M6, Mountains and premature temporary ageing

M6, Mountains and premature temporary ageing

Andrew phones and says that the road to Catbells carpark is shut and proposes another option, start at the Youth Hostel and go do the circuit from the other direction. Later looking at the map I realise this involves climbing all the way up to the tops, descending all the way to the valley floor and then re-ascending again. Twice the climb. I agree. Must be good training for Nepal.

The M6 was ok considering setting off at 5:30 in the morning, one lorry fire was enough to delay me by half an hour, however arriving late meant avoiding a Lake District downpour. A fortuitous fire?

Great to be walking with Andrew and Monty again, after a damp sweaty start reached the top of High Spy, then all the way to the valley floor for lunch and then all the way up again to Hindscarth and Dale Head. All new routes and I have now completed all of the “major” tops in the Lakes (not sure how this relates to Wainwrights but who cares). We had views from all of them. Brilliant. Monty likes to find the high points on the walk, sit majestically and survey the scene as if he owns it. Looking for sheep more like!

The way down was tough, “training for Nepal” – not interested at this moment in time, just very tired. On commenting how slippery grass can be I lost my footing and went down with a thump. I did not enjoy that. Walked the rest of the way willing the hostel to get nearer.

It is amazing what a shower, a beer and the promise of good food can do for one’s moral. Hostels have come a long way from having to hide your drink at risk of it being confiscated (had a bottle of champagne go this way). Whisky and good conversation was had before sleeping well.

The next day saw us up Green Gable which was covered in verglas, which made walking like traversing a three dimensional ice rink. Give me a snow covered peak any day. Global warming has diminished the mountain experience with the increasing lack of snow. Decided against Great Gable, it would be more of the same and no views in the cloud. Lunched at Styhead Tarn. Lunch with Monty consists of defending your food from the dog. His snout is straight in your ruck sack as soon as it is opened. A piece of chocolate fell out, gone in under a second. When meeting other people Monty always pretends to want to be friends, however food is the motivation. Never be fooled by a dog.

Met a lady who worked locally enjoying her day off work, Monty made the introductions as normal. He wanted her banana sandwiches. Good to talk about the fells, farms and local work. I sound as if Monty is a pain, he is not, he is excellent company and entertainment and not a bad scrambler as well.

On getting out of the car at home after another very enjoyable journey on the M6, I found that my legs and back had ceased to work, felt like an aged person, difficult to walk to the house. Sitting for 4 and a half hours in a car after a good walk in the mountains causes the body to age temporarily. Fortunately it eases with time. Is this a foretaste of what is to come? If so better get more mountains in whilst I can!