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PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
Emily and Thomas have been wanting to come backpacking for a while so I had planned a route and it was just waiting for the right combination of available time and fine weather which came together this week. We took the train to Ravenglass and set of walking in lovely sunshine.
Ravenglass seafront. We would have liked a play on the beach but our original train from Barrow had been cancelled for some reason so we were setting of for Eskdale at nearly 2 pm
It was very pleasant walking along the wooded path towards the Roman Bath House.
After a bit of a hot slog up Fell lane we arrived at the lovely Muncaster Tarn.
Climbing up to Muncaster Fell. Last one up is a rotten egg and I'm afraid that was me.
Muncaster Fell is another of those "little fells with great views" Click on the panorama to make it bigger.
We came down from the fell to rejoin the path and had a bit of a rest at Ross's Camp (believed to be a dining table for Victorian shooting parties)
Tom finds a lovely spot for a rest
But his rest is interrupted by little sister.
Looking to Harter Fell
With the recent bad weather everywhere was very wet especially this path which was actually a river. The kids walked really well and we arrived at the campsite just before 6.
Thursday was another lovely day.
We set of along the path beside the Esk up the valley. but decided that as we had plenty of time we would divert to Dalegarth station for a second breakfast and a look at the trains.
We retraced our steps and then started up the climb to Stanley Force. This is quite a unique place as the gorge resembles a tropical rain forest in fact the kids reckoned it looked like something out of Jurassic Park. We had to keep a sharp look out for swooping pterodactyls.
The main waterfall.
From the falls we headed back down then up the steep steps to the top of the gorge.
You can't say you weren't warned
Looking over the drop to the main falls.
Just like last time I came this way I thought the contrast as you climb from the enclosed valley to the view of the fells is fantastic to see.
On the track to Devoke Water and little sister strikes again.
Approaching Devoke Water our resting place for the night.
Devoke Water boat house
Looking across to the high fells from our camp.
In the evening we climbed Rowantree How. Our camp can just be seen on the little rocky outcrop.
Having a rest.
We sat admiring the view from Rowantree How and I took a couple of pictures of the cloud swirling around Bowfell and Esk Pike
We dropped back down to the tent for our tea but as I was making the kids a hot chocolate disaster struck as we ran out of gas. We had eaten all the cereal bars etc so with no way of warming the water for porridge we had no breakfast.
Friday was another gorgeous day and we made an early start so as to try and finish walking before the hottest part of the day (and to find some breakfast)
Leaving Devoke Water.
Due to the very sketchy path and my navigational incompetence we headed down a harder and very boggy route which was hard going as the sun was very warm even this early in the morning.
A last look back. The Whin Rigg / Illgill Head ridge on the left then Great Gable then Scafell
Looking down to the coast with the Eskmeals viaduct visible. I had originally planned to follow the Cumbria Coastal Way round the headland back to Ravenglass but instead we took the short cut up to Muncaster castle and in particular it's cafe. Fully replenished we headed back to the station for our train home. Thomas (11) and Emily (9) did really well as the walk was quite tough at times with the heat and in particular the very boggy ground and they didn't even moan (much) when I got us lost!
Last walk - Eagle Crag - Next walk - Pen-y-Ghent