Lake District guided hikes

Castle Crag, Borrowdale.

A beautiful day saw us heading to Borrowdale for a relaxed wander up Castle Crag through the pretty, deciduous woodland with spring flowers and lots of birds busy in the warmth. Rather than approach from Rosthwaite, we went for the adventurous option and took our shoes and socks off to wade across the river near the Bowderstone. Castle Crag is the only fell on the list of Lakeland mountains under 1000ft, though what it lacks in altitude it more than makes up for in stature as its dominant, craggy presence in the ‘Jaws of Borrowdale’ makes it a visible sentinel from far to the North.

Significant slate quarrying and mining took place on Castle Crag and it bears the slate tips and excavation scars associated with that. Most notably, it has the slate ‘cave’ on its North Eastern flank which was inhabited by Millican Dalton (1867-1947) for over 50 years. Dalton, the so-called ‘Professor of Adventure’, gave up his job as an insurance clerk in London to live rough in the Lakes during summers; he survived by offering guiding to visitors and built rafts to paddle and sail down Derwentwater.

The photo shows the view North from the summit with the memorial plaque to the local war dead on the left.

If you’d enjoy Steve’s support for a day in the hills, or a half day like this one, please get in touch to discuss your needs: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

By Steve|April 20th, 2022|Mountain|Comments Off

‘En Caw!’

A bitingly cold wind and overcast skies saw us well wrapped up as we tackled a round of Middle Fell, Seatallan, Haycock and Caw Fell from Wasdale. The often vague and non-existent paths were testament to the fact that this is not a well-trodden area. Caw Fell is generally reckoned to be the most remote hill in the Lakes as it’s at least 6km from the nearest road. Caw is a long, whale backed ridge with a high point arriving much earlier than seems appropriate as you approach from Haycock. For this reason we continued on past the shelter marked on the map to the final cairn – more Caw, or as one quick-witted member of the party exclaimed, ‘En Caw!’

If you’d like Steve’s support with your mountain adventures in the Lakes or further afield please get in touch, he’ll be pleased to hear from you and happy to help: 07796 213817 & steve@stevebanksoutdoors.co.uk

The photo shows the Scafells from Middle Fell.

By Steve|April 4th, 2022|Keswick Guided Walks, Mountain|Comments Off

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 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