Spring Training 2006

Bowfell & Crinkle Crags | 29 Apr 2006

Feeling I was not getting any younger and certainly not any fitter, I decided drastic action was needed with a trip to the Lake District being the recommended cure.

It turned out to be splendid; in fact I've never known whether like it, the sky was blue and the sun, well it was shining! Arriving at Langdale, things didn't get off to such a flying start, with the National Trust campsite being full... well it was a Bank Holiday I suppose, but still! Luckily Chapel Stile was much less busy, which allowed us to pick our spot right in the corner, away from the BBQ burning, flag flying yobs who seemed to spend the weekend in the campsite, never experiencing the beauty of the Fells!

With a shake of the head we then drove back to the NT carpark and parked (in the last space!), before walking down towards the head of the valley. After passing through some farmland, the walk proper begins with a steep ascent up the valley sides towards Red Tarn. This was a real struggle for me; I simply wasn't fit enough - all that revision was taking its toll! Still, once up we were up for the day and what an enjoyable day it was.

The walk across the top of Crinkle Crags is excellent for an afternoon's jaunt, complete with a bit of fun to be had at the infamous 'bad step'! Continuing over to Bowfell was rewarding for the fine views of Scafell with Pike, especially because I'd never seen it from that angle before! (due to the usually inclemant weather)...

After a quick jog up the many false summits of Esk Pike, we headed down past Angle Tarn towards Langdale. Unfortunately, a girl had slipped and hit her head before our arrival and so we departed with a message for the veritable army of Mountain Rescuers that we met on our way down. Once safely back at the Dungeon Ghyll we had an evening feast at the pub and then it was back to the campsite for a well deserved slumber!

Locations Visited: Ambleside

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