(and actually I haven’t updated anything for a while)
Holiday time, spending 2 weeks not in the office. Which is nice. Anyway, so I had plans for a bit of Aircraft Photography at the Bwlch (Wales), however despite it being really nice weather it seems the RAF has deserted LFA7 for this week. Which to be honest is a bit of a pisser, still I’m up for a walk somewhere.
Being a novice at this walking lark I bought the ‘Wainwrights TV Walks’ book, mainly cos I’ve seen the TV show with Julia Bradbury. As I intend to do more walking my camera kit will be much much lighter. After all for landscape I really do not need the 300mm nor the second body. So a 5D, 15mm, 17-40, 24-105, 50mm is all I really need. The rest of the backpack can be dedicated to food and clothes. Though sort of tempted to take the tripod, but that’s probably not required as I doubt I’d get much chance for slow shutters with harsh light at the moment.
So the kit is ready, but where do I go. I’ve got all the regional maps for the lakes, but really don’t want to take on something I can’t handle.
First in the book is Helvellyn, it looks a nice climb, 2,700 feet in 5 miles. Very popular, which might indicate it’s a bit more accessible to fell walking noobs like me. Downside is it looks a pain in the arse to get too from the M6. So that kinda knackers most on the OL5 map (and probably 4 as well). Pity I liked the sound of this one.
The next location: Far Eastern Fells, sound more promising
High Street, mmm again looks too far away. But is it? Probably not. After all when I visit Wast Water that is the other side of the lakes from where I start, so this and Helvellyn are probably easier to get to than Scafell.
Looking at the map, suddenly Helvellyn and High Street are achievable, High Street is closer to Shap which in turn is much close to the M6. So two of the apparent distant walks are quite easy to get to. My usual trip to Scafell, takes me through Ambleside up the Wyrnose and Hardknott Pass. This part of the journey is normally about as long as the previous part from Birmingham. The advantage for Helvellyn is rather than going to Ambleside I can just turn at Windermere. Patterdale is about 5-6 miles away so could probably get there in about half hour! (from Windermere)
Of the two so far High Street looks the shorter walk, approx 3 miles. Also from Hartsop it’s 3 3/4 miles. So heading towards Patterdale now gives me 2 options.
Next location is the Central Fells, again looking at the map they are all within a close proximity to each other. Still this is probably too far westerly for my trip.
Still plenty more of Lakeland to explore, but at the moment I’ll still a couple of possible locations. Now I must remember to buy a flask.
Decision, mmm well if I made one that that would mean changing the title of the post. Stay tuned