Elter Skelter 5 November  -

Remember, remember the 5^th November – this day will stick in the memory due to some impressive highwire feats (not from us I hasten to add!).   

A nice day was promised, and did indeed live up to its promise, being sunny but blustery on the tops.  We grouped up above the attractive ‘holiday’ village of Elterwater whose Lakeland character remains despite only a quarter of houses now being occupied by locals, a far cry from the original inhabitants’ livelihood of quarrying and farming.

Eight of us set off up the bridleway towards Little Langdale where the graft started on the graded climb up to Lingmoor Fell where it was very gusty indeed.  We continued along the top with the occasional buffeting until Side Peak barred the way.  Down to the beauty spot of Blea Tarn for a draughty elevenses from where we could appreciate the autumnal hues of the valley, it is clear why this area is so popular with visitors to the Lakes.

An interesting path alongside a gushing watercourse led up to the Wrynose Pass road and after admiring Ting Mound moot (what exactly constituted a moot turned out to be a moot point), we parted with Linda who didn’t fancy the climb over to Tilberthwaite.  This was the most sustained climb of the walk (like a blooming Munro as Helen put it) but the effort paid off giving good views back over the Langdale Peaks and a birdseye view over the quarrying remains in the valley below. 

On the level for a short while passing interesting and authentic cottages, some in the care of the National Trust, we once again left a perfectly good bridleway for a final climb to Holme Fell.  A straightforward climb but it proved much more difficult to locate the highest point!

We fared better getting off the fell in just about the right spot.  At Hodge Close we had the amazing luck to be treated to the spectacle of barefoot high trapeze work on a trio of ropes rigged over the quarry by a visiting climbing club – very impressive indeed! 

There just remained three miles of bridleway back to Little Langdale and to regain our original track.  We made a final deviation via the Burlington Slate quarry which impressed us all with its vast scale – quite a surprise to walk through such a large and flourishing industrial site, so cleverly screened.  A final stroll along the river in the gathering dusk to finish a great day out in the Langdales.  Thanks to everyone for their company.