MOUNTAIN CLIMBS & WALKS

May 13 - 17th  2009    KESWICK  MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
An action-packed 5 days with Climbs, Walks, Films, Instructional days, Paragliding, Kayaking and as many other diverse and popular Outdoor Pursuits you can think of.
Keswick Mountain Festival will take place in 2008 from 14th to 18th May.

1.   Scafell Pike (3210 ft) England's highest Mountain. 
Easily accessible from Wasdale, Langdale, Borrowdale (Seathwaite) & Eskdale. 
There is a large cairn of rocks on the top.  Usually a lot of  people Walking up there.  For a quieter and memorable route try the Mickledore ascent from Brotherkeld Farm at the base of  Hardknott Pass.

2.  Scawfell (3162 ft) 
Whereas Walkers favour Scawfell Pike, the more serious  Rock CLIMBERS come to this mountain to tackle the buttresses and precipitous cliffs of Scawfell.
WALKERS can ascend via Foxes Tarn (easy). 
Lord's  Rake route and the West Wall Traverse are now regarded as  UNSAFE!
Keep off Broad Stand unless you have serious Rock climbing abilities - scary drops!!

3. Helvellyn (3118 ft) 
The most popular mountain in the Lake District.  The easiest ascents are from the Thirlmere side but the best ones are from Glenridding via Striding Edge,
returning along Swirral Edge.
You could include it in a Fine Ridge Walk from the Old Coach Road near Dowthwaite Head to Grisedale (14 miles)

4.  Skiddaw ( 3053 ft)
An impressive mountain to look at, which dominates the Keswick skyline.  Easy to "climb" (Even your Grannie could do it with the correct footwear - mine did)!  A good safe mountain for a first-timer, with broad pathways that a landrover could negotiate. 
Superb views from the top across Keswick > Borrowdale > Bassenthwaite.
Walk it from Town via Latrigg Fell or  you could cheat and take your car via Applethwaite up the Gale Road, then leave it on the small car parking area, at the base of Skiddaw next to  the top gate off Latrigg. 
(Be aware, there are very few parking places - poss. 6 max.)

** Be very aware of Mountain Bikers, who think it's an Adrenaline Rush to carry their bikes most of the way up Skiddaw  (& Latrigg) then come flying down like "looney-tunes", usually blind to anything in their way- it's  actually more of an adrenaline rush (with fear) to those who get in their way - wondering if they can get out of their way in time!!

5. Great End  (2984 ft)
Lives up to it's name esp. when seen from near Seathwaite or from Langdale via the Band, Bowfell and Esk Pike.  This is  high mountain-country so care is needed at all times.

6. Bowfell  (2960 ft)
A beautiful conical shaped mountain of great character with grassy banks leading to block slabs.  A favourite with Climbers and Walkers alike.  It's a great walk from Crinkle Crags
- a fantastic leg-burning route up from the Langdales via Stool End and Rossett Gill.   Another good route, which won't be over-populated,  is up  Langstrath from Stonethwaite.

7.  Great Gable  ( 2949 ft)
A favourite with the Rock Climbers.  Napes Needle & Sphinx Rock are challenges.  Climbing it from Honister Pass is cheating but cuts off a few hundred yards,
if u want to get on with the job in hand!

8.  Pillar  (2927 ft)
Named after a spire of rock on the north face which towers over Ennerdale. 
The best ascent is via Black Sail Pass either from Wasdale or Ennerdale.

9.  Blencathra  (2847 ft)
A popular climb, esp. Striding Edge. A good mix of walk and climb. 
Most people park in Threlkeld (5 miles from Keswick ) to start their climb.
2 Pubs in Threlkeld for  a well-deserved Bar meal and drink after your descent.   
 The Horse & Farrier and The Salutation Inn.

10.  Catbells (1481 ft)
Another easy climb/walk.  Approached from Newlands Nr. Keswick.  You could park your car at Gutherscale Car Park and start your walk from there.  There is also Catbells ridge, which is not so steep and has the most fantastic views across Derwentwater.
Swinside Inn is only a stone's throw from the Car Park after your descent and serves Pub Grub and a well deserved beverage/ale!

11.  Haystacks (1959 ft)
It's little more than a cluster of tops hemmed in by sheer drops to the North and South and nestled in between other giants.  It is however very popular with walkers and is often praised, even though it is rather an unassuming Fell.  You never quite know if you have reached the summit or not as the usual rocky cairn is not in evidence!  There is a lovely route up tho with many pools and Tarns on the way.  Wainwright loved Haystacks and requested his "Ashes" be sprinkled near the summit by Innominate Tarn.

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