The Cathedral Visit

12th March 2014

Did you know that there is a Cathedral in the heart of the Lake District?

No, nor did I until doing the research for today’s outing.  It is not marked on my OS 1:50k map, nor on the larger scale 1:25k map.  However, I chanced upon references to it being in the Little Langdale Valley.  Turning, as one does, to Uncle Google, I discovered plenty of photos of the cathedral, several relevant articles but precious few instructions about how to find it.  In the end, however, I had success and thus the Cathedral became a target for today.

First, though, we had to consider John’s Wainwright Count.  Target: Lingmoor Fell.  Not a particularly interesting hill itself but a very interesting approach and stunning views in all directions.

Fortunately, that forecast was a trifle awry.  Nonetheless, it was the sort of day that confirms that spring has at last arrived.  Daffodils, lambs, even a butterfly.  I am too old to speak for young men's fancies.

Rendezvous was the Blea Tarn car park and, following a now traditional (when supplier Mike is with us) Wabberthwaite sausage each, we set off round the west side of the tarn, admiring the stunning views over the still waters to the Langdale Pikes.  

An unusual view of Blea Tarn as seen today

Martin posed a question that would not have occurred to me.  Why is there a Monkey Puzzle tree growing on the fellside?  Not exactly its normal habitat.

On reaching the top of the pass, we struck off for Side Pike, a modest little hill that makes a big statement.  After a short sharp climb, we reached the summit.  Julia Bradbury was not there this time. Probably due to the absence of John PL (see BB1132 ).

Most aspects of Side Pike are precipitous so we returned by the way we had approached, dropping down to the path leading to the Big Squeeze.  Each time I come here, it seems less daunting and we all managed to fit through the Squeeze without too many problems. Not all at once of course!

Thereafter, the summit of Lingmoor Fell is reached by following the wall along a series of short climbs to false summits.  Not too taxing and Tony surprised to be allowed lunch shortly after midday.

Panorama from Side Pike

The descent continued in the same direction but on the other side of the wall.  Around here are many old derelict mining buildings but the most interesting structure is the wall itself.  Seemingly recently renovated, it resembles a miniature Great Wall of China!

The Great Wall of Lingmoor, looking south

On dropping down to Little Langdale, Tony insisted on showing everyone the initials of the ancestors of Pat (his wife) carved in the wall of what is now known as the Three Shires Inn.  More on this in BB1132.  Perhaps it was just a ruse to have a pint, knowing that there would not be time at the end of the day due to various participants having curtailing commitments.

..... his wife's ancestors' initials

Pints downed, we crossed the river and looked for the path to the Cathedral.  It is on National Trust land and there are stark warnings about "enter at own risk” etc but, as they expected, duly warned we pressed on through a short manmade tunnel to emerge into a large cavern.  The Cathedral.

It is a rather impressive relic of the quarrying industry that used to be so active in the locality.

It was definitely a fascinating addition to the outing.

On the return up the valley,we saw something that initially looked like a metal butts for target practice but on closer examination we saw they had engraved symmetrical geometrical patterns. Very strange.  Any ideas?

PS  Jamie returns to Crete tomorrow, not to rain and cold but unrelenting sunshine and temperatures over 20°C.  Spring has arrived in Greece, also.

Blimey, I did that!

Bryan was recently out with some rather more adventurous souls who tested even his limits.  The itinery was: Helvellyn (by Striding Edge); Dollywagon Tongue; Ruthwaite Cove; Nethermost Pike (by East ridge); Swirral Edge; Catsycam.  12 miles and 5,300ft.

He reports:   

I’d looked at doing Striding Edge in Winter a couple of times previously but always bottled it part way along. So when the chance to do it with four extremely experienced mountaineers was on offer it seemed like an ideal opportunity.

The weather was not good with low clag; rain, hail and snow; and winds forecast to strengthen through the day so I rather hoped it might be called off. It wasn’t.

There had been four or five inches of fresh snow and so their decision was NOT to use crampons – the rationale being that we were more likely to get into trouble with snow balling up on them.

Not a good start confidence-wise for me! I would have put mine on but, as the day wore on it became clear they were right. We did however all have stiff climbing boots on. Normal 'flexible' walking boots would have been problematic on some of the steeper ground.

Highlights (??) of the day were....

• down-climbing the chimney towards the end of Striding Edge and being advised that “there is a foothold – you’ll just have to trust it’s there under the snow”
• coming over the cornice at the top into a full on whiteout.
• impressive navigation to find the exit line from Dollywagon
• looking down a vertical snow filled gully and being told – “that’s where we’re going”!
• locating the exit from the top on to Swirral – just a nick in the snow cornice on to a seemingly vertical drop.
•  down-climbing this; facing into the slope using the axe for protection (this would have been an impossible route without an axe)

All in all an absolute epic. I was mentally tired at the end from the absolute concentration needed to stay safe. This was all unroped and without crampons!

Without the climbing I’ve done in the Alps etc; and time on the Climbing Wall; plus absolute confidence that these guys knew what they were doing; I would have struggled to do this route. In fact I probably wouldn't even have gone!

It was a proper mountaineering day rather than a hilI walk and I have to admit it was pretty much on my limit.

It was impressive to watch how confidently the other lads moved on this sort of terrain – never a hint of concern, just a normal winter outing to them.

For me it was one to look back on and think – blimey I did that!

Bryan, Sunday 23rd February 2014

For the visual experience of Bryan's adventure see more photos taken by:
Denis Mitchell and Andy Chadwick

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1409 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - see: Which Wainwright When?

For the latest totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) see: BB Log.

 Photos have been gleaned from many sources although mostly from me!
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