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Lake District (42 posts / 2,051 views)
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #1 25 Aug 2020 21:34
0
Hi, I'm after a bit of a heads up here, i'm off to the Lake District for a few nights early Sept, i'm embarrassed to say i having been up there since the early 90's. I'm hoping to walk up Scafell as i have great memories of walking up Helvellyn and Coniston back then, i'm thinking of driving through Wrynose and Hardknott passes which i also did back then but remember it being quite busy and that was nearly thirty years ago ....question is am i in for a shock with the amount of traffic in the lakes these days?
I spend a fair amount of my time in London traffic and quite frankly i hate it, so i'm hoping the Lakes arent inundated with cars these days (although i am going to be one of them so slightly hypocritical!) Am i going to be disappointed?
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #3 26 Aug 2020 11:40
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In reply to Post #1
Possibly Scafell pike myself in September, i am up there for 5 days

I have gone up there most of my life. To be fair it is quite busy these days in areas such as Bowness and Ambleside compared to what it used to be like but no different to many other places really, there is plenty of space. I guess the Covid situation will limit numbers into pubs and restaurants etc. We have booked our tables already

Where are you planning on stopping?

Fantastic walking though as you know. I have done both of those walks too
mal mal
Posts: 8,986
Post #4 26 Aug 2020 12:28
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In reply to Post #1
Hi Henry

I was up there a couple of weeks back. Windermere was packed. Covid signs in shops etc. but as busy as a usual summer day in terms of cars, parking and people.

If you've never tried it, I can recommend the fish and chip shop across from the Beatrix Potter museum..
braders1978 braders1978
Posts: 18,195
Post #5 26 Aug 2020 12:35
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In reply to Post #4
The Chinese near there used to be spot on too
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #6 26 Aug 2020 18:36
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In reply to Post #4
Cheers Mal and Scozza, i was going to swerve Windermere to be honest as i know it gets very busy, looking for some space and peace and quiet, i'm staying a couple of miles from Glenridding, i stayed there years ago in a nice little hotel with a running stream outside my window, after a few beers and a nice meal and ive never slept so well in all my life
I'm up there from the 6th through to the 10th, give me a shout if you're there around then Chris
PawPrint40plus PawPrint40plus
Posts: 1,325
Post #7 26 Aug 2020 18:50
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In reply to Post #1
I live in Carnforth mate, next junction down from the lakes area, got married in Cockermouth last year and my missus works in a Florists in Windermere.

Its very busy ATM but September should be fine, go midweek if you can, stay away from usual tourist routs. The Langdales can get busy so for Scafell go from the borrowdale side / wasdale side.

Bowness is very touristy now - if you like real lakelannd villages try Hawkeshead, Coniston, Keswick (out of season)

for quieter walks try over the Western lakes.
PawPrint40plus PawPrint40plus
Posts: 1,325
Post #8 26 Aug 2020 18:52
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In reply to Post #6
Glennridding area lovley but Pooley Bridge can be very busy.
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #9 26 Aug 2020 19:13
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In reply to Post #6
Beautiful place Glenridding mate, stayed there a couple of times in the past. Perfect for a Helvelin walk

Similar to me mate, can't ask for more, nice day walking, couple of pints, nice meal, life's good. It will be all that fresh air that makes you sleep pal. Stunning part of the country.

I'm up there from the 7th, the wife, daughter and boyfriend, be perfect if it was just me and the missus

Might see you about mate, small world
mal mal
Posts: 8,986
Post #10 26 Aug 2020 19:15
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In reply to Post #9
Is your wife ok with you bringing your boyfriend too?

Very progressive for you....
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #11 26 Aug 2020 19:19
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In reply to Post #7
Love Coniston. Used to go camping there when I was a kid, Volkie camper, canoe on the roof etc, happy days round there. For around the last 3 years prior to this Covid situation I have gone the first week of March (prior to the fishing kicking off lol) and stayed in the Waterhead hotel, now the Coniston inn, usually walk the old man and have a few pints in the black bull, nice open fire, one of the best pubs in the country imho, micro brewery won loads of awards, nice little Indian restaurant opened now, can't ask for more, lovely short relaxing break and a stunning place
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #12 26 Aug 2020 19:20
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In reply to Post #10
I'm sure she will get used to it Mal

