Robin Hood's Bay and Hayburn Wyke

Weekend, 17-18 June 2017

First (and only?) heatwave of 2017. We haven't been out camping for months and we have never camped near the coast before as we have always been opting for the mountains. Magda has just finished her forty-day long course of intravenous antibiotics and would do with a break. The decision had been made rather quickly and after packing the car for camping we set off on Saturday afternoon to one of the campsites near Robin Hood's Bay. I didn't think booking would be necessary but when we reached Hooks House Farm campsite we were told the campsite was full! Apparently, hot weather brings lots of people to the seaside. Who would have thought of that? Luckily enough just after a few minutes of waiting it turned out that somebody was leaving the campsite as he didn't like it. Knowing that all other campsites would most likely be also full we took the last spot.

The campsite was busy but now I know that this should be expected if it's not raining and it's hot in the UK.

We spent an evening cooking, drinking and looking towards Robin Hood's Bay. We have been here a number of times before but this time we had an opportunity to see the sunrise. I think that we had to get up around 3 am as we were so close to the summer solstice and days were so long.

Half asleep we quickly walked through the deserted village and reached the beach just in time. It was worth it!

We tried to get some sleep after coming back to the tent but this turned out to be impossible. Burning sun and hot air is quite a good combination at kicking you out of a tent.

As for Sunday, I wanted to go to Hayburn Wyke because we have never been there and I saw this spot whilst watching wild camping video on Haze Outdoors channel.

We left the car at the Hayburn Wyke Inn car park, had an early pint and set off to the stony beach. We wanted to get some suntan but we really had to watch ourselves to avoid getting burnt! Hiding in the shade provided by boulders was one option.

We didn't manage to find the camping spot from the clip but I think this was because we simply didn't walk far enough. At least we have a good reason to come back.

Walking - The Lake District Ski Club

Sunday, 30 April 2017

Until now I had no idea it was possible to ski in England. I don't ski myself but a couple of my friends do. In search of the place suitable for practising skiing in the UK before going to the Alps, they discovered The Lake District Ski Club. Despite no chance of seeing any snow at the end of April in England, we set off for a day trip to the Lake District to check the place out. After a couple of hours drive, we made it to the Helvellyn Hostel near Glenridding and started climbing up the path leading through the old lead mine.

The 360 metre button tow and a hut are located on the northern side of the 883m high fell named Raise that belongs to Helvellyn range.

Instead of following the path leading towards the Sticks Pass we turned straight towards the hut and shortly could see it in the distance.

To start with we walked along the tow to the summit of the Raise, planning to have a look at the hut later.

It was quite windy on the summit. Most of the tea from the flask got blown away.

We stopped outside the hut for some time. Off course we couldn't get inside because only club members have access but we still got a good idea what the place is like and if it would be worth joining the club.

We decided to come back to the youth hostel via a path from Sticks Pass.

At the car park, I was relieved to take my DonJoy brace off and it felt good to have completed the walk.

After a pint in Glenridding on the way back home, we popped into Fairfield Marine to look at the boats as my friends are equally interested in sailing as they are interested in skiing.

ViewRanger summary:
Height gain: 653m
Length: 8.2km
Duration: 04:27:06

Here is the link to the GPX file:
Walking Lake District Ski Centre.gpx

Walking - Alport Castles from Ladybower

Sunday, 23 April 2017

Alport Castles in Peak District at last. I saw the area before but only from a distance, Grindslow Knoll or eastern flanks of Kinder Scout to be more precise. A few months earlier I would be there for a scramble but given my knee problem, I had to resist the temptation.

We started the walk from the lay-by located a couple of hundred meters south of Fairholmes car park so not from usual Snake Pass side.

From there we walked past Fairholmes and turned west towards Lockerbrook Farm.

View towards Ladybower Reservoir

Before the main path started dropping down to Snake Road we turned right and started crossing Rowlee Pasture.

We picked this day for a walk because of good weather and we were rewarded with great views towards Kinder Scout plateau but also south (Win Hill) and north (Bleaklow).

View towards Kinder Scout Plateau from Rowlee Pastures

Once we got to the Castles, we spent a good amount of time wandering around and sitting on the edge of the cliff. There is a small bird hide overlooking the cliff. We did see some birds of prey but I wasn't able to recognise them so I couldn't make a note in the book.

The scrambling route goes across the Tower that sits below the Castles. The Tower might seem small from above but it looks like a good challenge from below.

Not being allowed to climb it we...walked around it.

And found a potentially good wild camping spot. It's probably too close to the farm though.

Climbing back to the top of the cliff along the old disintegrated stone wall was a good exercise, made more demanding because of the already strong spring sun.

Come on! Just a few more meters left to the top

I wanted to make a loop out of this walk so we headed east towards Hawden Reservoir rather than south i.e. where we came from.

I must say that long return route wore me off. Especially the tarmacked section on the side of Hawden and Derwent reservoirs. This was partly due to the fact that I was wearing my DonJoy brace again and straps on the back of my leg were causing chafing.

We covered 16km. Weather was great and we saw a beatle!

ViewRanger summary:
Height gain: 670m
Length: 16.7km
Duration: 06:06:49

Here is the link to the GPX file:
Walking Alport Castles.gpx