LongWetsleddale as it should be known for today…..
After a months break from any serious walking, I knew I needed to get out.
I woke up early to the surprised sound of my friend Kaz (from Penrith Mountain Rescue Team and the Lake District Search and Rescue Dogs) and Dottie (her search dog) on Radio 4.
I had planned my route the night before, with a plan B in case the weather was foul. And this morning it was. Good old Cumbria weather strikes again – heavy rain and really windy. The trip today was Longsleddale and to visit Tarn Crag and Grey Crag on the eastern site of the valley. I headed off as early as I could as I know that the limited parking at Sadgill fills up quickly. Well, today I needn’t have bothered. There was only one car there. Unfortunately on the way, Pippa decided that something had upset her stomach and this was deposited on her blanket in the back of the car. Oh, the joys of keeping pets.
After swilling the blanket in the river, we headed off up Longlseddale into the wind and rain, then the wind came from the rear, then the east, then in front again. It moved so much that it was difficult to avoid the worst of it.
At the zig zags we headed up along an old fence line before arriving at the top of Tarn Crag to be welcomed by fierce winds, rain and the pillar at the summit.
A little further on we reached the fence and followed this south east to a corner. The ground underfoot was not the best and resulted in lots of deviations, jumps and soggy feet to negotiate the deep wet peat.
At the wall corner and heading due south, Grey Crag was shortly reached. Again no time for stopping (apart from the photo at the top of the page) as it was so wild. A few more bearings and we were heading down the fence back to the track in Longsleddale.
We were both glad to get back, but we enjoyed the peace and quiet, even if Longsleddale was really Wetsleddale for the day.
Blimey it looks wet. Pippa looks like she’s contemplating running away from home in one picture!! π
Yuk – dog sick to start the day! π
Are you two some kind of crazy fools out for punishment or what? A good day’s exercise though I guess, despite the weather… …looks like spring is coming to me! Ever the optimist!
if pippa runs away from home do you think kelda could be persuaded to join her?
i’ll help them pack!!!!!!!!!!!
Pete, it wasn’t sick!
Double “Yuk”, that’s worse! π
Off to longsleddale in a couple of week, looking forward to walking this route, come rain or shine π