Category Archives: Lake District

Around a Coniston Round – Great Carrs, Grey Friar, Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Brim Fell, Swirl How & Wetherlam – from below the Three Shire Stone

Posted on May 4, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

An eagerly awaited 3 days in the Lakes went superbly to plan last weekend. This has now become an annual joint birthday treat for me & my mate Alan, based in Grasmere, staying at the Oak Bank Hotel with it’s … Continue reading →

In Praise of Hillwalking Companions – Mine’s an Alan!

Posted on April 24, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Walking up hills can be a testing time for any friendship especially when things don’t go to plan. So having the right Hillwalking Companion can be vital to your enjoyment of this fine pastime. I first met my hill buddy … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District, Random Stuff, The Early Walks 1980 - 2000 | Tagged Alan, Hillwalking Companions, Lake District, Wasdale | 14 Comments

Hillwalking in the 1980’s – My First Mountain, Great Gable and Wasdale, no gear and no idea!

Posted on April 17, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Everyone remembers their first mountain, mine was 32 years ago when my mate Alan suggested we drive up to a place called Wasdale in the Lake District. We were staying at my late Grandads bungalow near Blackpool, Alan’s parents were … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District, The Early Walks 1980 - 2000 | Tagged eighties, first hill, first mountain, Great Gable, Lake District, pint, Scafell Pike, Wasdale, Wasdale Head, Wasdale Head Inn | 21 Comments

Snowy Haweswater Skyline Circuit – Selside Pike, Branstree, Harter Fell, Mardale Ill Bell, High Street and Kidsty Pike

Posted on April 11, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Another chance of a Sunday Lakes day brought the usual shite Sunday weather forecast however this time the decision making point at the pub on Saturday night saw a welcome late improvement. This Lakes trip was definitely on, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District | Tagged Branstree, Gatescarth Pass, Harter Fell, Harter Fell route, Haweswater, High Street, Kidsty Pike, Lake District, Mardale Common, Mardale Head, Mardale Head circuit, Mardale Head route, Mardale Ill Bell, Nan Bield Pass, Selside Pike, Social Hiking | 2 Comments

Winter Wainwrights afternoon – Barrow and Outerside plus Ard Crags and Knott Rigg – (inc snow posing tips)

Posted on March 23, 2013 by MART IN THE HILLS

Last Sunday involved an escape to the Lakes for the first time since mid November! Now thats a long time to be Lakeless, 18 weeks in fact or 126 days! This included three failed attempts this year which were cancelled … Continue reading →

Posted in Lake District | Tagged Ard Crags, Ard Crags and Knott Rigg route, Ard Crags route, Barrow, Barrow & Outerside route, Knott Rigg, Knott Rigg route, Lake District, Outerside, Social Hiking | 2 Comments

Classic Scafell Pike Circuit from Seathwaite via a pint at Wasdale Head

Posted on October 10, 2012 by MART IN THE HILLS

Thirty years ago after driving to Wasdale Head I clambered up a hill called Great Gable, it was my first ever mountain. Later it was Yewbarrow then Pillar & Steeple, all done from Wasdale. Eventually I discovered there were other … Continue reading →