How to spoil a good trip eh, invite the kids

henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #13 26 Aug 2020 19:41
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In reply to Post #8
Thanks for all the info chaps. I have great memories of walking up the Old Man back in the 90's, i was into photography back then and was up before the sun a few times to get early morning shots over the lakes, lovely and peaceful at that time of day waiting for the light
I was going to do the Scafell walk from the Wasdale side, only problem is its an hour and a half drive from Dockray where i'm staying, considering i want to walk up Scafell i probably should have stayed over that side somewhere but i remember Ullswater being a lovely place to be back then, i guess we've become more car oriented now than back then so i suppose its the price you pay to drive somewhere beautiful.....everyone else has the same idea. i'll be seeking out some quieter places so thanks for the replies chaps
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #14 26 Aug 2020 19:48
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In reply to Post #12
i'm hoping for at least one good day to do the Scafell walk Chris, thinking of taking my little kettle so if you see some nutter brewing up halfway up it will be me!
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #15 26 Aug 2020 20:32
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In reply to Post #14


Brilliant mate. You have a fantastic holiday, I am sure you will

Edit, just had a look where you are based Henry. Aira falls in a nice short walk, only a few miles of walking, possibly 2 or 3. Drop down into Patterdale for a pint afterwards, stunning. If you want a more challenging walk, Haweswater onto high street, loop back to the Haweswater hotel, deer on the tops of high street and red squirrels at the hotel. One of my first, done it a few times and one of my most memorable. Lots of options
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #16 26 Aug 2020 22:44
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In reply to Post #15
Thanks Chris, i checked that area out, looks like some great views from High Street, if the weather stays good i may give it a go, if it doesnt i might give some of it a go and spend more time in the pub!
Hope you and yours have a great time up there mate
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #17 27 Aug 2020 06:18
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In reply to Post #16
Catbells is a nice walk mate, ferry ride across ullswater, quite steady too

I will mate, you too
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #18 2 Sep 2020 21:41
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In reply to Post #17
Catbells is on derwen****er by keswick not ullswater mate.
Tinhead Tinhead
Posts: 17,089
Post #19 2 Sep 2020 21:45
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In reply to Post #18
ssshh don't tell Scozza, let him turn up at the wrong place
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #20 2 Sep 2020 21:45
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I have a holiday home in keswick town centre and we are there every couple of weeks. Ambleside and bowness are manic in the holidays and i personally dont like them especially bowness. It will be alot quieter now the schools have gone back so shouldnt be to bad and the roads will be nothing like london.
Glennriding is lovely and miles quieter than ambleside and bowness. Theres another lovely little village just after glennriding called patterdale both at the foot of helvelyn. Aira force is right next to glennriding as well and another must see. We were kayaking around ullswater last wk in some inflatable kayaks ive just bought and had a brilliant time. If your in keswick skiddaw is a good old slog to the top and great views. If you get good weather theres no nicer place in the country than the lakes. Enjoy.
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #21 2 Sep 2020 22:54
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In reply to Post #20
Thanks for that mate, i think Chris knows that, it was just a mistake, i like the look off both Catbells and High st, gentler walks than the main event....Scafell which i intend to approach from Seathwaite via Stockley Bridge but its all dependant on the weather as i want it relatively clear at the top, i dont mind some cloud but i wont go up if its misty, i'm hoping to do a loop around Great End but i'm not great with a compass, ive got a good OS map of the area so i reckon i should be ok, hence why i'd prefer a clear day....fingers crossed
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #22 3 Sep 2020 08:02
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The weather is the only downside to the lakes, its very hit and miss. When I was there in early august it was 30 degrees and like being in spain and then last wk it was 12 degrees and pouring down.
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #23 3 Sep 2020 08:22
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In reply to Post #18
Correct
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #24 3 Sep 2020 08:27
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In reply to Post #20
Plus the champagne ****ers bar they have opened in Bowness

