My next upcoming trip will leave on December the 28th and last until January the 3rd. We'll be spending the New Year in Great Langdale, which is one of my favourite places anywhere and home to some of the very best mountains in Britain.
The plan is to take the train from home to Norwich on the 27th, then wake up early to catch the 9 AM train from Norwich to the Lake District. We should arrive in Windermere by half past four, then catch a taxi to the campsite at Dungeon Ghyll ... that means pitching tents in the dark again! I just hope the ground won't be frozen, because otherwise we're going to have a hell of a job getting the tent pegs in.
This will be my very first winter mountaineering expedition. Although there is a good chance of low temperatures and snow, this isn't Scotland: the Lakes is a much safer environment for a winter newbie. I've spent the past couple of months building up my supply of winter gear. I just hope it'll all work on the hill!
ITINERARY
Day 1: Wednesday 28th
Arrive at Windermere, get a taxi to Langdale, and set up camp in a sheltered spot.
Day 2: Thursday 29th
Lingmoor Fell
Technicality: Mild to Moderate
A nice leisurely walk for the first day, incorporating the classic views of Langdale from Lingmoor with a little easy scrambling over Side Pike, weather permitting. We may extend the walk down to Elterwater and Loughrigg Tarn if there's time.
Day 3: Friday 30th
Langdale Pikes, northern group
Technicality: Hard (Basic Technical for Jack's Rake)
The plan for today is to climb Mill Gill to Stickle Tarn, then pick a route up Pavey Ark: Jack's Rake if it's dry and non-icy, or North Rake if the conditions are less ideal. From Pavey Ark we will then strike off across the moor, hopefully visiting Thunacar Knott, Sergeant Man and High Raise before descending via Mill Gill. I'm hoping for good views of the northern Lake District from High Raise (a hill I've never climbed before!)
Day 4: Saturday 31st
Langdale Pikes, central group
Technicality: Hard
I know it's both a New Year's Eve and a Saturday today, but the plan is nevertheless to have a bash at the main Pikes. Unless the weather is poor it will be very busy! We'll go up via the Pike Howe route, though, so should avoid the throngs at Stickle Tarn. The plan is to climb Harrison Stickle, Loft Crag and Pike of Stickle before coming back down via Stake Pass.
Day 5: Sunday 1st of January
Traverse of Crinkle Crags
Technicality: Sustained Hard
Again, it's bound to be busy on New Year's Day, but we're going to start early and aim to have polished off Pike of Blisco by about 10 AM, weather permitting. Then it's onto the classic traverse of Crinkle Crags--from the south--and I have promised myself to climb the Bad Step without sneaking around it this time! Should be a great day.
Day 6: Monday 2nd
Bowfell group
Technicality: Hard
And now for Langdale's greatest prize, and one of my favourite mountains: Bowfell. We'll be taking the Climber's Traverse route, then hopefully progressing onto Esk Pike and maybe Allen Crags if weather and available daylight are kind to us. I always enjoy Bowfell no matter what the weather, so this will be a great grand finale.
Day 7: Tuesday 3rd
Catch the usual train at 10:40, arriving in Norwich at 17:10, hopefully to be picked up by our parents. Otherwise we'll stay at my place at UEA for the night before returning home the next day.
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