Cumbrian traverse reccie pt1

18th March 20012

I decided that some walking would be a good test of progress with my injured knee so took a trip to the Lake district with a view to walking the first half of the cumbian traverse.

The Cumbrian Traverse is a south to north, high-level traverse of 21 Lakeland peaks involving some 35 miles and 12,000 feet of ascent. It starts at Broughton mills in Dunnerdale and finishes at the Moot hall in Keswick, taking in some of the finest views in the country.

Great Stickle - 305m

I set off in good spirits at 9.30am and soon got into my stride, Great stickle is easy at only 305 metres.

Stickle Pike - 375m

I then pressed on to Stickle pike, Caw and white maiden, gradually gaining height along the way, the ground was getting harder and the paths were covered with ice, at this time my phone decided to die so no more pictures. Next was Brown pike and Dow crag, looking south from here i could see Old Man of Coniston with a thin covering of snow and a thick covering of walkers.

It was really quite busy for such a cold day and i was glad to get on my way and distance myself from the crowd. 

Caw - 529m

I pressed on to Swirl How, the highest in this half at 802 metres, Great Carrs was next followed by a steady jog to the ridge overlooking the Wrynose Pass, i stopped here for a quick coffee and watched the world go by, across the pass i could see Cold Pike and Pike O Blisco in the distance, the sky was clear and the air clean and crisp. It doesn’t take long to get cold when you stop so i pressed on down to the pass and chose my line for the climb up the other side to Cold Pike.

Looking towards Old man of Coniston from Caw.

It looked a long haul but i was soon on the summit trying to decide which cairn was highest, there is only a metre in it so i touched both. The final descent of the day down into Langdale Valley was covered with ice but sticking to the grass was an easy and safe option.

Old Man of Coniston (not my image)

My partner met me at the Old Dungeon Ghyll with hot coffee and a sandwich, 5hrs & 40 mins – 17 miles and approx 7,000ft of climb. A good day out and the knee was ok.