Gone there since a kid and it is growing commercially. Shows the clietel they are trying to attract. Champagne lips and lemonade pockets, well at least one place
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #25 3 Sep 2020 09:11
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In reply to Post #24
Bowness reminds of blackpool, ive never liked it. Ambleside is ok but very busy due to being on windermere and never liked how the main road runs straight through the middle of it. Keswick still has a more traditional lakes feel and not as busy so long may it continue like that. I feel sorry for the locals as they have been priced out of the housing market now as the money is coming from down south now and most houses are being snapped up as holiday homes by the rich so no one can get on the housing market. I was lucky as my mam and dad bought our house in the late 70's when house prices were next to nothing. Unfortunately my mam and dad dont go anymore as my dad has parkinsons and dementia and is in a hospital bed now so its just me that goes with now family now. One day it will be my kids taking there children there so lots of happy memorys still to come 👍🏻
spanker spanker
Posts: 1,446
Post #26 3 Sep 2020 09:57
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I have done a few motorbike trials near the camp site close to the river in the village of Glenridding , stunning scenery
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #27 3 Sep 2020 12:48
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In reply to Post #25
Stuart, sadly it happens all over the country, i worked with a guy back in the 80's who's family came from St Ives in Cornwall, his dad owned a house in the town but there wasnt a hope in hell for him or his brother to buy there unless they came into lots of money, in the winter his brother rented in the centre but come summer he had to move out to the fringes of the town as a lot of the properties turned into holiday lets, i can imagine its a lot worse now, must be terrible to be born in a place like that or the lakes and soon realise you'll never be able to buy your own place there watching all these rich bods from London or wherever using them for a few weeks of the year and renting them out for the rest....market forces i guess, if a place is desirable the price goes up and there will always be someone with the money to pay for it
I'll be avoiding the busy areas like Bowness and Ambleside, i'm going up there for peace and quiet and a little bit of solitude
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #28 3 Sep 2020 13:26
0
In reply to Post #27
If you like a bit of wild swimming go to a place called black moss pot just outside of keswick, its the best day ive ever had in the lakea in the 40 years ive been going there. Its on youtube, just type in black moss pot.
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #29 3 Sep 2020 14:02
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In reply to Post #25
Spot on there mate, similar to me, went with my parents, aunty and uncle etc. I've walked most of it, kids too, hope it continues through the generations, stunning countryside and happy memories
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #30 3 Sep 2020 18:03
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In reply to Post #29
Defo mate 👍🏻
jeffire jeffire
Posts: 4,442
Post #31 3 Sep 2020 21:24
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In reply to Post #27
Get yourself over to the langdales, stunning views not as busy as ambleside etc some good pubs and great walking and campsites.
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #32 4 Sep 2020 20:23
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In reply to Post #31
Thanks for all the feedback chaps, its all about the weather i guess but whatever happens i'll have a great time up there, got plenty of wet weather gear if needed and failing that i'll seek out a few off the beaten track boozers to while away the hours!
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #33 7 Sep 2020 19:03
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In reply to Post #29
Thanks for the heads up regarding Catbells Chris, went up today and it was very wet but still quite spectacular in the mist, could see a good few hills fading into the distance, bit hazardous on the rocky bits and quite easy to slip so I took it carefully. Went up a fell called Gowbarrow yesterday, around 470 mtrs so still quite a decent hike, got lucky with the views spectacular 360 degree views , absolutely stunning
Took a drive down to Seathwaite to have a look but it had gotten worse, supposed to be going up Scafell tomorrow but the weather is forecast for more rain so it's looking like my only chance will be Wednesday
Failing that I'll find a couple of gentler walks
I'd forgotten about the beauty of this place, might have to give it a go if and when my American friends make another visit, post bloody Covid!
They'd absolutely love it here
Hope you're enjoying your break mate
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #34 7 Sep 2020 20:20
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In reply to Post #33
Wow, totally amazing Henry, all the best too, cat bells is a brilliant walk

You enjoy the rest of your Holliday mate, amazing place
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #35 8 Sep 2020 10:48
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In reply to Post #34
I was walking up catbells last december and was near the top and a bloke about 75 ran past me in shorts and a tee shirt. Those fell runners are bloody fit people. I also saw a man walking up skiddaw with a mountain bike over his shoulder when i was coming back down from the top this summer. Madness
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #36 8 Sep 2020 21:00
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In reply to Post #35
Some very fit people about

