Esk Pike and Bow Fell, 22 February 2009

Well, it's been a while since we've been to the Lakes, but glad to say they're still there and the mountains are just as we left them.

Rich M, John D and Davie were transported via John's TURDIS (just like a TARDIS, only smaller on the inside) to a busy Seathwaite, although, in the fashion of French tourists, John drove right to the end of the line and parked the Turdis right at the farm.

Way to go Dicko - no staggering back to the car along a mile of road when John's in charge of the wheels!

We had thought about a walk up to Sty Head then over to Pillar, but we managed to talk ourselves out of that and decided on an equally bold move to go over Esk Pike and go for Bow Fell.

It was going to be cold up top: MWIS had informed of 30mph winds and cloud above 600m.

Great!

Throwing on his tracky bottoms and rather fetching Dr Who scarf (bit of a theme going on here) John led us out of Seathwaite and up towards Esk Hause.

There was still a bit of snow about and we made sure to steer towards this at every opportunity (not quite 'up to your chest, Cairngorm snow, a la Ginger - but still great fun...)

When we arrived at Great End, there was a party attempting a grade II, maybe III, winter climb up the first gully. There was still a fair bit of snow being held and they were making hard work of the initial stages.

Definitely one for the Verdes boys.

We got over Esk Pike with little difficulty and Bow Fell was visible through the clag. A quick hack through the boulders and snow fields and we were at the bottom of Bow Fell. While John and Rich scampered to the top, Davie detoured over to have a look at Bow Fell buttress and the slabs.

Awesome! This is definitely going to get a visit soon.

We had our meagre lunch on top of BF; meagre, as the Rheged fuel station was closed and we had to get by on peanuts - except mountain ibis John, who had managed purloin a seemingly endless supply of pork pies.

We descended down Ore gap through bog and snow fields and picked up the path at Angle Tarn, heading back to Esk Hause and then Seathwaite. We took some time to practice timing and pacing and factors that can influence. Well, it kept our minds off the fact that we were puggled.

It's quite sobering really when you look at the nice picture of Langdale below and remember that in the last two weeks 3 people have died in this area.

So remember - even if there is a dusting of snow, a slip is a slip.... so crampons ON and axe OUT.

The fastest ever return from the Lakes was then executed in immaculate style by Dicko and his Turdis - a truly amazing feat of tranportation by the young doctor.

A great day out that had a bit of everything.

Davie