
Set out with Dan under a stinking cold which I`d gone down with hard over night.
Steady slog up Wrynose.
More rose as clag started to clear during out first brew up.
More plod up to Crinkle, still mostly clouded.
Made good time over Crinkle, reaching 3 Tarns a little before 6pm and still in clag.
Rather than push higher - still in clag - we decided to bivvy and enjoy the high ground in the forecast heat wave!
Amazing bivvi site.
Moonlit Bowfell with the Plough sat above it particularly wonderful site.
Day II:
Got going up Bow Fell around 7.30am. Already hot work. Felt rough heading up Esk. Had a brew on top and felt better.
Went steadily over the Central Fell tops, resting on top of SP with the throng before gladly dropping to Mickledore and leaving the throng behind.
The Broadstand move felt tricky, esp with big packs. I spotted Dan and then passed my pack up.
Descent down scree to Wasdale a highlight. Hot down there. Dan flagging. Got to Wasdale Head Inn and spent a wonderful several hours easting, drinking, resting. Bathed in the river. Headed up the valley around 5 and stopped not long after in the shade outside the BnB - not feeling great and did not fancy being cooked on the climb to Styhead.
Nearer 6 it was cooler and I was revived by tea and paracetamol.
Climbing in flip flops having washed shoes in river and fancying a change.
Encountered several people descending who were strung out by the heat/dehydration.
Reached Styhead Tarn around 8 and decided to bivvi. Slept well on the gravel beach - didn`t even need a mat.
Day III:
Woke around 0530hrs to sound of thunder. Got up iot get packed before storm arrived. We`d just moved off when storm hit with EPIC speed! - Never seen anything to come close to it.
Sat huddled together in gulley of Aaron Slack.
After torrential rain and hail - 30 mins - we headed on.
A second round came in as we topped out on Green Gable. We had to scurry away from the lightning.
Cleared up and we headed over Brandreth and Grey Knotts. Round three threatened as we descended to Honister, hastening our descent.
Got dry and warm and fed in the hostel and the cafe.
Good climb over the final three peaks, weather staying dry. Beautiful finish down through Little Town and along under Cat Bells to reach Keswick where we had Fish n Chips and got a room at the Denton Hostel.
Area :
Central Fells
The Vale of Keswick, provides separation from the Northern Fells whilst to the west runs the long valley of Borrowdale. The parallel eastern boundary is created by Thirlmere and the St Johns in the Vale. Grasmere to Windermere forms the remainder of the eastern boundary. In the west, Stake Pass descends into Great Langdale.