20/09/13 - Birthday Bagging Treat

Distance - 5.1 Miles
Wainwrights - 2 - Sour Howes and Sallows
Geocaches - 2
Walk Inspiration


Mrs Mappiman bought me a lovely weekend away for my 44th Birthday.  It came with an invitation for a two night stay in Grange over Sands - A place that Bill Bryson claims is one of the best places in the UK.  On check in at our B&B, we are warned not to go to either of the two pubs as they are full of weirdos.

Progress report tomorrow.

On the way up, we drop a student off at Knutsford City Limits so that she can make her way back to Manchester and then debate whether we are going to Lancashire or Cumbria.  Either way, its close enough to the lakes that I can get the two furthest south Wainwrights.  These may be the only two that I bag in 2013.

Stop off for the world's most expensive coffee (more than a pint - get a grip Costa) and the best homemade sandwiches in the world. 

As we come off the motorway, I ask if Sonia has brought a waterproof.  She says she doesn't need one as the weather forecast is for sunny spells and the met office are never wrong.

It starts raining.

Fortunately, there is a discount outdoor gear shop, so she manages to get goretexed up for £40.  Or 10 Costa Coffees.

Finally park up at midday at Troutbeck, getting one of the last parking spaces.

I think that if Sonia had seen the scale of the challenge ahead, she may have stayed in the car.  Fortunately, it is that steep that you have to look a long way up to see the summit.

So, over the bridge and quickly up hill at the Howe.  The views are starting to take shape, even if we are climbing two of the relative tiddlers.

Back where I belong

Its all very stiff climbing and over a couple of ladder stiles.  Cache 1 of the day comes at a rocky outcrop, where views of Windermere are just appearing.  Swap a couple of TBS over.  Sonia has a rest on a rock.

Probably getting slippers next year

It really is relentless, with lots of false tops.  Sonia meets these challenges with a certain degree of bonhomie.  At the least the sun comes out and gently warms the new jacket off.

Finally, we make it to Sour Howes. 

Mappiman The Redeemer

The final cache of the day is up here, so I leave Sonia with the last of the sandwiches whilst I go off hunting.  After a while, it is found.

Just where is number 3116?

Once grabbed, its apparent that we have gained the majority of the height for today.  With the sun out and extensive views all around, the walking could not be any more pleasant as we make out way to Sallows.

The summit is marked with the world's smallest cairn, which is something of an anti-climax.

Good Spot for my last Sarnie

A bit of wild walking down to Garburn Road.  This is a metalled track and makes for a fine descent.

Does this go to the pub?

No need to navigate, as long as we are going down, we are heading in the correct direction.  We are soon back at the car.

A quick investigation of Troutbeck is required.  We find what we need.

"A four Poster Bar, You Say?"

Might be the best pub we find this weekend

18 miles to get to chez Mappiman.  We drive through Windermere and then see a sign saying "great views and picnic area".  Decide to pull in to see if I can get a decent photo of the lake.  We are met with "Hawkeye Car Park Cameras" that have recorded our registration plate.  Minimum parking price is £1.80.

And the photo was rubbish.