Ramblers’ Lakes Weekend 10-12 October 2008

Sixteen of us made it to Buttermere and had the most glorious weekend.

Friday augured badly - severe weather warnings for Cumbria!! I drove up from Chesterfield after work on Friday and met steady rain on the A66 towards Penrith. As it was dark I couldn’t see much but I certainly felt it as I crept along the B5289, a winding country road that goes by the side of Derwent Water and eventually to the Honister Pass and Buttermere. The road was flooded in places and there were big pools of water on either side.

Normally a confident driver, I felt distinctly nervous going over the Honister Pass and kept in second gear the entire way. Nobody could have felt more relieved than me when the Youth Hostel popped into view! Eight of us stayed at Buttermere YH. It was a very warm and comfortable place to stay, so much brighter and cleaner than Youth Hostels of the past. I was even able to enjoy a lager in the lounge as I caught up with the others. Sue Weatherley decided to see what the weather brought on Saturday before finalising our route.

Luckily Saturday was dry and bright so it was decided to stick to Plan A and do four peaks! I’d been warned it would be tough with the Weatherleys and here I was ready to do 3000 feet of ascent - definitely best foot forward!! We set off from the easterly end of Buttermere and made the quite steep climb up to Fleetwith Pike. We dropped down by Honister Quarries and along an old tramway path to Haystacks for lunch, passing Innominate Tarn en route. Many are hoping to rename this tarn Wainwright Tarn after the great man whose ashes are scattered in the area. From Hay Stacks, which is a very popular spot, we kept gently climbing past High Crag and onto High Stile, which at 806m was the highest point of the day. So far, a strenuous but lovely walk with wonderful views. Having just time to catch our breath, we now set our sights on Red Pike, the last, or so I thought, challenge of the day. What I hadn’t reckoned with was the descent! From Red Pike down The Saddle to Bleaberry Tarn is not only steep but there are loose stones and scree. Without Ian’s help I’m sure I’d still be there! I found it really nerve racking. Eventually a stony pathway hove into view and from there on the going got somewhat easier. In Buttermere. Sue booked a pub for our evening meal and after a long but satisfying walk, we all stepped it out to our various digs for hot showers, cups of tea or in my case a quick lie down, before supper at The Fish Inn. We had an excellent evening together. Peter Wild proposed a toast and gave a vote of thanks to Sue and Ian Weatherley for all the hard work and planning they’d done to organise the weekend and it was certainly deserved.

Sunday turned out to be another fine, bright day. We drove to a parking place by Crummock Water. The autumn colouring and reflections in the lake were breathtaking. Absolutely wonderful. Today’s walk was to be less strenuous but still had a very uphill theme. We walked along Squat Beck in Rannerdale and made our way up to Whiteless Pike and then across to Crag Hill for lunch - somewhat cold and grey at this stage. From here we climbed up further to Grassmoor, which at 852m, was the highest point of the weekend. We started descending then and came to a crossroads and decision time. Most of us decided to take the quicker route back down Gasgale Gill. With all the recent rain it was an exciting and bubbling torrent and although the path was narrow and difficult at times it was a delightful walk back. The sky was blue and the sun was shining once more. Four others decided not to “wimp” out and led by Sue took a longer and much more strenuous way back, going up Sand Hill to Hopegill Head and over to Whiteside and then to the cars from there. It was 4 o’clock by the time we got back, which was ideal as most of us were driving home that evening and Ian had a puncture to mend! It really had been a fantastic weekend - excellent walks, comfortable accommodation and top-class company. I must say a big thank you again to Sue and Ian for organising it all. Sue was not well over the weekend and yet kept everything on track. A special thank you to you, Sue. I for one had a wonderful time and am hoping for another weekend next year.

Dot Alderton