Lake District - Fell Walking

Subject: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST,Chalkie
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 07:35 AM

First of all apologies if this comes up in the music section, I can't see how you can get a thread starting in the non-music section. Perhaps it does it automatically?

Anyway, I'm considering undertaking a weeks walking holiday in the Lakes taking in as many of the peaks and fells over 800m and as many over 700m as I can.

I'm aware of the approximate number that this might be - I have a list of nearly 50 peaks over 800m - and am used to long walks over several fells,peaks and pikes.

I've studdied the OS maps and think I ccould work out a route myself but I wondered if there was anyone out there who know's of a recognised route, which does not rely on the use of transport of any kind, except Shank's pony, and preferably entails overnight stops at a pub, although I'm aware that one or two Youth Hostels may have to be frequented along the way?

Any help would be much appreciated

Cheers

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 07:42 AM

Don't go with out Wainwright.

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Sooz
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 08:10 AM

Lucky you- definitely don't go without Wainwright!

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: BanjoRay
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 08:31 AM

If the overnight pub stops are important, maybe you should ask about the best of these in the Lakes, then plot a route linking them up. Good luck with it - it'll be great.
Ray

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Grab
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 08:39 AM

One day should involve Grasmere to Patterdale via Helvellyn and Striding Edge. I'd recommend starting in Patterdale and going up Striding Edge, rather than going down that way - a little scrambling going up is easy and safe, whereas as little scrambling going down is much more dodgy. If you're a real hard nut, try going up Helvellyn, down Dollywagon Pike to Grizedale Hause, back up the other side to St. Sunday Crag, and then back down to Grasmere. It's possible, but you'll need a good long day to do it in.

A useful thing to know for this section is that Grasmere and Patterdale are on the Coast-to-Coast Packhorse service, so you could get your pack sent on ahead and just take a daysack. That's certainly a safer option for dealing with Striding Edge.

Wainwright is great for planning, but sometimes his maps are dodgy (or just plain out-of-date). Don't go without a full set of 1:50,000 maps. Although there are zillions of shops in the Lakes that sell them, so you could buy them as you go.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: David Ingerson
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 04:52 PM

Have fun, you lucky one, and good luck. It was up on one of them whose name I can't recall that I slipped and fell, landing on my hand, dislocating a finger and breaking a metacarple. The cause? Rain sodden, slippery sheep droppings!

Cheers,

David

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Hrothgar
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:25 PM

It might be a bit rugged. Do you want me to do it for you?

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: greg stephens
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 06:00 PM

If you would like a bit of historical background on folk music and the rise in interest in fell-walking, please try the thread entitled "William Irwin, Lake District fiddler". I hope you find it interesting.

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 06:58 PM

Lucky you.

Good maps, good boots ands good luck with the weather...

BTW, round here, non music stuff goes under 'BS'. It's one of the suggested prefixes when you start a thread.

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 10:43 AM

Or you could add a request for music sessions to take in en route, and then it will count as a music thread.

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST,bbc at work
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 11:20 AM

Chalkie,

Before you name your new thread, click on the down arrowhead next to "Common Prefix." One of your choices is "BS--Nonmusic."

best,

bbc

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 11:21 AM

Try the Bob Graham Round. An interesting challenge for you to try.
There have since been extensions to this short walk in the fells as it was considered to short by some lunatics.

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 11:31 AM

just been to the web site. esily found by typing in Bob Graham.
WOW
What a bunch of nutters.

If you want an easier day out you could do the Welsh 14. it is a bit shorter. Valley to Valley it is only about 30mile and 12000 foot of ascent.

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Spot
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 02:59 PM

David Ingerson...
                I used to live in South Lakes and did a lot of m/c trials riding..I'll not forget the time I slid off on t'fell going, face first and took in a cheekful o' trin'lins!!! Sweetish but not to be fully recommended!! (Halcyon days!!)

                      Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Schantieman
Date: 26 Jan 06 - 04:26 PM

Don't miss the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel in Langdale!

Steve

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 07:47 AM

The Youth Hostel at the top of Ennerdale water is highly recommended and from there you can do Steple, Pillar, Great Gable, and the South Side of Buttermere (Red Pike round to the Honister YH) with relative ease

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST,Chalkie
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 08:04 AM

Thanks for all of your suggestions.

I have done quite a bit of fell walking in the Lakes, Scafell, Scafell Pike (same day), All the Dodds, Helvellyn and Dollywagon (same day), Skiddaw, Great Gable, Old Man and Dow Crag etc, and I've seen the unbelievable number of Peaks and Pikes that people do undertaking the 24 hour Bob Graham. 77 I think the record is! I've even seen a seven day walk that takes in all 214 of the fells listed in all seven of Wainrights books. But I'm not looking to kill myself, just trying to walk all the fells above 800m in a week, thats enough for me.

Just wandered if there may be a recognised route. I'll have fun sorting my own out though if not.

Beautiful part of the world. I'll be up there next month doing the Pillar weather permitting.

Does anyone know of any regular folk nights - singarounds etc - in the Lakes?

Cheers

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Spot
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 08:16 AM

Chalkie
          Try Dickie Doodles in Kendal, The Lamplighter in Windermere, The Unicorn in Ambleside and there's summat on Tues nights, I think, in Keswick somewhere...Sorry I cant be more specific...Enjoy your trip...
               Regards to all....Spot

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: Spot
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 08:18 AM

Also The Hale and Hearty ..Fri nights.. Just south o' Milnthorpe...Very trad, I think..
                  
                        Regards etc   Spot

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: GUEST,John J
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 11:47 AM

What time of year are you doing this?

If you go from late May onwards it's very practical to bivvy out overnight, that way you get maximum hours on the hill.

Re: the Bob Graham Round, it's do-able in 24hours but much more fun if you take 48 hours.

It's well worth taking a serious look at your footwear. A pair of good strong walking boots are fine, but do consider using trail shoes. They're MUCH lighter and if you get something along the lines of Innov-8 you'll find plenty of support....and they stick like **** to a blanket! Walshes are great but lack support, I certainly wouldn't consider doing more than 30 miles in them.

Good luck with your walk!

John

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: concertina ceol
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 01:26 PM

Take a first aid kit and at least one other person with you - Just in case you do fall whilst walking [There should be 4 of you in a party ideally]. And log your route with someone and agree to contact them at a certain time so the alarm can be raised in an emergency.

You seem experienced but you can't be too careful, a friend worked in Mountain Rescue for the RAF for about 8 years and has passed on lots of nightmare stories. I've also had two friends successfully airlifted in the Lakes because they were careful and planned before hand - shame they couldn't keep their eyes open!

Sorry to be a doom merchant and I hope you have a safe and successful tip :-)

Subject: RE: Lake District - Fell Walking
From: concertina ceol
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 03:33 PM

that was trip!