Keswick Guided Walks

Scafell Pike and Scafell: A tale of two mountains.

Saturday saw us braving the crowds to tackle Lingmell, Scafell and Slight Side in Wasdale. The vast majority of the people (we estimated over 1000 at the head of Wasdale), were focused solely on ascending Scafell Pike. Fortunately, we were able to find much more space to ourselves by heading up the Western spur of Lingmell before joining the main tourist path at Lingmell Coll to ascend to the Scafell Pike plateau, though we then veered off towards Mickledore and Scafell.

The sheer number of people on the main path up Scafell Pike and on its summit was a sight to behold: the top was so busy there was a queue to stand on the highest point (see carousel image), though most folk showed no interest in the surrounding mountains.

Thankfully, our objectives allowed us to bypass all the hubbub as we headed towards Scafell. We ascended by scrambling up Lord’s Rake (to the right of the main image of Scafell from Mickledore) and then onto the summit where we found only one other person – the difference between the country’s highest and second highest mountains was stark indeed. From Scafell we headed to Slight Side before contouring back around Scafell and down to the valley. A strenuous and rewarding day out.

If you’d like to explore the Lake District but would like to avoid following the well-beaten path and crowds, Steve will be very happy to support your adventures. Please get in touch for a chat on steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or 07796 213817

By Steve|March 28th, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

An Eskdale Revelation

A stunning Spring day saw us heading to Eskdale to climb Harter Fell and Green Crag from the foot of Hardknott pass. Steve’s previous ascent of these hills was nearly 30 years ago: on that day the weather was terrible and the abiding memory was of being soaking wet, cold and enduring endless tramping through very boggy ground. What a revelation then to have the opposite experience: blue skies and fantastic views. Harter Fell was particularly good as its high point is atop a rocky tor not dissimilar to that on Helm Crag, Grasmere. The trig point has had to be sited lower down as it was clearly not possible to place it on the actual high point. There is still significant bog between Hard Knott forestry plantation and Green Crag, though some judicious off piste navigation to follow the available higher ground enabled us to avoid virtually all of it.

If you would like support for your mountain adventures in the Lakes or further afield, please get in touch with Steve who’ll be pleased to help you: 07796 213817 and steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|March 7th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

A beautiful day out in Wasdale

Following weeks of stormy, wet and windy weather we finally had a day with crystal clear skies to enjoy the mountains, and what a day it was! We headed for Wasdale and set off from the YHA, ascending by Greathall Gill and then onto Whin Rigg and Illgill Head. Despite the strong and cold wind the views were spectacular all around. We found shelter to have hot drinks and lunch looking down from above Wasdale screes over Wastwater, England’s deepest lake, before retracing our footsteps back to the valley.

If you’d like Steve’s support for your mountain adventures, whatever the weather, please get in touch on 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk He’ll be delighted to hear from you and will do his best to help.

By Steve|February 28th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

A grand day out in the misty Coniston Fells

Thick mist and strong wind greeted us for a walk round the Northern Coniston Fells taking in Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Swirl How and Wetherlam. With a wind chill of -7C we were well wrapped up and had a great day out in adventurous conditions.

We had a poignant moment when we arrived at the memorial for the eight Canadian airforce aircrew who perished on Great Carrs on the night of October 22nd 1944 (image). Flying a Halifax bomber from Topcliffe in Yorkshire they became lost in thick cloud and darkness over the Lake District. Despite RAF Mosquitoes being scrambled to assist, they made the fateful decision to descend to try and locate themselves, only to be trapped by high ground which they could not avoid. The impact carried much of the plane over the mountain edge into Broad Slack, where parts of it still remain, though the image shows some of the undercarriage at the site of the memorial. A sad sight indeed.

Of more current concern were the two people who approached us asking the way to Great Carrs. When Steve offered to show them their position on their map they blithely explained they had no map as they didn’t know how to navigate, and that they only had sat nav which wasn’t working. Despite Steve trying to gently suggest they head down to safety they were intent on pressing on into the mist. Such reliance on technology is now commonplace, though Steve strongly advises that all those venturing into the mountains have a map and compass and know how to use them – he’ll be delighted to help anyone with these critical skills. 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|January 25th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

A great day out from Three Shires Stone

Our first mountain day of the year was an excellent day out starting from Three Shires Stone on Wrynose and taking in Pike o’Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Cold Fell. The Three Shires Stone is made from limestone and was first erected in 1860, though it was actually created in 1816 in Cartmel. It is situated at the meeting point of the old counties of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire and has been broken, knocked over and resurrected on several occasions. The weather on our day from this old boundary marker was cold but clear; the views were good in all directions. The image shows the Scafells from Crinkle Crags.

If you’re interested in guided walks and scrambles in winter or summer conditions Steve will be pleased to help. Get in touch on 07796 213817 or email at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

If you’d like to read more of Steve’s mountain and environmental blog posts have a look at his mountain specific blog here: https://www.keswickguidedwalks.uk/blog/

By Steve|January 21st, 2022|Environment, Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

Hard Knott

Hard Knott tends to evoke thoughts of its vertigo inducing switchback road of 30% steepness and, arguably, the world’s most challenging cycle sportive (The Fred Whitton) which goes over it (and all the other super steep Lakeland passes) in one day. Hard Knott is also though, a solitary Lakeland summit easily reached in 30 minutes from the road. We had a gentle stroll to the summit on a glorious November day and had it all to ourselves. The views in all directions were spectacular, taking in a large part of the southern Lakes and down to Barrow. The image shows the view North to the Scafells.

Residents and modern day tourists are far from the first people to visit this spot: the Romans built a fort (named Mediobogdum) in approximately AD 120 to guard the road from Ravenglass and through Eskdale; it was occupied for 80-90 years. It was originally garrisoned by troops from Dalmatia (Croatia) who must have had something of a shock being stationed so far from home on a bleak mountain hillside in northern England. It is still clearly visible with all its defensive walls and buildings laid out. You can make a day of it by driving the pass, walking to Hard Knott and visiting the fort.

By Steve|November 21st, 2021|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

Keswick Guided Walks

We have set up Keswick Guided Walks as a new website to specifically cater for anyone interested in personalised guided walking and scrambling, summer and winter. We’re also offering natural history and environmental walks to draw on Steve’s expertise in these areas. Navigation training and practice, campcraft, equipment and all other mountain skills are available. Whilst the activities are centred on Keswick, Steve is more than happy to consider specific requests for support further afield. He also offers via ferrata trips in the Italian Dolomites.

If you would like our support and guidance for your mountain adventures please contact Steve at steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk or call 07796 213817. He’ll be pleased to hear from you and will do his best to help.

By Steve|August 22nd, 2020|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off