The Lake District
12th April 1974 to 15th April 1974 (Easter)
Only one week after cycling to Cornwall were off again - this time to the Lake District to explore on foot and see some of the scenery that we could not see on the bikes. We also had a camera now, having rushed out and bought one as soon as we returned from Cornwall. So, our first bit of backpacking and a camera to bring back some memories and we're off to Victoria Coach Station.
Friday 12th April 1974
A long overnight coach journey brought us to Keswick at 7:15 a.m. - two hours earlier than we had expected. We tried the campsite in Keswick but as that had the 'Site Full' notice up we walked to another site about a mile away. The first site we tried was well organised and had such petty regulations that were not allowed in nine o'clock! Definitely not for us so we walked further along this the road to a farm site and as nobody seemed to be about we pitched the tent and had little sleep till about 10 o'clock. It was a grey day outside but as we had this come mainly to set ourselves up for further holidays this did not matter too much. We found a footpath leading to Keswick and followed it down beside the stream and through fields and a farm to the road into Keswick. There was a fine view of Derwentwater and of Walla Crag to our left and we took our first pictures. We had plenty of time to explore Keswick before going to Fishers to buy our gear. We had brought a fair amount for our spend up and bought boots, socks, breeches, shirts and hats but couldn't get cagoules or overtrousers. Still we have enough to carry back and worry about leaving in the first tent. We had a short rest once more and then set off for a walk to Walla Crag which was only a short distance from the site and not very high. We tried on the boots as it was only a short walk but mine were so painful that I almost ended up crippled. From the top of Walla Cg there was a fine view over Derwentwater and Keswick with Bassenthwaite and Skiddaw in the distance. We hobbled down to the tent to settle in for the night ready for a long walk - me without boots - on the morrow.
Saturday 13th April 1974
We called at Fishers first thing to pick up some more equipment - a Swiss Army knife for Denise, a map case, a compass case and a Tilley stove is. We then set off on our walk on a clear day with bright sunshine. This We were heading for the Catbells - High Spy ridge alongside Derwentwater and headed on for paths to Portinscale and the through a forest to gain sight of Catbells twin peaks this one behind the other. We rested for a while at the foot on soft springy turf and then climbed zigzagging up the hillside. Splendid views of Derwentwater opened up below us through the trees and it was good to be out in the fresh air although we found the climbing tiring. Once we reached the first summit the gradient eased and we strolled along the fine ridge to the summit but did not say there long as there were crowds of people. Instead we pressed on along the ridge to Maiden Moor and then had great difficulty deciding precisely where the summit was. Quite a wind had blown up and we sheltered on the leeward side of the mountain and enjoyed a fine view down into Newlands and the mountains beyond. After this rest we carry on to High Spy, the summit of which was in marked contrast to the rest of the ridge with quite an amount of rock and an almost perfect cairn. It was a hot day and we had run out of water so tried to find some further along the ridge where a tarn and stream appeared on the map. Unfortunately it was dry so we went thirsty and decided now to descend to the valley. We turned left down a path through Rigg Head quarries and this descent this really took it out of us. The path was very steep and went in and out of the slate and rock forming the spoil heaps from the quarries. Every so often a shaft could be seen inviting exploration, but somehow it all looked too dangerous. At length we came to an old green road which led into Grange and followed this, with a beautiful view of Derwentwater before us, until we came to Castle Crag. We were tired and were not really going to climb this but it looked a fine viewpoint and not too high so we started up. The path was entirely up slate like debris from quarrying on the crag and zigzagged steeply up the hillside. The climb was not too bad and we soon arrived at the top to find a memorial set into the cairn but not much of a view due to the trees. We descended quickly and as the evening was drawing on we hurried through Grange and onto the road back to Keswick. But the time we turned off the road through Great Wood the light was fading fast so that the last half mile was completed in the darkness. We were a little worried that we would get lost in the wood but managed to find the right way out and so returned to the tent in darkness at the end of the tiring but rewarding day.
Sunday 14th April 1974
Skiddaw had all the while been standing grandly to the north and we heeded his call. We went into Keswick by the footpath and passed through to join the road and path towards Latrigg. As we came to the open fellside we decided to head straight for the top of Latrigg rather than go round the back and so strode straight up. It was steeper than it had looked and we rested several times before reaching the top. For such a low summit there was superb view stretching many miles over Derwentwater to the central mountains and along the ridge to Hellvellyn where patches of snow still clung. On Latrigg strange dead trees stood in the smooth turf testifying that this had once been a wooded height. Having soaked in the view we turned towards Skiddaw and there was no doubting the path which stretched in a broad highway up to the skyline. We began our toil up in the company of literally hundreds of people and it was difficult to find a place to rest away from the crowds. It was again a hot day so that we needed to rest quite frequently. Once we had reached the skyline the path levelled out and we turned off toward the summit of Skiddaw Little Man as the crowds headed on to Skiddaw itself. Although it was much higher the view did not seem markedly superior to that of Latrigg but we sat awhile before going on. As we reached the plateau of Skiddaw the ground beneath us turned suddenly from grass to black slate like rocks scattered for miles around. The walk to the summit was a straightforward level stroll but in view of the crowds at the cairn we merely turned quickly at the highest point and headed back. We didn't wish to return the same way and therefore descended from the South cairn to the col between Skiddaw and Long Side. There was no path at first but gradually one appeared as we headed down and down among the sliding slate to the col. There was supposed to be a tarn here but this too was dry so we headed back to Keswick taking in on the way the summit of Carl Side. The path was narrow through the dark brown heather and at a quite gentle gradient until we reached White Stones where it dropped quite suddenly we had to tense our aching calves all the way to the valley. The rest of the walk was along the roads through Keswick to return to camp quite tired.
Monday 15th of April 1974
We were up and packed early and followed the now familiar footpath into Keswick for the long coach journey home.