Scafell Pike & Helvellyn Weekend

Date: 16th to 18th July 2010 inc
Location: Gillside Campsite in Glennridding - very good
Weather:  Forecast pants, actual - not so pants but still very wet and windy.
Team: Allen, Kirsty, Martin, Rob, Paul and Moi
Camp set up:  3 tents & 3 cars
Plan of action:  Scafell on Saturday, Helvellyn on Sunday.

Kirsty and I set off Friday afternoon to set up camp and start cooking.  That was the plan anyway.  The food had been purchased, the car packed and off we went.
A stop was required (for toilet break and choc stock up), but we still made OK time (despite roadworks or rather, random cones), and arrived at Gillside around 5 ish.  We scouted around the site, chose our spot and set to work.

The 6 man tent was our first priority.  It took a bit of adjustment and movement, but eventually we got it where we wanted it.   Next was my 2 man tent - fairly quick to put up.  Then Rob's which popped up in seconds.

Gazebo and windbreaker were next on the list, chairs, BBQ a going and await arrival of the others. 
Martin had arrived just in time to sort out the gazebo and windbreaker which was perfect as difficult with just the 2 of us.

BBQ looked a bit wussy, but Rob arrived and poured fuel on it which then caused it to explode into life.
The gazebo and windbreaker worked well, though I didn't expect to have to sit wearing full on jeans and a fleece during July.

Dinner went well and we collapsed the gazebo and windbreaker to retire inside the tent.  The wind was picking up and none of us were sure that the gazebo etc would survive, or worse, we would if it can crashing through the tents.

The pack of cards were dealt and the game of cheat was explained.  An amazing start by Allen putting down 4 ten's, followed by Martin declaring 2 ten's.  After a few games, it was clear that Martin is a compulsive cheat and that Allen is a terrible cheat and just doesn't know how to tell the truth. 

A few hours later and we gave up for the night.
My first night in my own tent - sooooo exciting.  I was woken around 5am to sound of dripping.  I had not pulled my porch tight enough and the water was collecting on a seam and dripping in.  That was soon corrected and no further issues were discovered.  Over the weekend, my little tent (Lichfield Ute) was subjected to horrendous rain and wind and survived, so all in all a good and successful test.

7am and I woke to go to loo and shower block.  8am was the rendevous time for breakfast.  Rob cooked up 'big breakfast in a can' along with beans, kirsty sorted out bacon butties and tea.  All worked out well. 
We sorted out sandwiches and set out in cars to the base of Scafell.

The walk started out mostly good.  There was an initial steep climb near a waterfall.  The water was pounding due to the amount of rain had, and looked amazing, but as I was climbing I just couldn't look.  Allen did take a picture for me though as I clinged onto a rock for dear life.  I found the climb difficult though finding ways up is getting easier, dealing with the height and fear doesn't seem to be easing.

The walk meandered on and then we had to climb down a sheer face (sheer to me).  I had no idea how to even tackle it.  Allen talked me down guiding my feet and hands every move of the way.  There were tears - through fear.  I found it so difficult.  It was turning into an emotionally draining day.

I did get to the bottom of this section and realised there was no going back for me now.
The last hour of Scarfell Pike was tough.  We just never seemed to get to the top. The mist made it difficult to see where the top was.  We did eventually get to the trig point and there was a view momentarily.

I was hot and sweaty but it was raining on and off and I kept the coat on not knowing really which was the best solution.

The downwards bit took the more popular route.  I was tired and emotional.  I know I was slow, but I just couldn't force my legs to go any faster.  I was dreading Helvellyn the next day wondering if my legs would recover over night.

We didn't get back to the car til really late and I know the others were worried about getting food, but I just couldn't go any faster.  We got to the chippie in Keswick and Kirsty persuaded them to serve us.  I took my fleece off and my 'wicking' top was soaking with sweat.  I stank and felt gross and was starving so really enjoyed the fish and chips.
I was dropped off at the campsite to have a shower and get to bed while the others went down the pub.


Scafell Pike

Sunday Morning

I managed to force self out of my cosy sleeping bag in my cute tent, and was up and about for 8am.  Breakfast was served as the morning before then came the job of packing the tents away.  It had rained heavily during the night so everything was damp.  We packed the cars and left the campsite.

The cars were parked at the bottom of the hill.  The path went through the campsite.  I would like to stay there and just do Helvellyn one weekend.

It started to drizzle so I decided to try and manage without waterproofs.  Going back and forth to toilet block on campsite, my knees and legs ached, but as we started walking, they eased off again.  The first part of the walk was on road and up a steep hill though and that seemed to wear me out quickly.

Then it started to rain.

Helvellyn