Tuesday 1 September 2015

Scafell Pike and Langdale Hiking weekend

Over the August bank holiday we based ourselves in the Yurts at the end of Great Langdale for a great weekend of Hiking and exploring the Langdale valley.


However, the weekend got off to a pretty wet start as we headed out of the Yurts and up Mickleden towards the summit of Scafell on Saturday.  But we all made it to the summit.

The weather began to clear on the way down and as we made it to the top of Rossett Ghyll, we had some great views back down the valley.

And the weather continued to improve as we had our well earned and celebratory evening BBQ.

Sunday we split into two groups.  One energetic group we led up the Langdale Pikes and a more relaxed easy going group who took a walk down Great Langdale and back around Little Langdale.
Both groups had great weather and a complete contrast to most of Saturday.

The Langdale Pikes group got some great views on the way up beside Stickle Ghyll.

Picked our way carefully across the Ghyll as it exits the tarn at the top.

Then finally onto the summit of Pavey Ark.

Then on to Harrison Stickle and Pike O'Stickle.

With terrific panoramic views across the fells.

After making our way down we joined the other group for well earned tea and cake outside the yurts.

Sunday turned out to be the best day of all as we started our walk from Skelwith Bridge and made our way to Loughrigg Tarn.

and too good a photo opportunity to resist.

We made our way around to Loughrigg Terrace for more great views over Grasmere.

Before heading back over the fell back towards Skelwith Bridge.

A terrific group of people, really lucky with the weather and a great weekend.

Monday 17 August 2015

Ambleside Yoga Hiking Weekend

A weekend of Yoga and Hiking based at Ambleside Hostel. 

Perfectly located on the shore of Lake Windermere we started and finished each day with an hours yoga session, with a hike in between to explore the best scenery in the area.



Saturdays Hike went through Ambleside and then up to Rydal, where we explored the grounds of Rydal Hall and the waterfall. 



Crossing the bridge we then headed round Rydal water.



Then up to the caves and on to Loughrigg Terrace and Grasmere for lunch.


On the return we followed the coffin route, via White Moss back to Rydal.



White Moss proved to be a popular view point with Nick doing some star jumps.



And Jean and Jean, doing some posing.



At Rydal we then followed the river Rothay passed the stepping stones back to the Hostel.



On Sunday we made our way up to Lilly Tarn....


.... and Todd Crag.

With great views down Windermere. 

Then continued up to the summit of Loughrigg Fell.

before finally heading down to loughrigg Tarn and the waterfall at Skelwith Force.

After the yoga we finished the weekend with plenty of tea and Yen's home-made cake beside the lakeshore.

A great weekend with a wonderful group of people.



Monday 10 August 2015

Keswick Photography Hikes Weekend

We were blessed with some lovely weather and stunning views on Saturday for our latest Photography Hiking weekend.


We started out around the lake shore from Keswick, using the Ferry to cut down the amount of walking and maximise photography time. So we got some great shots around Friars crag and the boat landings.

We then caught the first ferry down to Ashness Gate.


Where we ran some instructional sessions around the use of filters.


After this we made our way down to the Lodore Falls for more practice in the use of filters to get those lovely milky views of water.


So a great opportunity to practice some of those new skills.

The afternoon was a gentle stroll along the western shore and a short section of Catbells for those that wanted to stretch their legs.

Sunday was much cloudier and moodier, but we got some great shots around Castlerigg stone circle.

We were lucky to get there before the crowds, so were able to pick our views and spots without other visitors in view.


 Next up was the famous Ashness Bridge.


From upstream and downstream.


Then just a few minutes further up the lane, to surprise view, for some great views over Derwentwater.



Our last sessions of the weekend were then based from the lovely village of Buttermere with more moody views of the lake.

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Tour du Mont Blanc Trekking Holiday

Just back from an amazing Tour of Mont Blanc.  Fantastic weather, a lovely group, great scenery and views and really good food.
 We started in Les Houches and headed over the Col De Voza in sparkling sunshine for our first stop. 
We then made our way through lovely French villages and chalets to Les Contamines for our dinner and comfy bunks.

Day 2 was a long day up to the Col du Bonhomme and Col de la Croix then down into the picuresque valley of Les Chapieux, but again in glorious sunshine.

Day 3 was a short walk up to the Ville De Glaciers for a coffee stop and then a spectacular climb up to the Col de la Seigne.
 The col was our first border crossing from France into Italy so we celebrated with one foot in each country.
 Our overnight stop was at the spectacularly positioned Refugio Elisabetta and we then headed down the valley towards Courmayeur the following morning at the start of Day 4.
 We had some of the best views of the whole trip today as we looked across to the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Range.
 Just after middday we made it to our lunch stop. A lovely old Rifugio set high in the mountains above Courmayeur.
 Day 5 started with a big climb out of Courmayeur towards Mont de la Saxe and the wonderful Rifugio Bonatti.  But with a few stop offs along the way to again admire the magnificent range of mountains in front of us.
 Day 6 we sadly left the Rifugio Bonatti, one of our favourite overnight stops, to make our way up to the Grand Col Ferret and the Swiss border.
 From the top of the col we could look back the entire length of the Val Veni and Val Ferret where we had walked over the past 3 days.
 We then headed into Switzerland for the first time and made our way down to La Fouly and our Refuge for the night.

Day 7 was one of the easiest of the tour and a straight forward hike up the valley to Champex.
 Where they just happened to be holding their summer festival with street vendors selling local foods of all kinds and traditional dancing.
 Day 8 was a day of Alpine pastures with great views down the Rhone Valley and overlooking Martinez, before arriving at the lovely Swiss village of Trient.
 Day 9 we climbed up to the Col de Balme and back into France were we met with our first views of Mont Blanc for several days, which called for a bit of a celebratory photo.
 We then made our way across to the Aiguillette des Posettes for more spectacular views of Mont Blanc.
Our night time stop was the amazing little chalet at Tre-le-Champ which had tons of character, great hosts, wonderful food and a very cosy nights sleep.
 On day 10 we left Auberge La Boerne, to make our way to the Flegere Refuge, with more great views of Mont Blanc as it got closer and then for a welcome dinner of Tartiflette.
 Our final stage and day 11, took us from Flegere up to the Col du Brevent.
 And then around to the restaurant on top of Brevent itself for the best views yet of the cascading glaciers and towering summits of Mont Blanc.
 We had a great lunch admiring the views back to the Glaciers and summits of Mont Blanc.
And then headed back down towards Les Houches, for the end of our Tour.
 A most amazing and unforgettable two weeks.