Hiking
Skiddaw (931 m.), view from Crosthwaite Road roundabout
Really fantastic walk in three parts: flat valley among the drumlins between Keswick and Underscar. Upwards though mixed woods to Latrigg Saddle, then breaking out of the tree line to open fell.
I took my picnic of the first mince pies of the season just up from the gate to Lonscale Fell, with a view of all the tops clear through the haze. Reluctantly descending through Brundholme Wood as the sun was setting fast.
I hiked slowly, enjoying the colours and views (the fells equivalent of “smelling the roses”) as this has been the best day’s hiking in Cumbria all summer. Yes, this is now November, what a year!
Plus, chatting with others out there also enjoying the sunshine, looking around and doing the “One life, live it!” thing.
Shower at home in Keswick, then the long journey back to London.
But... I enjoyed the sunset at the Three Bears bus stop for rather longer than expected as the buses were stuck in Keswick’s gridlock; many thanks to Mike who baled me out with a lift to Penrith so I didn’t miss the big train sauth.
More photos: Lonscale Fell Gate - Lake District National Park
Hike from the Rifugio Albergo Pian del Re (2040 m.) under the North-east face of Monviso (3841 m.) to see the Sources of the River Po, Italy’s longest river that flows from here in the Cottian Alps to the Adriatic across the whole of the north of the country. Close by is the mountain in France, Le Pain de Sucre (3208 m.), another of the very few summits over 3000 m. to which I've hiked.
A contour hike from the Col du Granon (2404 m.) to the Col de l’Oule (2506 m.) to enjoy the mountain air and for dramatic views of some of the highest peaks of the Alps, now dusted with fresh snow from the storms of the previous days. One of those super-clear days with amazing visibility once above the mist in the valleys below. Strong sunlight but a bitter wind from the North.
We saw Mont Blanc (4805 m.) and many other high peaks of the Alps using binoculars or telephoto lens, with the peaks of the Écrins immediately opposite on the far side of the Serre-Chevalier Valley. This rocky landscape is above the tree line but not without life: berries on the juniper shrub and the grass was astonishingly alive with crickets, small birds and occasional calls of marmottes around the water far away.
More photos: Col du Granon (2404 m.) to Col de l’Oule (2506 m.)
Lac des Cerces (2410 m.)
Hike up to the Lac des Cerces from the road to the Col du Galibier, plenty of water in the streams coming down from the lakes but the grass already turning yellow in the alpages. The weather was a bit dodgy but good enough to hike high up on granite of the Massif des Cerces; this massif has several classic climbing routes as well as a military training camp. Part of our route was the GR57, a variant of the Tour du Mont Thabor (3082 m.). Fine view of the Le Grand Galbier (3228 m.), the highest peak of this massif.
More photos: Lac des Cerces (2410 m.) - Massif des Cerces-Thabor
Climbing on good old Dartmoor granite at Leigh Tor, a family day out. I climbed a couple of routes on top rope as this is the first time we’ve climbed together, then a couple more climbs with my nephew leading. He’s far more experienced than I and knows this crag. And great for me to see at first hand and use together last year’s Christmas presents.
