Kidsty Pike

 

Strange how things work out.  Until nine days ago I’d been on Kidsty Pike once.

On the way to Robin Hoods Bay.

Day four of Coast to Coast.

Now I’ve been up three times.

Last week from Haweswater.

Walking the C2C backwards from Burnbanks along Haweswater.  Battling up Kidsty Pike through ‘considerable buffeting’ and rain which has become typical of Summer 2015.

Low clouds and the odd flicker of sunshine added suitable drama to my staggering against the wind funnelling down from the Pike.  Things eventually eased, clouds lifted and we could see.  A stagger turned to a stroll.  Crossing the tops of Raven How and Red Crag, back to cars at Burnbanks

Today could not have been more different.

It was calm, sunny.  A ‘strictly’ (yes, it’s that time of year) Autumnal snap in the air.

This time it was cars at Hartsop.  Up towards Hayeswater before branching off to High Street and eventually Kidsty Pike, again!

Stopping en route to don hats, coats, gloves.  It was cold, despite the sunshine.

Kestrels hunted around , though not the Riggindale eagle.  Deer browsed in the valley, ears flicking and the odd glance our way.  They knew they were safe.

Rest Dodd was still on my friends list of Wainwrights so after admiring the view we went down, via Rampsgill.  Up again to stand and stare some more.

Helvellyn and hills muscled in behind Ullswater ,  clear sky allowing Gable to crash the photo.

Sunshine which cleared the sky and picked up the folds in the hills sides.  Trees so sharp they could have come straight out of my toy farm yard.  (Cumbrian child!)

My stomach was rumbling dramatically by this stage but rather than sit in the wind chill we headed down to Angle Tarn.

Totally sheltered.  Perfect reflected sky.

Perfect day.

The routes.