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Ambleside, High Pike, Scandale Pass, High Sweden Bridge, Cumbria.
[ 15.5 km] Wed 29 Dec 2010

NY 3864 0543
The weather forecast said fog almost everywhere for the next couple of days. There had been a considerable thaw at home so I chose what I thought was a route where the paths would be good and not swimming in mud as usually happens after a thaw. It’s been years since I was on the path from Ambleside to High Pike so I thought I’d give it a try. There is no convenient parking in Ambleside so I drove up the Kirkstone Road.


descending Kirkstone Rd into Ambleside

a still snowy Ambleside

There was a lot more snow around than at home and a sign said the road was closed. I continued anyway and reached a point where the road is wide enough to park. It was still dark when I set off at 8am in the mist and drizzle. I descended Kirkstone Road back down to Ambleside and kept an eye open for Nook Lane which leads to Low Sweden Bridge. When I got to where it should be all I could see was a ‘The Green’ sign. I was on the right track but the ‘Nook Lane’ sign is there but not visible from the main road. There was still a lot of snow and ice on the road so I had to fit my ice studs again.

I walked up the lane to Nook End Farm then through the gate to Low Sweden Bridge. The track then headed up the ridge towards Low Pike. Looking back I had a nice view of Loughrigg Fell across the misty valley. There was still a lot of snow around and as the temperature was around +4degC it was wet and bad for walking through. I soon reached the cloud and lost all views. I followed the wall and occasionally swapped sides to try and find the best going underfoot. The snow continued wet and too soft to walk on without sinking.


Loughrigg Fell from Low Sweden Bridge

not much to see on High Pike

After High Pike I came to a cairn marking the branch to Scandale Pass. I took it and headed off into white snow, white cloud and nothing to see. Even with ice studs on I had to careful as the snow slop down to my right dropped steeply into Scandale Head. As I approached High Bakestone cairn the plastic connecting piece to the ice studs on my right boot snapped, rendering it useless. I still had my left one intact, but only just. The descent path was completely obliterated by snow so I used a compass bearing to keep me in the right direction. The descent to Bakestone Moss is quite steep but then it levelled off. There was still no visibility as I headed towards Scandale Tarn which is where I saw the first walkers of the day.

I followed the wall down to Scandale Pass where a large party of walkers were resting. I turned right to follow the main path down by Scandale Beck. There was a lot ice about and it was tricky in places with only one safe boot. The whole area of High Sweden Bridge was sheet ice and took quite a bit of negotiating. I continued down Sweden Bridge Lane then left in to Ellerigg Road. At the end of the lane I crossed a stile into the field then followed the path to a farm track which took me back to Kirkstone Road. Turning left I returned to my car.


above Scandale Beck

After many years of use my ice studs, or mini spikes, fell apart. I'd already bought a spare set some time ago. They are called Grivel Spider and in my opinion work extremely well.