The previous post in this blog is Wales Seakayaking.
The next post in this blog is Geneva & Chamonix.

Weekends : Lake District

Matt and I took a half day on Friday and by 2:30 pm we were on our way to Wasdale Head campsite, near Wastwater Lake in the Lake District. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/campsites/lakedistrict/campsites/wasdalehead.htm

Took us 7 hours due to roadworks near Birmingham so only arrived at our campsite at 9:30 pm. We also underestimated how long it would take us to drive over Wrynose and Hardknott Pass. Thank goodness it was still light and did not get lost because at times it felt we were driving in the wrong direction and some of the scenery looked unfamiliar (we had done the same drive 2 years ago).

The gate to the campsite was closed so we decided to drive to nearby Wasdale Head Inn which nestles under the Scafell mountain range. There we discovered another campsite in a field opposite the Inn but with no shower facilities. After enquiring at the Inn where to pitch our tent we discovered that there was in fact a tap and a toilet. By this time I was rather grumpy and desperately trying to keep my hunger pangs at bay as I was hoping we would arrive in time for a pub meal at the Inn, but alas we were too late! We parked our car at the Inn's parking lot and carted our camping equipment over a style and into the field! The sheep in the adjacent field and I pretty much watched Matt doing all the hard work and decided to organise us some cheese and biscuits and appletiser on my newly purchased camping table. At last we sat down to a snack and then got ready for bed as we were feeling rather chilly and exhausted. Another new camping toy which I was eagerly awaiting to test out was a new battery operated blow up mattress, but unfortunately I did not think that the batteries would not be included so we really did sleep rough that night. Oh well I guess that is true camping!

The next morning Matt woke up really early to go in search of batteries and petrol - we had been travelling with the petrol light on for some time the night before but could not find a petrol station. While he was away I enjoyed arranging breakfast on my new camping table - this certainly was making my life easier. After our croissants and orange juice, tea and coffee we packed up camp and drove the short distance to the main campsite where we checked in, only to find that we could have simply opened the gate last night and pitched our tent. Oh well, guess it was good practice for our camping trip to the Lofoten Islands in Norway in a few weeks time.

Armed with compass and map we set off to climb Scafell Pike at about noon. Passed some picturesque streams surrounded by lush green ferns and admired the purple foxgloves which littered the hillside. Took us about 2 hours to get up and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the summit. Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain at 978m and its summit is marked by a huge cairn. I must admit it was a lovely easy going walk after climbing Kilimanjaro last year. We then walked across the mickledore ridge to Sca Fell which is about a kilometre away. Sca Fell is a little lower at 964m and involves climbing Broad Stand. This is a grade 3 scramble (the most difficult) and basically one has to use one climbing move up a steep rock face with a big drop behind you. Matt made it look so easy and was up it in no time. He is not called Matt the Mountain Man for nothing you know! As for ninny Nicky my one leg started to shake as I was a bit weary of the rather sheer drop behind me and was battling to find a sturdy grip to hoist myself up. Eventually after much deliberation we both thought I could get up if Matt grabbed hold of my one arm while I did some fancy footwork to hoist myself up. Carabina I had made it! Rather triumphantly we carried on clambering up rocks towards the summit. And what a breathtaking view it was - well worth all the hard work! We also discovered a new challenge - the Bob Graham round which involves climbing 42 peaks with an ascent of approximately 28,500ft and an approximate distance of 74 miles all in the space of 24 hours. It seemed really popular as we met a number of climbers (middle aged men and women) taking up the challenge.

We made our way down by following sheep tracks and arrived back at camp at 6:00 pm just in time for a couple of ice cold beers at the Inn. The beers were locally produced and were named after the various mountains in the area so were appreciated even more. After showering we got dinner on the go which consisted of asparagus starters, pasta and wine and for dessert baileys liquor. I was very impressed with the lovely and clean ablutions which even had a hairdryer (this was my kind of camping) and there was a lovely stocked shop nearby too. The only problem we encountered were midges which hovered in and around our faces. I had no idea that England had such a problem with bugs therefore had left the bug spray behind. Matt engaged in a furious battle with them. Tactics consisted of swatting, blowing, tying head up in a dishcloth (sawabona eMattias!). At one stage he resorted to holding the gas canister above his head. It was hilarious! I off course shook my locks from side to side every now and again but unfortunately Matt had the last laugh as my forehead took a beating and I woke up covered in itchy spots. Once in the tent though we were left in peace and slept like babies on a beautifully blown up comfortable mattress - aaaah camping heaven.

On Sunday we slept in a bit and then enjoyed some yoghurt and cereal before setting off on our respective runs. Matt did a 2.5 hour trail run up Great Gable and I did a 50 minute run to the end of Wastwater lake and back . Matt was training for a 23 km off road race up Mont blanc and I was training for my 19km race around Chamonix in France which is taking place this Sunday 29 June 2003. By 4:00 pm we had showered, rested, lunched and were back on the road heading back to London.