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Knott Rig, Ard Crags, Causey Pike, Cumbria. Wed 05 Apr 2006 |
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To the west of Keswick is the small village of Braithwaite and to the south of that is a narrow lane leading to the steep pass of Newlands Hause. I drove down the lane in brilliant sunshine to the left turn for Stair. There was a small lay bye where I left the car. I continued along the road, this time walking. The clear blue skies were now starting to vanish behind a band of cloud, but never mind, it didn’t look like rain. At Rigg Beck is a large detached wooden building, painted purple of all colours, looking very dilapidated and also unoccupied. Most of the windows were boarded up. It must have an interesting history and I’d love to know more. Another mile or so further on I came to Keskadale Farm and the point where I would leave the road and take to the fells. I couldn’t see an obvious point or signpost where the path started so I just followed a steep narrow track behind the farm buildings and then a more distinct path up the prominent ridge of Knott Rigg. |
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| The climb was steady and even and didn’t seem to take too long before I emerged on the tops. By now the wind was very blowy and felt quite cold as it was only just above freezing and most of the ground was still frozen. The views were very good as I gained height and Cat Bells and the old quarry workings below stood out. At the top I came to the next ridge of Ard Crags. A very nice walk and even better views where I could look down into the high pass above Rigg Beck and across to the wonderful hanging corrie of Addacomb Hole. | |
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| It was an easy grassy walk down to the pass then a steep climb up the opposite side until I reached the diagonal path that took me to the Causey Pike path. It was still cold and quite windy so I found a sheltered spot just below Scar Crags to have my butties. I had to be careful where I put things as the ground was very steep and anything that I dropped would bounce all the way down the crag and into Rigg Beck far below, that would include me if I slipped. A few people were about and when I reached the summit of Causey Pike I looked down to see hoards on their way up. One large group was a party of young schoolchildren, doing quite well considering how high they’d got. Instead of taking the main diagonal path descent I continued to Rowling End and down the steep descent above Ellas Crag. As I rejoined the main path I saw a couple of the unsung heroes of the fells. The path menders or path fairies as they call themselves. I stopped to chat one and he told me how few there were. It’s not a job I could do and I thanked them for all their hard work. Just below I reached the car. |
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If you want to know more about the
Pathfairies and read some fascinating musings by Wainwrong,
then follow this
link. You will learn one of the main secrets of mountain survival, the half pound slab of Blubberhouses lard cake. However, there is a major concern for the fairies. That lily livered social worker types and underweight environmental studies students may produces the unspeakable , a vegetarian Blubberhouses Lard Cake. |
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