Sunday 21 May 2017

The Lake District, Day 6.

Sunday dawned wet and so we spent the morning being lazy.  The forecast for the afternoon, though, was optimistic so by late morning we were driving down the Langdale Valley and looking for somewhere to park in Elterwater.  We had decided to tackle Loughrigg Fell as the chances of a cloud free summit were quite high.  Our route first took usl alonside Great Langdale Beck to Chapel Style before heading up to the working slate quarry.  There were excellent views of the iconic Langdale Pikes from here which we photographed before climbing up through the woods and old quarries to the open fellside.  The bluebells and ferns were particularly attractive in the woods and we were pleased to hear cuckoo calling across the fells.

We soon climbed up onto the ridge and on up to the summit of the fell.  There were fabulous views here, not just of the Langdales and the valley but over to Fairfield and Helvellyn and nearer in the opposite direction Wetherlam and the Coniston Hills.  Crinkle Crags and Bowfell looked impressive at the end of the valley.  Thomas and I were keen to photograph the Pikes from this classic viewpoint, though, the lighting was not of the best.  This late in the day the sun was too high and too much in the west, it would repay a wild camp and early morning light.  Either that or a predawn start.  A work in progress.

As we wandered back down the ridge we couldn't help noticing the extensive evidence of man's presence and industry on these hills.  As we entered the woods again, though, we could see how quickly man's infrastructure returns to nature as mosses and ferns make some of the old walls almost unrecognisable.

By the time we reached Elterwater it was time to enjoy a pint in the sun outside The Britannia Inn before heading back to the van for our evening meal, sadly our last of this trip.

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