Over The Mountains & Around The Lakes by James Webber

OVER THE MOUNTAINS &

AROUND THE LAKES

Thank you to my parents for first introducing me to the Lake District and thank you to anyone who has joined me on my journeys. I hope for many more to come.

ÂŠ 2012 by the author of this book (James Webber) The book author retains sole copyright to his contributions to this book. All rights reser ved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or other wise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.

OVER THE MOUNTAINS &

AROUND THE LAKES James Webber 7

contents

Introduction

Join Me On My Journeys

Trip to Watendlath

Up and Over Wansfell Pike

A Climb to Stickle Tarn

A Sunset to See Us Off

introduction My name is James Webber and I am a student

when you do it with your family and friends it

from Milton Keynes. Since the age of 3, whether

feels one hundred times better. And of course

I remember it or not, I have been what is known

they make you not look like a lonely person with

as a ‘rambler’.

nothing better to do than walk ever ywhere.

For those of you unaware of

what a rambler is, simply put it is someone who

But there is something about walking in the

enjoys walking in the countr yside and does so for

countr yside that you can just not put into words,

pleasure. Strange right?

which is why I am doing it through pictures. The

The rambling community is a ver y friendly

place that holds my cherished memories is the

one. When out walking you will find that anyone

Lake District, and is the basis of this book. It is

dressed in ankle high boots, fluorescent rain

England’s largest national park and is preser ved

jackets, wielding a walking stick (sometimes

by the National Trust. It is the home of earthly

even two) will happily greet you with cheer y

giants of England such as Scarfell Pike, the highest

“’ow do?” or a simple “Good morning/afternoon”.

mountain, and Wastwater Lake, the deepest lake.

You will sometimes find they will even stop for

In my opinion, it is truly the most beautiful place

a chat, which makes for a great break from the

in England and hopefully my future home.

slow and steady ascent up the monstrous piece of

Throughout this book I will be mentioning a

land. But I find the best company you can have

few names so lets introduce you to the characters

when scaling the mountains and the lakes is your

(they are real people). We have my Mother

family and friends (and not forgetting the dog!).

and Father, of course. Then we have Katie, my

Getting to the top of mountains or all the way

girlfriend. Her sister, Georgia. Her parents Nick

around lakes is a real challenge, and getting to

and Glenys. And Oscar, the black Cocker Spaniel.

the top is one hell of a personal achievement. So 10

join me on my journeys This book is a photographic journal of just a handful of my adventures to the Lake District. Its aim is to give you a feeling of what it is like to be a rambler and share with you the beauty of the countryside.

To Watendlath and Back Again

TO WATENDLATH AND BACK AGAIN Watendlath is what is known as a hamlet 1 . It sits

the odd occasion where we had to step aside for a

high and cosy in between the valleys of Borrowdale

few cars. Oscar the dog was truly in his element

and Thirlmere approximately 847 feet above sea

with his nose to the

level. The tarn is roughly 7 acres in size, with a

ground taking in all

maximum depth of 56 feet. It was supposedly given

the smells that the

to the National Trust by Queen Victoria’s daughter,

Lake District had to

Princess Louise, in memor y of her brother, King

offer. His tail did not

Edward VII. It is fairly popular among fisherman

stop wagging until

as it is stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout

we returned to the

and is a popular fly fishing water.

car! The day started

Rather than driving all the way there we decided

“The walk down the road made sure we really deserved the tea and hot chocolates”

off a little cloudy,

to park up a little while down the road at the famous

looking like the possibility of rain ahead. But

viewpoint known as ‘Surprise View’, which was a

thankfully it held off and turned out to be a lovely

perfectly fitting name for the spot. We laced up our

day. A little cold, but lovely none the less. Once we

boots and chucked on the all weather clothing and

reached the National Trust tea shop and had our

got walking. The walk down the road made sure

break we began our ascent up past Watendlath Tarn

we really deser ved the tea and hot chocolate’s from

and on the hunt for Dock Tarn up in the mountains.

the lovely little tea house located right next to the tarn. The walk along the road was a quiet one with

1 - A small settlement, generally one smaller than a village.

To Watendlath and Back Again

The walk up to Dock Tarn was a fairly gentle stroll with the odd

in us all being splashed with the dirty water. The colours around the

occasion where a bit of a scramble took place. But it was nothing

tarn were lovely. It was like walking through a sea of orange.

we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all handle. It seemed that the weather had been a bit

But sadly due to the swamp-like conditions it meant that we could

miserable the day before as the walk got ver y swampy from time to

not get ver y close to the tarn. Therefore I had to make do with where

time. So much so that Georgia with her little legs had to be lift across

we had got to and came away with the picture to the right. Once I had

parts of the path as she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite jump it. Oscar (the dog) was not

spent a few minutes capturing a few shots we turned around and made

fussed by the mud and water in the slightest, in fact he quite enjoyed

our way back down the track that we had come up.

it. Stopping for little dips and coming out for a fierce shake resulting

To Watendlath and Back Again

“Oscar (the dog) was not fussed by the mud and water in the slightest, in fact he quite enjoyed it.”

