The Lakeland Skyline Hike is one of those "the destination is the journey" type expeditions. There will be some rugged and lonely ground to cover and, as the name suggests, there will be plenty of ridge walking.
The journey started on the summit of Shap. As we waved goodbye to Dick and Laurence, the heavens opened on what would prove to be the first of many downpours.
We followed the fence that hugged the skyline towards our first 'real' Lakeland summit, Harrop Pike.
The fence continued as only a general guide as we dodged and danced (!) our way around deep bogs.
As we trudged up along the ups and downs, occasionally being attacked by vicious hails storms, I began to ask myself the inevitable question - why am I doing this?
After the precipitation stopped, the clouds part and, like a quasi-religious experience, a beam of light shines down to paint the colour back into the scenery ahead of us. Now I understand: the Lakeland glow, the fresh mountain air, the wonderland views, the sense of walking through different climatic conditions…
The prominent track up and over Mardale Ill Bell soon joined the course of the old Roman Road to the summit of High Street. From here, the undulating ground took us to the steep St. Ravens Edge which drops to the notch of Kirkstone Pass.
The Kirkstone Pass Inn (The Inn with Altitude!) was not our planned overnight stop, but given the way we felt and how unbeatably convenient it was... We made do with a few beers and some good pub grub :)
The day by numbers...
Distance: 22.4km
Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Ups and Downs: 2222m
Maximum Height: 837m
As we trudged up along the ups and downs, occasionally being attacked by vicious hails storms, I began to ask myself the inevitable question - why am I doing this?
After the precipitation stopped, the clouds part and, like a quasi-religious experience, a beam of light shines down to paint the colour back into the scenery ahead of us. Now I understand: the Lakeland glow, the fresh mountain air, the wonderland views, the sense of walking through different climatic conditions…
The prominent track up and over Mardale Ill Bell soon joined the course of the old Roman Road to the summit of High Street. From here, the undulating ground took us to the steep St. Ravens Edge which drops to the notch of Kirkstone Pass.
The Kirkstone Pass Inn (The Inn with Altitude!) was not our planned overnight stop, but given the way we felt and how unbeatably convenient it was... We made do with a few beers and some good pub grub :)
The day by numbers...
Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Ups and Downs: 2222m
Maximum Height: 837m
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