Ski Club of Manchester Cumbria Weekend 2023, Loughrigg Fell Circuit — Saturday May 13th

Leader: David Miller

Reporter: Paul Prentice

Our day began with a drive from Glenridding campsite up over the mist-shrouded Kirkstone Pass & down to Ambleside carpark for the start of the first of Dave Miller's SCoM May weekend walks. As warned, the carpark was almost full, but Andrew was clearly visible as a marker for assembling & signing in.

After admiring Ruth's new triathlon bike (colour: lobster) we set off in a long train of 19 people through an already busy Ambleside & turned off at the church. There we encountered the first runners of a 47 mile ultra race coming in the opposite direction down the narrow lane, which provided extra interest along the way.

Away from the town we enjoyed the most beautiful low Lakeland scenery of farms & fields, and fresh spring flowers with bluebells & gorse in the warm sunshine. The unusual comfortable pace and more breaks to suit the larger number of walkers allowed the enjoyment of our surroundings, at least until a change of gear for the direct ascent of Loughrigg for our lunch stop. Steve's Eccles cakes were a nice surprise for newcomers and welcomed by all. Loughrigg is a popular spot with lovely views, with a stream of walkers & ultra-runners passing through.

We descended to Rydal Hall with its lovely garden & wild-garlic-carpeted woods, where some people stopped for tea & cake. Another fell race, the Fairfield Horseshoe, was finishing here, providing envious thoughts of lost youth & fitness for some of the SCoM party en route back to Ambleside.

Post-walk tea was enjoyed at the Apple Pie Cafe in Ambleside whose toasted bath buns were the best-ever teacake.

Thanks to Dave for planning & leading such a lovely walk.