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Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Lake District => Topic started by: vghikers on 09:34:46, 02/12/19

Title: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: vghikers on 09:34:46, 02/12/19
A short 2-day winter circuit of the fells around Dovedale to the south-west of Brothers Water.

Late starts, short daylight hours and bus timetables greatly limit the possibilities for winter backpacks but the forecast was for clear and very cold days that made this little round most rewarding. We packed the microspikes but didn't need them, it was so cold on the tops that the thick frost encrusting the rocky landscape was dry and crunchy, not slippery at all. The ice was very patchy and easily avoided despite the recent heavy rains, it also helped considerably with the boggy bits.

The culmination of the round as the light was quickly fading was a superb pitch on Dove Crag (below).

Full report & photos (https://v-g.me.uk/Trips/T1019/T1019.htm)

(https://v-g.me.uk/Trips/T1019/Photos/IMG_20191129_160407.jpg)

Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: karl h on 12:59:41, 02/12/19
Fantastic pics from a brilliant round O0


Despite the long nights and heavier than normal pack winter camping in fine weather can be so rewarding  :)
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: richardh1905 on 20:23:59, 02/12/19
Lovely photos of one of my favourite corners of the Lakes.
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: April on 20:54:58, 02/12/19
Super photos and write up VG  O0 It was minus 5 when we left home on Saturday morning for Nether Wasdale, so yes it must have been a bit cad where you were  ;)
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: vghikers on 21:13:28, 02/12/19
Karl, Richard, April - thanks very much.
It's a long time since we pitched in real winter cold and clarity (on our pitch this last January the conditions were not really wintry). It's a superb experience with enough insulation and we had a lot  :)

April - I assume you were pitched at Nether Wasdale on Saturday then, looking forward to the write up.

Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: April on 21:20:03, 02/12/19
April - I assume you were pitched at Nether Wasdale on Saturday then, looking forward to the write up.

We were. In tropical conditions compared to your camp  ;)
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 21:47:38, 02/12/19
Great pictures. It looked very cold where you pitched your tent. I remember going to Dovedale when I was a teenager, but don’t remember too much, as that was almost 40 years ago.
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: vghikers on 17:30:22, 03/12/19
Thanks Mike, a deep freeze pitch this time.
Dovedale always brings to mind the famous Peak District dale, we tend to forget about the LD one.
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: Bigfoot_Mike on 18:54:05, 03/12/19
Thanks Mike, a deep freeze pitch this time.
Dovedale always brings to mind the famous Peak District dale, we tend to forget about the LD one.
Ahhh. It was the Peak District Dovedale I visited. I should have checked the thread I was in.
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: sunnydale on 22:14:54, 03/12/19
Excellent photos vg  O0
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: vghikers on 11:46:58, 04/12/19
Thanks again, a short and sweet round in great conditions.
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: Mel on 18:17:21, 04/12/19
That looks a fab little trip but, brrrrrrr, rather you than me  :o
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: vghikers on 19:22:25, 04/12/19
Mel - fab indeed, pity it had to be so short but it was worth the journey up.  :)
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: Lee R on 20:52:35, 04/12/19
Looks ace :)
Title: Re: [TR] Around Dovedale 2-day backpack
Post by: vghikers on 21:24:05, 04/12/19
Thanks Lee, we need more weather like that  :)