Loch Maree Sea Kayak

Easter is the traditional sea kayaking time of year for the family. The vans were loaded and first stop was Kinlochewe and Loch Maree. We stayed in the Kinlochewe caravan club site which was a good place surrounded by Torridonian mountains and tranquility! Neil and Jim stayed in the Kinlochewe Hotel which was great and has fantastic food and a warm welcome. After recovering from the journey it was time to plan the next 6 days. A trip that would combine views, paddling and good company!

Kinlochewe caravan club site

We decided on Loch Maree as a warm up for the trip. The scenery was supposed to be stunning with many islands to explore. The weather was set to get better so we would venture seaward after the initial paddle on Loch Maree.

The Loch itself is about 12 miles long and is a special area of conservation due to the different species of birds, namely the black throated diver. We decided to launch just north of the Loch Maree hotel. It was a great spot to start with a fantastic view down the Loch. We headed North before making our way between the islands.

The islands are littered with Scots pines. We paddled for hours between the islands avoiding the main one in the centre on the request of the rangers. We decided to stop for a cuppa and found a lovely sheltered beach from the ever present wind. Neil had invested in a jet boil so it was time to pitch it against the trusty pocket rocket. As the water had not been measured the competition was not exactly fair! However the pocket rocket came through as the winner!

After a little exploration we decided to launch again and make our way South. The Loch is overlooked by Slioch that sits at 981m. The paddle was easy going and there was plenty to keep your mind occupied. We were heading for the burial island that was signposted on the map. Neil believed that he could pick the island out because of his sixth sense. This provided many hours of discussion afterwards when he was proven right. The sceptics however were not convinced!!

Neil and Jim exploring

Over shadowed by Slioch

Different colour trees on the burial island

It was soon time for another brew stop and a further look at the map. We had been out for a few hours and it was soon time to make our way back across to the car. The wind was still howling so it was going to be an interesting paddle back.

Last brew stop

Once back on shore neil decided to get the slackline out. It provided many hours of fun even though it highlighted serious flaws in dynamic balance for some people!! After a great days paddle it was time to pack up and head back to the hotel/ campsite. The maps were out and it was off to the Summer Isles for the next part of the trip.

Blencathra via Sharp Edge

Blencathra is our favourite mountain in the Lake District for a number of reasons. The first is the view off the top is unbelievable giving you a vista of the solway and Scotland, Derwentwater, Thirlmere as well as the High Street and Helvellyn range. In the summer the sunsetting behind Skiddaw is another reason to love the mountain. We usually walk Blencathra as an after work stress relief as we usually have the mountain to ourselves. On this day we decided to walk from Mousthwaite Comb up to Scales Tarn and scramble Sharp Edge to the top. The walk up Mousthwaite Comb is quite steep until the saddle.

Crossing Scales Beck

The path rounds the Glenderamackin Valley before heading up towards Scales Tarn. A quick break at the tarn to admire the view before making our way up to Sharp Edge. The walk up is very steep but the view is excellent throughout. The ridge itself feels quite exposed at times but with care can be negotiated with little problem.

Scales Tarn in the background

There are many photo opportunities on the ridge although it is important to keep your wits about you at all times! We have a great view of Blencathra from our house so it was time to reverse the view and look over Blotting Raise and the Pennines. It wasn't long before we were at the end of the ridge and ascending the gulley.

The walk to the summit gives you a great view back down to Scales Tarn. The view off the top as mentioned before is totally worth the walk and scramble.

The sun was soon setting and it was time to make our way back down the manufactured path to Mousthwaite Comb. Another enjoyable descent up arguably one of the most exciting and picturesque fells in the Lakes. 

La Tete d Bostan Ski Randonee

We were out on our annual half term ski holiday and there was an opportunity to check out the Tete d Bostan away from the chaos of the slopes! We met up with Carl, Sian, Andy and Catherine for the tour. We drove up the Valle de la Manche until the snow stopped us going any further. The start of the tour was on a forest path and was quite easy going.

The narrowness of the path was making us think that it will be an interesting ski down! The path opened up to a bowl with a few chalets. The skiing started to get steeper and the way out of the bowl was clear to see.

The path wound it's way to the saddle with a view over the Col d Golez. The weather was mixed but made the scenery even more dramatic. We continued up along the ridge until the wind and cloud made it time to turn around.

The skins were soon put away and helmets put on for the ski down. The terrain was mixed with a few steep pitches and obstacles to avoid!

We stopped for lunch on the Col d Golez and enjoyed the ever changing view. It was then time to put the skis back on and head back to the car. The descent was varied and good fun. It was easy to see why this is a popular route with the locals, it was accessible quite safe and fun.

Great Gable Winter Walk

It was a stunning winters day with blue skies, winter sun and snow still glistening on the tops. Great Gable was the destination from the Honister Pass. The valley was still cold with the winter sun still to rise. The path from the Honister slate mine was steep to start but welcomed to warm the body.

We headed to Great Knotts and then onto Brandreth. The view from the top was stunning clear all around. The sun was now warming the group and the excitement in the group was rising once Great Gable came into view. 

Great Gable

Descending Brandreth

We had met up with friends Tina and Craig and the four of us soon made our way towards Green Gable before descending to windy gap and then the final push up Great Gable. The ground was frozen and the sun reflected the best that the view had to offer.

Windy Gap between Green and Great Gable

Tina and Craig

The last part of the walk was a fun little scramble on icy, snowy ground. The view just seemed to get better and better. Considering the stunning day and great conditions there were very few people to share it with on the fell. Once ontop it was time for the team picture before heading north to descend.

The descent was bearing north before bearing east back towards Greengable crag. The descent was steep and on quite difficult ground. The ice and snow only made it more interesting. Taking it easy we descended taking in the view as we went. It was not long before we were looking back up at windy gap. We decided to traverse Brandreth and continue through the Honister slate mine.

Back at the car it was time for a well earned brew at the Honister slate mine which is well worth a visit. A great day in the Lakes and definitely one to remember!