Our final British trip of the year took us camping to the Banana field on the shores of Coniston water in the English lake district.

After navigating the Friday morning traffic out of Newcastle a large contingent headed for the Kirkstone pass, whilst the rest of us had work to do in Newcastle and would join them at the campsite later. The drivers had a nice amble up to Stonycove pike (763m) before driving down to Ambleside. The rest of the group headed over Red Screes (776m) before heading over Little Hart Crag (637m) on up to Dove Crag (792m)

Above – View north towards Brothers water

Then descending down over High Pike (656m) and Low Pike (508m) into the pub in Ambleside. They then drove down to the campsite, had a swim and cooked dinner.

Above – View across Coniston Water from the campsite

Saturday dawned with overcast skies. As we headed out for our walk the heavens opened when we parked up at Low Tilberthwaite carpark. We then set off for the walk splitting into two main groups and enjoying the varied scenery encountered throughout the day as well as the intermittent showers.

Above – Ascending from the carpark.

Below – Herdwick sheep in the mist

We started by heading over the pass and dropping down to the Greenburn beck before ascending the ridge up to Great Carrs and Swirl How (802m) where we encountered a fell race as well as the memorial to a Halifax bomber that had crashed in 1944. After leaving Swirl How we continued into the wind over the Old man of Coniston (803m) where intermittent views were experienced. We then gained greater views as we descended down to Coniston village and visited the Sun Inn. We were met by Markos and Laurie who after sorting out the vans had enjoyed a nice scramble up onto Wetherlam.

Upon returning to the campsite we had a lovely barbecue and enjoyed the campsite and campfire all evening.

Above – Group photo

Below – NADS and the campfire

On Sunday morning whilst most people explored Coniston and went Kayaking or had a small hike or run local to the campsite. Three of us headed out for a longer walk.

Above – Kayaking on Coniston Water

Josh, Laurie and Matthew W parked at Cockley bridge and headed steeply up the side of Ulpha fell across pathless terrain and on to Crinkle Crags (859m) where we experienced thick cloud and lots of wind. After have a spot of lunch at three tarns we headed up Bow fell (902m) where we then inadvertently followed an alternative cairn line back to three tarns where Laurie left us and returned to the van. We the headed back over Bow fell and down to Ore gap where we finally started to gain some views before heading over Esk pike (885m) and then onto Great End (910m). We reentered the cloud here and raced across the boulder fields and scree up to the summit of Scafell Pike (978m) the highest point in England.

Above – Scafell Pike summit.

After leaving Scafell pike we descended down to the river Esk which we then forded and started to enjoy the sun that had started to appear. We then traversed across Long Crag to Lingcove beck which we then forded. However we then followed this down instead of heading over the small rise into Moasdale. After a beautiful walk down we joined the Esk again and reached the road. We then had the lovely experience of walking over Hardknott pass back to Cockley beck to find Laurie and the van to complete an enjoyable walk.

Upon returning to the campsite we made some dinner and had a relaxing evening playing cards, rounders and chatting.

Awaking Monday morning we packed down in the gorgeous sunshine before heading up to Patterdale for the walks. Two groups enjoyed a nice walk up to place fell (657m), some even stopped for ice cream. Whilst the rest of us headed up over St. Sunday crag (841m) and onto Fairfield (873m).

Above – Fairfield summit

After summiting Fairfield we descended over Hart crag (822m) and down Hartsop above How to the valley and back to Patterdale village. After a short relax at the Patterdale hotel we headed for Penrith and then returned to Newcastle.

Thank you very much for everyone who came for making it such a lovely trip and thank you to everyone who has helped to make this year such an enjoyable one. – Josh