A Latrigg Loop
My first time on a Lakes summit for three years
Three years ago, I stood on top of Helm Crag, taking in the views of Grasmere and not realising this would be the last time I’d stand at a Lake District summit for three years. There’d be plenty of other summits in Spain, Eryri/Snowdonia, the Peaks and others in that time, and even a circuit of Ullswater last year but through accident rather than design that was my last time up high in the Lakes.
I’d had some big plans for this trip. I’d polish off the Langdale Half Marathon on the Saturday, have a recovery day on Sunday, then from my base in Keswick I’d cross off a bunch of Wainwright summits. I could cross Blencathra off my list, maybe make another visit to Skiddaw, maybe target High Spy or High Seat, all the possibilities were there.
Well, I did the half marathon, and then had a very restful Sunday as Storm Ashley was passing over us, making it hard enough to walk on the streets of Keswick that going anywhere even slightly exposed wasn’t advised. The wind was loud and strong enough at the windows of my second-floor flat to make it a day for looking at the mountains from a distance, watching them brood in darkness as they slipped in and out of the passing clouds.
Unfortunately, after a day of rest, I didn’t wake up on Monday morning bursting with energy and…
