The promise of glorious Lakeland weather, with a possibility of late afternoon showers, enticed a full coach of enthusiastic Aycliffe Fell Walkers the hills above Braithwaite, Lorton and Buttermere.
Members alighting from the coach at Braithwaite headed for the hills, whilst those starting from High Lorton sought out the Wheatsheaf Inn, for tea and sumptuous bacon butties, prior to heading for Loweswater Hills.
The way up from Braithwaite past Barrow, Outerside and High Moss to the junction of paths at the foot of Sail caused many walkers to pant for breath in the high morning temperatures, as commanding views opened up above a working quarry. A steep zigzag path lured walkers to Sail summit, and the awesome sight of Crag Hill, proudly standing at 839 metres! The scramble to the summit needed careful attention.
The views were amazing but by the time the slower walkers reached the top the majority had lunched and moved on as one walker arrived from an adventurous route over Grisedale Pike. Two walkers, ascended mighty Grasmoor, the highest hill in the area and afterwards descended the hidden valley of Gasgale Gill, with its many cooling cascades amongst the rocks of the streambed.
For all but the youngest walkers rocky descents proved tough on knee-joints but somewhere below nestled the village of Buttermere – and a welcoming choice of hostelries. No further encouragement needed!
Reunited with other club walkers, many checking their watches and ordering seconds, the group eventually left the pub for a level walk alongside the bank of Crummock Water, but trouble lay ahead! Once the group passed the end of the lake, a decision to cut across a field proved disastrous as walkers slipped deeper and deeper into bog with every stride.
Several panicky minutes later firmer ground was regained and the group laughed about it, as did some onlookers watching the ‘show’ from a safe distance! Thankfully there wasn’t much further to go to the end of the walk at Loweswater village. Boots were sodden and smelly and on returning to the waiting coach, were quickly removed and thrown into the coach storage hold!
The forecast showers were by then looming but only after most walkers had gained the shelter of the Kirkstile Inn. Some excellent ale was served, thirsts were quenched with talk of the hills climbed and weather enjoyed on another excellent club outing. “My favourite part of the Lakes District” said one. “My favourite pub in my favourite part of the Lake District” said another.
The coach departure was time-consuming as it was too big for the narrow roads and tight bends, with oncoming traffic having to reverse to let the coach through. When the coach eventually reached the open road, ale consumption had taken its toll and walkers were very grateful for a comfort stop at a workingmen’s club in Penrith. It was one of the most eventful return journeys home and was followed by a good night’s sleep, with aching legs in the morning for all but the fittest! Visit www.afwc.org.uk for details of further club walks during 2014
