The Lake District : 15th - 16th October 2025

With a good weather forecast and a new electric car to try out, Chris visited John’s house in the north of the Lake District to sample some of the local hills and local culture.

An early start on Wednesday 15th got John and Chris onto the 77a bus from Keswick to Buttermere, 50 minutes for a 15 mile ride on single track roads barely a few inches of tarmac wider than the bus, very few passing places and a 25% climb over Honister pass. Great views including Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks all for £3 per adult.

The Sykes tea rooms in Buttermere proved too tempting, so a coffee and 2nd breakfast were enjoyed before heading into the misty mountains. Several walkers told of a glorious cloud inversion the previous day and the forecast mentioned breaks in the clouds, but sadly it was cloudy above 500m all day.  Wainwrights climbed were Whiteless Pike, Wandope, Grassmoor, Crag Hill, Sail, Scar Crags and Causey Pike , up to 852m with 1160m of climb. Dry weather, pleasant grassy slopes and rocky tops. Good views of Derwent Water when descending from Causey Pike and a total of 20k back to Keswick.

Chris got a rapid immersion in the local history of Whitehall, Peel Towers, turret clocks, 1902 Daimlers and George Moore before dinner at the Oddfellows Arms in Caldbeck, the home to other decrepit mountaineers including Chris Bonnington.

Thursday weather was similarly cloudy, dry, cool and windless for an ascent of Blencathra via Scales Tarn and Sharp Edge. An awkward scramble if wet, fortunately the rocks were dry although polished by previous generations of walkers. Sharp Edge added scrambly interest up to the 868m summit, with a broken stone ring marking the site of a trig point. Tops were again misty but views emerged for a lunch stop along the ridge. 815m of ascent and 13k total walk got us back to Threlkeld, where the Village Hall tea shop had a fine choice of refreshments.

A look around some of the numerous Keswick outdoor shops failed to produce an elusive wedding anniversary gift, proving the old adage that it is the thought that counts. A couple of enjoyable days of fresh autumnal air bagging eight Wainwrights.

John Mason