March 2014 - Lake District, Walking the Fells

One thing we have learned here in the UK is the classic British habit of understatement.  However, we apparently have not learned our lesson very well.  One of the traditions in the Lake District is "walking the fells" with a "bit of scrambling" here and there.  (The fells are the low mountains of England.)  Our first day we thought we would do a bit of walking and scrambling….

Oh, a footpath!  How lovely.  These are everywhere, covering the Lake District.  The area is managed by the National Trust, and they do a wonderful job of keeping it rugged yet maintained.

Fueling up on lunch before we hit the trail.  This little pub was at the trailhead of Stickle Ghyll.

A bit rocky but there's a clear trail.  It's just climbing steps, right?

Mountain goat boys.

Looking back down the trail so far.  Not too bad, and a great view!

And …. this is the way up?

One of three river crossings.  Don't fall into the cataract!

We have to climb over THAT?  How is that "walking with a bit of scrambling?"  Full belly climb and crawl, up over the wet grass and rocks.

But worth it!

Mountain lake at the top.  We wandered around trying to find another trail that supposedly went back down the other side.  However, after falling into a bog and losing the trail in the mud, we gave up and turned back in order to get back down before sunset.

Heading back!  And not looking forward to the reverse climb.  At this point I'm hoping that no one slides too fast off the top of the fell and plunges to their death.

Almost back down….

Looks like we will beat sunset!  What a "walk."  I later looked up the Stickle Ghyll trail to discover we made a 1500' climb this day.