Sun 23 Aug 2015
You can find an index to my other walks here
Mellbreak north ridge
We drove to the Kirkstile Inn near
Loweswater and set off up a stony lane with high hopes of tackling the
impossible–looking rocky scramble above the steep scree on Mellbreak. I
had made this ascent before in poor visibility on 22 July 2008 and apart from discomfort
on the since widened scree I didn’t foresee any problem this time in clear sunny
weather. But things have changed with my balance and confidence in the last
seven years, and I just couldn't make it. I felt I wasn't safe even before we
reached the rock gulley, as if I were going to fall over or slip down. So with
regret I told Andrew I couldn't do it and that he should carry on without me.
But he didn’t like our separating so early on the walk. I feel sorry for him as
he could have made the ascent with ease and enjoyed it.
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| Loweswater from slopes of Hen Comb |
We contoured round the fellside for some
way and then dropped down to the valley track. We then turned off up the steep path
to the saddle and made the tedious tramp to the summit from there. The views
were extensive, especially to the east, but they were slightly marred by haze.
 |
| On the north top |
Near the summit we were having lunch
just out of the blustery wind when a family complete with dogs appeared, having
used the route we had abandoned. There were two young boys around 9 or 10, and
we expected the appearance of their grandmother with her zimmer frame next! I
felt thoroughly miserable about my lack of confidence.
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| Andrew at the true top. Where is the cairn? |
After
lunch we trod joyfully the three quarter mile path over the depression along to the south
summit, which AW admits is the higher, but there is no decent cairn. Andrew performed
his customary Banzai ceremony, but the wind being really strong we headed back
to the path we had used for ascent and started down. The path was loose with a
dry sandy surface and sure enough I slipped and fell over, happily without
injury. Is this a timely warning to end the high walks altogether?
Grasmoor from Mellbreak