To Watendlath and Back Again

As we made our way back down to Watendlath tarn for another tea

So after I finished snapping and Oscar finished swimming we headed

break, the gloomy grey clouds started heading our way. Thankfully

back to the tea house for our refreshment break. The walk back to

the rain held off and the sun came shining through. I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resist

the car was a ver y gentle one alongside Watendlath Beck. Once we

stopping off to take pictures as we strolled around the edge of the

returned to the cars we spent a little time at Surprise View before

lake. Oscar wanted to join the ducks in the lake and took a plunge and

setting off to the cottages.

went swimming. Sadly the ducks didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hang around to play with him.

To Watendlath and Back Again

Up and Over Wansfell Pike

UP AND OVER WANSFELL PIKE

With the Costin’s staying in a lovely little cottage in

toilet stop we were ready to rumble, or even ramble?

Ambleside we looked for a nice walk that was close

It seemed that this was a ver y popular walk this

by and didn’t require us driving anyway. With Nick

day as we were a few amongst many doing it! We

being a navigational guru we set our sights on a trek

started off with a nice little walk along the side of

up to the top of Wansfell Pike. Wansfell actually

a stream in a little wooded area around the back of

has two tops, the highest known as Baystones and

Ambleside. Once we broke out of the woods the real

Wansfell Pike being only 6 metre’s lower. Although

walking began. There were no detours or winding

Wansfell Pike is regarded as the “true” summit of

paths, we just headed straight up the side of the

the fell by many ramblers because it holds such

mountain making the 1,581 ft ascent. It was steep

an amazing view (as you will see when you read

to say the least. But once we got a bit of momentum

on!). Ever y year between Christmas and New Year

going we were near the top before we knew it. Oscar

a group of mad people compete in a running race

was passed around to anyone who was struggling

across the top of the fell.

as he was pulling whoever was holding him up the

As we were starting off in Ambleside we popped

side. He’s a rather strong dog for his size if I do say

into the shops to get some lunch to eat on top of

so. The sun was shining and the bright blue sky was

the fell. After getting some food and having a quick

out. It made for a beautiful background.

Up and Over Wansfell Pike

Once we got to the top I was absolutely blown away

sun and took a seat on the ground and amongst the

by the spectacular view the surrounded me. It was

rocks to have a bite to eat. Once we had all finished

360˚s of sheer beauty. Behind us was Ambleside

eating and Oscar had a bit of his drink we were

and in front of us was the lengthy blue body of Lake

ready to go again and make the descent down to

Windermere. It was the perfect place to gather our

Troutbeck. I was particularly looking for ward to

breath and get some more energy flowing through

reaching Troutbeck as I knew that we had arranged

our bodies in the form of food. Once again we

to pop into The Mortal Man Inn for another little

were just a few of many people on top of the fell.

drink break. There is nothing like sinking a nice

So although it was slightly cold we lapped up the

cold beer after a bit of a mountain climb!

“There is nothing like sinking a nice cold beer after a bit of a mountain climb!”

Up and Over Wansfell Pike

On arrival in Troutbeck the eyes were searching for the

in. The setting could not have been any more perfect. I

Mortal Man Inn. Once we clocked it we were straight

literally could have stayed there for the rest of the day.

into the beer garden. The coats were off, the bags were

As you can see above, Nick made the most of the rest

thrown to the floor and we all got comfy while the sun

and got comfy on the wall. After we had all finished our

beamed down over us. After a bit of rest, Dad and Nick

drinks we were back on course for Ambleside where a

finally decided to go into the pub and get the drinks

nice warm fire was waiting for us.

Up and Over Wansfell Pike

A Climb To Stickle Tarn

A climb to stickle tarn The main aim of this walk was to reach Stickle Tarn

at around 10.00am giving us plenty of time to get

at the top of Stickle Ghyll. Luckily on this trip we

up to the tarn and back down again. The walk to

were staying in Chapel Stile just down the road

the start of the Stickle Tarn walk was a fairly easy

so we could simply walk from our homes to the

one on the feet, being nice and flat with no hills to

Ghyll and begin the climb. The tarn is set in a large

shuffle over. Just a gentle stroll alongside the Great

corrie . It is situated below the Langdale Pikes peaks

Langdale Beck. Oscar was most intrigued by the

Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark, hanging above the

ducks swimming along beside us.

