With gale force winds, snow and rain showers forecast for Saturday, we started late and got to Keswick at 12.15. The wind was supposed to be less strong in the afternoon and the rain and snow showers had stopped when we got off the bus. We noticed Booths supermarket had sand bags along the building. There had been flood warnings for Keswick Campsite on Derwent Water. Booths were hard hit in the last floods, you can't blame them for trying to defend against what could happen. We walked up to Springs Road and ascended by Brockle Beck to Rakefoot; we were visiting Castlerigg Stone Circle and then either walking to Threlkeld or Dale Bottom depending on the weather.
From Catbells to Grisedale Pike from the way up by Brockle Beck
Skiddaw from the path to Nest Brow
It was wet and muddy on the footpath from Rakefoot to Nest Brow. We had decent views, most unexpected!
Looking over at Blencathra
Zooming in on Helvellyn
Not much snow over there but I believe there is still a lot on the eastern side of the mountain
Clough Head and High Rigg
"Who yee looking at"
Helvellyn and its Dodds
Looking back at Bleaberry Fell
When we got to the stone circle we thought it was deserted and we thought we might get a photo with nobody in the shot. Not a chance, we had the usual experience, impossible to get a photo with nobody on and even people were sitting on the stones for their lunch and we gave up when we got too cold, the wind was stronger here.
Castlerigg Stone Circle (the shot with the least number of people on)
Bleaberry Fell from the road to Threlkeld
We got to Naddle Bridge and some rain started to fall so decided to walk to Threlkeld, it was less mileage there than to Dale Bottom.
Our route was Keswick - Springs Road - Rakefoot - Castlerigg stone Circle - Naddle Bridge - Threlkeld. 8.5km with 226m ascent. It took 2 hours and we managed to stay dry and we had a better walk than we expected.
If the weather forecast is correct for the weekend ahead, we will be off on a wild camp