Threlkeld to Rydal

It appeared to be a good idea.

MWIS implied the cloud would disperse from the hills later in the day.

So an afternoon hike from Threlkeld, ending the next day in Rydal would be a good summer stroll.

But who can tell what July in Cumbria will throw at you.

Perhaps it was a good thing UNESCO were not with us.

A grey line hung above us as we left the Blencathra Centre and there it remained.

Soon wrapped in a cocoon of white fug. From Threlkeld Knotts to Sticks pass there was nothing to see.  We plodded along with a vague hope things would improve over the next hill. 

They never did.  When the rain started to add to the mood, evacuation became inevitable.  This was not going to be a night to camp on a hill. 

Ironically there was full 4G coverage, so we could check the forecast for the next day. 

Promise of clear blue sky and sunshine gave us hope it would be a short sojourn in the valley.

Still, dropping down via Sticks Pass to spend the evening in the warmth of the Kings Head pub was definitely the right decision.

This was a ridiculous time to be awake and walking. 

The only other sign of life was a loan sheep.

There was a slight feeling we’d cheated.  A pub and we’d be missing out Raise.

We trudged up the side of Whiteside as the sun slowly crept up.  Eventually arriving on Lower Man as it washed the hills with a soft golden glow.  A justified reward for the day passed by.

Breakfast on Helvellyn.  Not even a sheep.

A delightful stroll across the tops of Nethermost and Dollywagon.  Sharp hills sketched across the skyline.

One last pull up from Grisedale Tarn.

To unusually empty shelters on Fairfield

So we headed south.  Not quite bouncing across Great Rigg and Heron Pike but out steps had a great deal more enthusiasm than those in the swirl of grey on the Dodds.

Eventually we reached Rydal.

Perhaps it was July after all?

Route