Lat/Long: 54.500461,
-03.181727
OS Grid ref: NY 23568 12325
I left home shortly after 06:30am to drive north to Cumbria. The
plan is to camp near Lambfoot Dub above Borrowdale to see in the
New Year. I was a little later than usual and I noticed the
difference as I approached Tebay and the wind sock to the left
of the motorway. At this time of year it’s too dark to see but I
could just see it hanging vertically as I drove past. As I drove
towards Keswick the weather was cleared and by the time I
reached the start of my walk at Seathwaite the sun was shining
on the summits. It was 08:35am when I arrived and I was
surprised to see all the parking spaces along the lane were
taken. The good weather forecast must have brought all the
walkers out. As I'm parking overnight I'd already decided to
park in the farmer's field for the extortionate charge of £8.
There was just one van there and a single tent at the far end of
the field. I parked by the wall and got my gear ready. |
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The temperature was around freezing so I made sure my boot ice
studs were at the top of my pack if needed. I put £8 in the pay
box and set off around 9:30am. Although it was a clear blue sky
with sun on the high ground it was still shade in the valley and
would probably stay that way all day. There were lots of walker
on the trail as I walked between the Seathwaite buildings and up
the stony track to Stockley Bridge. I stopped by the bridge for
a few moments to take a photo. |
My pack at Stockley Bridge. |
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Two young men passed and asked if they could get to Great Gable
this way. I told them to continue to the Styhead Pass stretcher
box and turn right. I continued up the steep stepped track to
the start of the valley and the flatter section. At the wooded
footbridge I crossed and found a rock away from the track and
sit to eat my butties. Looking along the path I counted 20people
on the way up. I continued up to the Stretcher Box and turned
left to head across frozen ground towards the turn off to the
Corridor Route. I was still in shade but still had blue sky
above. The first part of the Corridor Route is a descent across
some rock slabs then a steady climb with the occasional steep
bit. |
Heading up the corridor route. |
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The path was being well used by people heading for Scafell Pike.
I continued to the point where I needed to turn off to the left
and the steep grassy climb towards Lambfoot Dub (the small
tarn). The calm conditions on the climb had now turned quite
windy so I pitched the tent at the spot where I first pitched
here many years ago where there was a bit of shelter from the
wind. |
Some goodies that Santa left. |
Great Gable in the distance. |
Looking down into Wasdale. |
Santa also left some cake. |
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Great Gable was bathed in Winter sunshine but there was none at
the camp. There were many people on the summit and also the path
from Styhead Pass. Later in the evening the cloud rolled in and
the wind increased. At midnight there was nothing to see as the
calendar rolled over to a New Year. |
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