Great Langdale valley. Its size was expanded by

Once we reached The Stickle Barn at the bottom

the building of a stone dam in 1838. The dam was

of the walk we put on Oscars newly bought walking

built to provide water for the gunpowder works at

boots. Yes thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, doggy walking boots. These

Elter water and the mill at Millbeck.

were to protect the pads on the bottom of his paws

Sadly my parents fell quite ill on this particular

as they were getting shredded and sore due to

trip and my mum opted to stay at home and get

the ground. Once Oscar was all sorted we headed

some rest but after having a couple of days rest dad

onwards.

braved it and decided to join us. We began the walk

1 - A terrain feature created by glaciation in high mountains.

A Climb To Stickle Tarn

To the left you can see Oscar looking ver y stylish in

the choice to stop off when we reached half way

his doggy walking boots that I talked about earlier.

and head back down the path with Oscar to take

Matching his red collar of course. The start of the

shelter at The Stickle Barn pub. It seemed like a

climb was fairly gradual and wasn’t to much work

wise choice as the winds began to pick up as we

for the body pump. But that soon changed as the

got higher and higher. So once we reached roughly

gradient of the path increased and legs were lifted

half way myself, my dad and Nick and Glen carried

higher and pushed harder. Jackets were coming

onwards and upwards to the tarn while Katie and

off and on as the temperature changed and bodies

Georgia went back down.

“as the gradient of the path increased and legs were lifted higher and pushed harder.”

started getting a bit hotter. Katie and Georgia made

A Climb To Stickle Tarn

The weather at the top was rather grim and dismal

blowing in my ears. But it felt like a little hidden

but ever y now and again the sun would break through

gem up in the mountains, the perfect place to just

the clouds and shine on spots of the mountains

relax and forget about ever ything. Sadly the grey

in front of us (as seen on the previous page). Not

clouds made for some boring and lifeless pictures

knowing what to really expect at the top I was quite

of the tarn which I was slightly disappointed about.

amazed at the sight of the huge tarn that was so

So after standing in awe for a while the decision

calm and peaceful. Apart from the howling of wind

was made to head back down and meet the girls.

A Climb To Stickle Tarn

The scramble back down to the bottom got a bit

The walk back took a pretty similar route to the one

tense at times with both the strong wind blowing

we began on. As we got near the end we had to pass

and a few slipper y rocks. Of course we made sure

through a farm. The land of the farm was usually

we took extra care. Luckily as we got lower the

used for campers but business seemed a bit during

winds died down a bit and things got easier. Once

this particular week. Passing through the farm we

we got to the bottom we found Katie, Georgia and

had to walk through a field that was filled with

Oscar cosied up in The Stickle Barn in by the fire.

about 20 odd cows. Myself not being a fan of cows

We were all pretty hungr y so decided to grab a

was not to keen on the idea. But unless I wanted to

quick bite to eat while we warmed up ready to begin

go all the way back it was the only way home. Oscar

walking again. The food was absolutely delicious

seemed to enjoy them though as they all came over

and certainly gave me the fuel I needed to carr y on

to see him. One particular cow stood out from the

walking. Thank god for elastic waistband trousers!

rest, the ginger one you can see on the left.

A Climb To Stickle Tarn

A SUNRISE TO SEE US OFF 76

A Sunrise To See Us Off

Sadly to ever y journey or adventure there comes an end. But it is

was completely filled with various shades of red, orange and yellow.

always nice to know that I can go back to the Lake District whenever

This reflected down onto the hills where a mist had risen. This was

I get some free time. But this time the Lake District saw us off with

a picture opportunity that I refused to missed. I demanded that dad

one hell of a goodbye. Myself and my parents got up nice and early

stopped in the nearest layby possible and I jump out of the car and

to head back home and avoid the half-term traffic. It was dark when

dived into the boot looking for my camera bag. The air was freezing

we left so it must have been pretty earlier! We packed our bags and

but this did not phase me. I set up my camera as quick as I could to

chucked ever ything into the car and set off. We needed to fill the car

not miss it. It was only around 15-20 minutes before it all disappeared.

up with diesel so made a pit stop at the garage. Little did I realize

Luckily for me I got all the photos I needed and wanted. My hands

how much the sky was changing, I think I was still half asleep. But

and body now frozen I chucked my camera bag back in the car and got

once we pulled away from the garage there was a break in the trees

back in my seat. And that back on the journey home we went.

and I saw one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. The sky 77

A Sunrise To See Us Off

THE AUTHOR

James Webber was born in England in 1989. He is a freelance Graphic Designer and Photographer, currently studying for a degree in Graphic Design at the Cambridge School of Art. He is also the founder of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Wolfpackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Being an ambitious thinker, James is looking to the future with great aspirations. After graduating from university he plans to start his own design studio in the area of the Lake District, the part of England he most loves.