We were on a Karls Kut Price Tour last weekend
I was hoping Karl was going to do a TR but it looks like the lazy sod isn't doing one
So here is my TR.
The weather forecast wasn't great so we'd changed the original plan from the western lakes to the east where the weather was supposed to be better. After picking Karl up from Penrith I drove to the layby near the start of the Old Corpse Road in Mardale.
Kidsty Pike and Haweswater
We started climbing straight away, steeply at first up the Old Corpse Road. Karl had come up with a great idea of visiting Forces Falls in Swindale, we (me and beefy) had never seen them. Weather depending we were going to pitch on Howes a top near Selside Pike.
Hopegill Beck
The Rigg and High Street from the Old Corpse Road
The weather was pretty kind to us to start but the wind got stronger as we climbed.
Kidsty Pike seen above one of the ruined peat huts
Some more old relics
On the way down into Swindale
The Old Corpse Road descends to Swindale Head
Swindale Head below
The path was slippery in places, muddy and slick stones were waiting to catch us out.
In Swindale
It is interesting terrain in Swindale
The path meanders through the drumlins
Looking back toward Swindale Head
The first of the falls on Mosedale Beck
We stopped for some lunch near here enjoying the sound of the water
Our lunchtime view
We'd left the main path to reach the beck and the narrow trod that ascends beside it. Full of food we began the steep climb alongside the beck.
Waterfalls aplenty
I lost count of the number of separate waterfalls
Yet another fine waterfall
A waterfall that reminded me of Aira Force
The way up had been slippery and care had to be taken at times, there were a few drops to the left to be wary of.
A mini fall as we reached the flatter area beyond the main falls
The last waterfall
The wind was stronger here now and there was rain in the air. We hoped to get the tents up before it started raining any heavier. The forecast was for very little rain if any for the far east, it wasn't correct, what a surprise
Mosedale Cottage in the gloom ahead
The bothy was our safety net in case we couldn't find a sheltered spot for our tents on the fellside.
One of the tarns on Nabs Moor
We had ascended onto Nabs Moor and started looking for Karl's rocky area he had thought we could camp at.
Our pitch near Howes
For a Karls Kut Price Tour this was pretty good
The rocky top was found and it did give us shelter from the wind. The ground wasn't perfectly flat so our tent outer wasn't as taut as normal but this is wild camping and you have to expect you are not going to pitching on a lawn. The rain started falling heavier as we pitched and it rained almost continuously all night. So much for the forecast
We chatted to each other from the inside of our tents, shame we couldn't socialise outside. The wind got worse over night and both our tents got a battering. Well Karl said on his website that the wind wasn't a problem. That is because he bleddy snored through the wind battering
Next morning our inside our tents conversation continued with each other and we had both had the idea of going back over Selside Pike back to the car. A shorter route than had been planned because the weather wasn't great. Still raining and windy. We packed up after breakfast and walked over Howes top and kept to the height of the fellside to reach the fence leading to Selside Pike.
On Selside Pike summit
This was the only photo I took on Sunday, the rain on the lens says it all! We dropped down to the Old Corpse Road and back down to the car. It was good to be out with Karl again, shame the weather has been pants for his time off work
Hopefully we will get a better weather wild camp or two done with him the next time he gets the whole weekend off.
Day 1 was Layby near Mardale Head - Old Corpse Road - Swindale Head - Forces Falls - pitch near Howes. 4.4 miles with 530m ascent. Day 2 was Pitch near Howes - Selside Pike - Old Corpse Road - layby near Mardale Head. 3.3 miles with 100m ascent. The rain aside we had really enjoyed the two days, we love those waterfalls and we plan to come back, thanks for the Tour Karl, it was marvellous to be out with you again