Catbells to High Spy with Lynne and Dorothy

Name of walk Catbells to High Spy with Lynne and Dorothy
Date of walk 2014-05-17
Distance walked (miles) 12
Duration of walk 7 hours 0 minutes
Weather Blue skies and sunshine, but windy.
Peaks on walk Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy
Walked with Lynne Horne and Dorothy
Parking Farmer`s field beneath Catbells

On Saturday I drove to Keswick and parked next to Portinscale Suspension Bridge. The whole road was full of camper vans and caravans, luckily I managed to find a space. I was going to be meeting up with Lynne and her friend Dorothy from Kendal, in Portinscale. I work with Lynne at Dowdales where she is the exam secretary. Lynne was staying in Keswick for the weekend and taking part in a bike race on Sunday along with Sam from Design Technology. The walk should help to limber up! She has recently returned from cycling over 500km in Cuba. Today Lynne had planned to climb Catbells, Maiden Moor and High Spy, just a walk in the park for her, Dorothy and I would need to be on good form to be able to keep up!

1

The River Derwent from Portinscale Suspension Bridge.

2

The bridge.

3

Sunshine in Portinscale. I am early so I have a coffee and an almond slice at the Chalet Tearooms while waiting to be picked up by Lynne and Dorothy. There is very little parking these days below Catbells, being all double yellow lines, but a farmer had opened a nearby field so we could park there for £3, a bargain!

4

Some great views today as the air clarity was excellent.

5

The downside of walking up Catbells on a weekend is the sheer numbers of walkers doing the same. Most only do Catbells, so Maiden Moor and High Spy would be quiet.

6

Lynne with Causey Pike behind.

7

The route ahead.

8

The last climb before the summit.

9

We take a short break to admire the views across to Bassenthwaite Lake, Skiddaw and Blencathra.

10

Panorama of the north western fells from Robinson to Grisedale Pike.

11

Then head on up to the summit.

12

A great view!

13

Dorothy does not want her photo taken so she takes ours instead.

14

We don't hang around on the summit as it can be very crowded.

15

We push on for Maiden Moor ahead.

16

View back from the climb up Maiden Moor.

17

We have lunch in a spot out of the wind and then head up to Blea Crag for the views back over Maiden Moor.

18

Lynne and Dorothy head back to the track for High Spy.

19

High Spy summit cairn on the right.

20

It is very windy up here today. Lynne and High Spy summit cairn.

21

Looking over to Dale Head.

22

Dale Head Tarn on the right. We head off left for the track down to the Allerdale Ramble which goes down past Rigghead Quarries.

23

Our route is on the right.

24

One of the caverns.

25

Old mine buildings

26

An old mine level.

27

The route down is very clear.

28

Dorothy on the pitched path.

29

Tracks to nowhere.

30

View back up. We ford Tongue Gill and take the track that leads off left towards the Allerdale Ramble path.

31

It takes us below Castle Crag.

32

The path winds it way down to Grange.

33

We reach the River Derwent.

34

Not far to Grange now. At Grange we stop for a drink at a cafe.

35

Then we head for the lakeside path to take us back to Dorothy's car. Blossom and bluebells as we look back at Castle Crag in the middle.

36

Looking back along the boardwalk.

37

Derwent Water with brave swimmers on the right. We continue on the lakeside path through the woods and past Brandlehow jetty before taking the left path that heads up towards the road and the field, where the car is.

The 11.5 mile walk took us about 7 hours. It is the Keswick Mountain Festival this week and Lynne had a ticket for a talk at the Theatre By The Lake, by British Triathlete and four time World Ironman Champion Chrissie Wellington at 6pm. We only managed to get back to the car just before six, so unfortunately she would be a bit late, but hopefully not by much.

It was a good day, with good company!

Jo.

 

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