Scafel Pike today, overcast sadly but a cracking walk

Fell runners about too, mega fitness, have to admire them, the terrain is horrendous. Virtually no gear either, very risky and dangerous pastime tbough that is!
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #37 10 Sep 2020 14:25
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In reply to Post #36
Hi Chris, I went up High St, two days ago, sounds like the same day you were going up Scafell, I knew the weather wasn't going to be good but it was blowing quite hard so I was hoping beyond hope that it would clear but it didn't, I met loads of people coming over from Patterdale doing the coast to coast, I was going to get to the ridge and come back but I thought I may as well keep going to High st and the weather turned nasty at the top but I was halfway so kept on going, couldn't see much let alone the track I didn't see another soul until I got back to the car park at Haweswater, quite treacherous on some of the rocky bits coming down the Matterdale valley, managed to see the smaller tarn which is still quite big but from higher up there was no view of Blea Water which is a shame
Anyway I was determined to get up Scafell Pike which I did yesterday, luckily the clouds were breaking in and out so I managed to get some great photos of the view, some of the scrambling was pretty hairy but then again I think at 62 i have more fear of that sort of stuff than I did 30 years ago! probably a bit too much to do High St and Scafell on consecutive days but it was worth it even with the sort aching limbs and skinned heel, even broke my carbon stick on a small fall😩
Some of those youngsters were just going for it and some people were going over the crags with their dogs!!! Don't think I would have taken my Murphy up over some of them, lot of Border Collie's that are made for that sort of stuff I guess
Sounds like you had a great time anyhow and thanks once again to you and Stuart for the info
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #38 10 Sep 2020 16:05
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In reply to Post #37
Brilliant mate. Two hard walks in two days, that is prety amazing

Love.high street, one of my first, bloody hard walk from Haweswater mate, up and up, seems endless at times so i can see why you considered.turning around Henry! The decent is awkward since they dropped all those stones down the side back towards the car park. Superb effort mate and I can only imagine the pleasure you had from the pain

Scafell. I thought the decent was bad bùt going up was not as bad as I was anticipating. The good news, you got a bit of decent weather mate so hopefully you have some great pictures and memories that back them up

Been to Keswick and kayaking on Windermere since

Sounds like you have had a great time, that's why we do it
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #39 10 Sep 2020 19:40
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In reply to Post #38
Cheers Chris, sounds like you've been pretty busy yourself, it's impossible to not have a great time up there if you put the effort in although there were times when I was questioning what on earth I was doing!😜
It was worth the effort and to be honest you don't need to be doing 900 mtr peaks to savour some magnificent scenery, there's plenty half that height worth a good hike, I didn't realise how tough it would be but the intention was to get up Scafell so High St probably would have been better for another day.
Home now and looking forward to watching the videos on the iPad rather than the phone
Kayaking sounds like great fun but not being a good swimmer I'd probably swerve that one.
Once again mate thanks for all the heads up, time to get the feet up, I'm well and truly cream crackered!
P.S. I keep saying Matterdale when I mean Mardale
stuart666 stuart666
Posts: 4,779
Post #40 10 Sep 2020 20:01
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In reply to Post #37
“Sounds like you had a great time anyhow and thanks once again to you and Stuart for the info”

No probs buddy, sounds like you had a great time, shame about the weather but thats the lakes unfortunately. Hopefully I should be back in keswick in a couple of weeks weather depending 🤞.
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #41 11 Sep 2020 18:35
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In reply to Post #39
Like I said Henry. Hell of an effort mate doing those two in two days, I can understand why you are knackered. It's the determination and grit you need to have, that's what keeps you going, that's the difference, very testing at times

Two great walks in the bag though, so to speak, and more to come

Helvellyn and Patterdale next? Stunning!

Lovely place, spent a lot of time there over the years and never tire of it. Home myself now, stiff as a board so I can imagine how you feel. Might be up there again before the end of the year
henrtopcarper henrtopcarper
Posts: 558
Post #42 11 Sep 2020 19:00
0
In reply to Post #41
Hello mate, i was very stiff this morning but have tried to keep moving about all day and am starting to feel a lot less seized up now, luckily not back to work until next Wednesday
I was just talking to a mate earlier who has been up there before who was supposed to have come up this week but he had to cancel, he's only 50 now but i wasnt aware he walked up Scafell two days on the trot from different ascents a few years ago with his uncle who lived up in the Scottish Highlands so i guess it wasnt a massive effort for him, i wouldnt fancy doing the same peak in a couple of days but then again i did two over 900 mtrs two days running so not far off and you get different views coming from different angles, i feel good for having done it and only wish i was younger and hadnt left it so long since i went up in the 80's and 90's... the other half back then baulked at the sight of a small bump so thats probably why!
I'll probably go up again next spring, might just stick to one high peak and a few not so challenging ones, in the meantime stay safe mate and keep well
scozza
Posts: 18,421
Post #43 11 Sep 2020 19:34
0
In reply to Post #42
Top man Henry. Wednesday should just about do it

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Like I said mate, hell of an effort that

Keep safe and well mate
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