we would go down Rossett gill and meet up with the Cumbria way and a gentle stroll back to the car park.

Angle tarn looking very cold

Dave had to check how cold it was.. Flipping cold apparently………………

Heading down Rossett gill and into the Langdale valley

 

 

Smile for the camera

Looking back at the Great slab while walking down Rossett gill

Despite the long arduous walk down to the valley floor, it was still very enjoyable. Looking back at the Great slab and thinking it still looked impressive even from here.

The shadows forming over the valley

The sun was setting now and you could feel the temperature dropping as the shadows enveloped the valley.

One of the few signs i’ve seen on the hills

As we reached the valley floor and joined the Cumbria way, i saw this sign and thought it would be a good idea if they put more of  these uobtrusive guides on the hills. One day I may write to the National park authorities about it. Then again i may not!

We spotted this creature by the stream. I think its a crane but am probably wrong.

Walking along the valley we had time to think back about what a great day we had walking these fantastic hills. You forget all about your tired legs and how tired you are in general when the end is in sight, and the end was in sight.

Looking back at the band and cloud starting to cover the tops

Middle fell farm

One happy walker

What a great days walking, a great route and glorious weather. Its a great feeling sitting down with a pint, and talking about what you have just done. We’d had a few laughs and been spoilt with the weather and taken in some wonderful scenery. Perfect… Now we had to head to Keswick for the night and win the quiz at The Golden Lion followed by another walk on Tuesday to Great Gable… What a difference a day makes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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