Family day out in Ambleside
8th April 2007 - Low Pike & High Pike (North of Ambleside)
I decided that it was time to knock off some of the so called smaller fells that I had some how missed out.
I also wanted to involve everyone, so we all set off and ended up in Ambleside by 8.30. It didn't help though
that instead of having the detailed town center map out, I relieded on my memory to get us to the start of walk one for the day.
I wanted to drive up to Nook End Farm, leaving Odette with the car to drive back and park in the town center, instead
we ended up on the next road up.. I knew this really wasn't a biggy. so we just set off towards High Sweden Bridge.
Marked on the map as 'Rough Sides', just before High Sweden Bridge
Here's the bridge.
Jay and Zara thought this was well cool.. and decided to share the coolness with the kids..lol
The youngest two, Kerenza and Charlotte with Zara. Right above Kez's head you can see Little Hart Crag.
From the same place, misery guts had caught us up.. and no I don't mean Jay... High Pike can just be seen in the distance.
We had not taken the right path from the bridge and this meant us cutting across the field a little. Really no big deal though as
there are paths all over the place here leading up onto the ridge.
Our first view of both pikes, Low Pike, High Pike. Notice how the wall builders didn't bother about the
fact that there were rocks in the way.. they just kept on building.
for you not an interesting photo.. but for us.. Look at Jay on the left.. his legs..
We had taken a path from the left of this pic and had walked across an area that had a sign written on it saying, 'Deep BOG'
Unfortunately, dogs can't read ! Jay, being the ass that he is and always needing to be in front.. had ran straight into the bog.
Laughing apart.. it really was quite serious.. he was stuck up to his neck and he knew not to struggle.. he just kept looking at me for help.
In the end I had to lean in and drag him out using his collar..
I didnt even have time to take of a photo of him in there, he was sinking that fast...
there were skeletons all over the place were other animals had not been so lucky!
Kimberley on a REALLY tricky bit...
Looking back down the wall to Ambleside
Finally, Low Pike. Kids were all very happy now.. we had reached a summit.
I'll say here what other have said on their web sites... pick a side of the wall to walk on. Sounds silly but honestly
you can see how we are dressed.. no coats.. well the wind was about 20-35 mph I guess, but the wall shielded us from it totally.
Watch the photo's as we climb and get on top of High Pike.. coats on job.. bitterly cold the other side of the wall..
High Pike Summit! Looking down into the Scandale Valley with the beck running all the way along
back to Ambleside from High Pike
Daddy on High Pike. Above Jays head in the large cairn on High Bakestones
Scandale Pass, to the far right Red Screes, leading down from it Middle Dodd
Looking over High Pikes summit to Little Hart Crag.
Looking over Rydal Beck to Great Rigg and Fairfield. I haven't ever been on Fairfield in good weather,
and although I had a plan for the day.. had I been on my own, I would have sacked all plans off and done the horseshoe.
More shots of our walk back down the ridge to Ambleside.. notice the hats and coats.
I pride myself in being able to have my dogs sit and stay in a spot until I call them. Kimi thinks it's showing off..
I prefer to think it's me in control of two very big dogs...
again, back up Scandale
This is Sweden Crags, and had I not read David Hall's web site we would have some how climbed down with no fuss.
However, he talks about holding onto the branch of the tree you can see and doing a tarzan impression.. something he said he did NOT do..
but felt like it...
You hold on to the part just about the rocks, where the skyline is.. I'm 5'10 and my feet were a good 6 inches off the ground..
did I do the T' impression...
What do you think...
