~Loughrigg Fell~
24th July 2011
It's like buses, no previous ascent of Loughrigg Fell then two come along in the space of six weeks. However, there were good reasons for this and the full story of a great day out is right here.
Grasmere
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....
Hat Trick Cafe
Reason 1. Any excuse for a breakfast at The Hat Trick Cafe. And don't expect baked beans and greasy food. They don't open until 10:30 on Sundays. It's at Low Newton just off the A590 on the way to Newby Bridge.
Nab Scar overlooking Ambleside
We parked at Miller Bridge car park, emptied our pockets and then had a walk into Ambleside for a look at some shops, before walking through Rothay Park and beginning our ascent of Loughrigg from the other side of Miller Bridge.
Wansfell
We soon gained height on the steep road up the hill to Brow Head Farm, indeed this was the steepest part of the climb up Loughrigg Fell. Wainwright's LF6 doesn't suggest such, but we chose to head for Todd Crag, so as to see Lily Tarn.
Windermere from Todd Crag
What a splendid day!! Reason 2 lies in the fact that it was overcast on my last visit to Loughrigg Fell and I wanted to see both this side of the fell and the real beauty of the place in bright sunshine.
Lily Tarn from Todd Crag
Red Screes is on the left and Wansfell on the right. The twin peaks are Froswick and Ill Bell.
Loughrigg Fell
Shame about the cloud over Bowfell. The way ahead is a bit of a zig-zag, but better for it.
Mrs Ratcliffe
Reason 3, Karen has been very tolerant of my fellwalking exploits. I could have completed my 214 in a different manner with Karen on a Sunday and no one else in tow, but she supported the idea of me doing the longer walk and allowing some of the sponsors to come along. So, I always said we could wait for a fine day and pay another visit to the top of Loughrigg Fell.
Yellowhammer
Ivy Crag
Loughrigg Fell
AW: "A beautiful walk, to be done leisurely..." Quite so, we have all the time in the world. I'm really looking forward to my second visit to the top of Loughrigg Fell on this, such a fine day. I can picture maybe another couple of walkers up there, peace and quiet and fine views all around.
Oh My Giddy Aunt!
The stuff of nightmares, pity any poor soul making it 214 up here today.
The Langdale Pikes
Walking Group
I can't really fault this lot, happy bunch. But out of shot was a family of loiterers, I had to wait for more than 20 minutes for a clear shot of the summit. First one child, then another had to climb up on the trig - who would want to do that? - and each time photos were taken. Then dad leant on the trig and studied his map and so it went on. Tiresome.
Loughrigg Fell Summit
Me on top of Loughrigg Fell
Grasmere
Our route down, is the one I came up on last time. Half way down we came across a young couple and the lass was very upset, almost having a panic attack. They had bought a walk sheet in Grasmere that described the ascent of LF as a "Moderate" walk. She was wearing flip-flops and was struggling, she did not want to go any further. Anyway, Karen put her arm round the lass, we had a chat, offered her a drink and I strongly recommended that they turned round. Moderate to some folk, impossible to others, you need to know your own limits.
Loughrigg Terrace
We followed the well-benched terrace to the higher path above Rydal Water.
No Relation
Rydal Cave
Rydal Water
When I was a youngster, mum and dad often brought us here to play in a dinghy, just exactly at the spot where the same is happening today!
The Walk Back to Ambleside
We had a quick brew at Cote How, just to see what it was like and then made our way back to Ambleside along the quiet road beside the River Rothay. It must have been nice when it was tree-lined, but now just stumps remain.
High Pike and Low Pike
Part of the Fairfield Horseshoe.
The Red Arrows at The Windermere Air Show
Perfect weather for it.
Ambleside
The end of a very fine walk. Apart from the bus analogy, the same seems to apply to fine days. Saturday and Sunday have been great walking days this weekend, don't even think about the weekend before!
Walkers: Karen and me.
Time taken: 4hrs 20 mins over a distance of about 7 miles.
Route: Ambleside, Rothay Park, Miller Bridge, Brow Head Farm, Todd Crag, Ivy Crag, Loughrigg Fell Summit, Loughrigg Terrace, Rydal Water, quiet road, Miller Bridge, Rothay Park, Ambleside.
Weather and conditions: Sunny and Warm.
Greetings Count: Busy place, Loughrigg Fell. There's something to be said for the wind and the rain and dull, overcast days.
Richard's Refreshment Review: Breakfast at the Hat Trick Cafe, Low Newton. My favourite cafe in the Lake District. Get on their mailing list for advance info of their holidays and stuff - you wouldn't want to pick a time when they are closed.
Last Time
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2011 ©
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