Not As Warm As It Looked!

By a quite remarkable coincidence, TF had booked accommodation very close to the Swift Bros' planned start point for a recce of the Kirkstone to Dunmail section of the "Joss". Those involved in the outing, which in fact included neither Kirkstone, nor Dunmail, will recall that "close" refers to distance, not time ~ don't ask!

Rendezvousing in Ambleside soon after 5:30 the intrepid trio, TF, YJ and yours truly, set off up the Kirkstone motor road to attack Red Screes by the main ridge. This is a fine route, well defined for the most part, and sound underfoot. Although breezy, the evening was fine, with a clear blue sky. As we climbed the breeze increased and the temperature decreased until it became quite bitter (a bit of windchill, indeed!). Full sun on top of Red Screes then started to lose it as we descended to Scandale Pass ~ do you know that in Wainwrights "Lakeland Mountain Passes" of the 49 listed, no less than nine of them start with the letter "S"?

Saw the sun again as we passed Dove Crag, Hart, then finally to Fairfield. We had decided earlier that the fast fading light would make any further progress along the route unwise, and at that point we turned down the south ridge and finally lost the sun whilst contouring Heron Pike.

The wind was fairly unrelenting until we lost even more height and it seemed that the effects of the cold increased with the age of the runner. TF had been wary of too long an outing, having had a good run at Buttermere only the day before, but whilst she lagged slightly on the climbs, she soon came skipping past at the first suggestion of a descent.

The day wouldn't have been complete without YJ doing his falling over thing, unfortunately it was an awkward fall, overbending his already complaining knee; hope it recovers well, John, we need you on the 23rd.

We hit tarmac at Rydal and it seemed strange to be running by street lights in fell shoes.

Reverting to traditional roles, TF was sent home to put the kettle on, whilst the Swift Bros smartened themselves up in the car park to take mugs of tea in her rather fine, recently converted cottage. Twenty minutes later YJ and I were bemoaning the lack of a chippy in either Ambleside or Windermere.

Apart from YJ's fall, no chippy and the "bit of windchill" (tough bird that TF), it was a fine outing, thanks folks ~ stats to follow, courtesy of YJ's Garmin.

EtU