Catbells and Maiden Moor

1484 feet and 1887 feet respectively

Date                    5/10/2008

Walks done to:  Raise money for the Royal Preston Hospital Neurological Dept. as a thank you for the service given to our colleague Marian

Weather:            Beautiful

Distance             8 miles.

Started at:          Hawes End

This walk was done by 13 colleagues, family and friends to raise money for the above hospital. For many on this walk, it was their first experience of fell walking. The party had 4 children ranging from aged 6 to 12 and they were fantastic.

For an experianced walker it's considered one of the easier walks, for novices it is the perfect fell to gain experience. Its steep start, its superb ridge, followed by paths above steep slopes and some scrambling near the summit make this an ideal fell to introduce them to the delights of fell walking. However, slips and falls can happen to anyone and 13 turned out to be unlucky for one of our party, as Pam slipped on the very steep descent from Hause Gate. Thankfully after a check over at Kendal Hospital, no bones were broken, and so she limped into work a little late on Monday morning.

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Our party begin the steep climb right at the start of the walk

 

 

Hana and Emma with Causey Pike behind.

 

Taking a rest, there's more to climb yet

 

 

Already the views have opened up, and water is also needed

 

On the zig zag path engineered by Sir John Woodford. The steepness and height gain clearly shown

 

Plaque on the lower slopes

 

The first false summit - it's been steep and we have only walked half a mile!

 

Nearing the top of the false summit the true top comes into view beyond

 

Billy, with Hana and Sue behind

 

Billy on the superb ridge and the final slope to the summit beyond

 

The view looking back from the lower section of the summit climb. The Skiddaw massive is in the distance.

 

The start of the assault on the summit, top right of photo. Our party well split

 

Billy with the beautiful Newlands Valley behind.

 

Almost there, as Andrew and Sue take a breather....

 

..... and Pam smiles for the camera, whilst husband Paul takes in the with the fantastic views over Derwent Water.

 

The ridge from near Catbells summit

 

Done it. Billy, Pam, Emma, Jamie and Sue atop Catbells...

 

....whilst Hana and Naeem take the final few steps to get there.

 

... and get there they do.

 

Emma, Jamie and Sue on Catbells summit

The happy party on the top

 

Looking across Newlands Valley to Ard Crags and Causey Pike

 

Zooming in on a ferry from Catbells summit. This was meant to be our transport home - but too much water in the lake meant that the landing stages were under water and so no ride home for us this time.

 

Naeem, Hana, Sue and Jamie start the descent from Catbells as a man devours an unhealthy bag of crisps

 

Our party on path from Catbells to Maiden Moor

 

Not a great photo, but the only one I took showing our second target, Maiden Moor

 

The flooded fields in front of the Lodore Hotel - taken from Hause Gate

 

Looking back to Catbells from the lower slopes of Maiden Moor

 

A nice easy stretch - our group negotiate a wet section of the path

 

Looking back to the Catbells ridge and summit. Skiddaw in the distance

 

Troy pulls Emma, as he did all day whilst on the lead - no wonder she had stiff legs on monday!!

 

A view from Maiden Moor shows the steepness and height gained

 

Looking back to Catbells and the Skiddaw massive

 

Maiden Moor summit - and snack time

 

Andrew atop Maiden Moor

 

Locals enjoy the views

 

The start of the descent from Maiden Moor to Hause Gate

 

Emma and Troy before the descent to Hause Gate. I would just like to thank Emma for looking after Troy for most of the day. It was nice to have my arm at an angle other than 45 degrees

 

Emma and Jamie with Blencathra (l) and Dalehead (r) as a great background

 

Hana and Sue with Derwent Water behind

 

Troy admires the view - more likely seen a sheep

 

Pam waits as Emma puts the lead on Troy

 

What a view as we make the descent to the col

 

Troy returns from an inquisitive foray

 

The steep descent from Hause Gate

 

Concentration - as Jamie makes the final part of the descent

 

Billy and Naeem on a rock pinnacle

 

Hana and Sue descend with concentration showing.

 

Followed closely by Emma

 

Andrew has a moment, and takes in the scenery as he patiently waits for everyone to make the descent

 

We had intended catching a launch but as they weren't picking up - we walked back along the lakeside path, which in itself offers spectacular views , as this view to Walla Crag shows

 

One of the launches

 

And a closer view of it under Blencathra

 

Almost back at the car - a last view to Skiddaw

 

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