Place Fell (2154') Sun 9 Jun 2019

You can find an index to my other walks here

I went with Andrew over Place Fell in the eastern Lakes above Ullswater, but I wish I hadn't: I found it thoroughly exhausting. The anti-erosion work on the steep southern ridge consists of steps a foot high, and with a rucksack, and my balance rather unsure, it really tested my legs. I should have stopped, sat down, and rested for a while.

As compensation, the views were great. The forecast had been for some showers from ten till twelve, but we had some blue sky, white clouds, and periods of sunshine.

There were literally dozens of runners on the fell, because of a special event. It's good to see people enjoying themselves but there was always someone just belting up behind and it was impossible to find a place to 'inspect the rocks' in privacy!

I was beginning to flag before we started down from Low Moss to the track by the lake.

Avoiding the rocky path by the stream bank and the waterfalls we trod lovely soft turf but it was very steep. That was the last straw for my knees, which were under constant strain. When I reached the path below, I could hardly stand, let alone walk. The thought of the next three miles on the stony track crossed by dozens of tree roots, and constant minor ascents and descents, was not a pleasant one.

We met many walking north, and some also overtook us going to Patterdale. We saw a couple where the man had severe cramp and couldn't walk at all. A few yards further along the track we met a gang of people who asked if we had sent an SOS. We told them of the couple we'd passed.
Eventually I asked Andrew to carry on and bring the car up the tarmac road near Side Farm so I didn't have that half mile to plod along. The timing proved excellent: he arrived at the gate only a minute before I did! He also had some milk and salted peanuts for me. Wonderful -very thoughtful indeed.
I was thankful not to be the one driving home. It had been a beautiful day weather-wise, and we had just walked Wainwright's favourite path, but I didn’t enjoy much of it.
There had not been any dangerous sections on the walk- I just hadn't had the  stamina required to climb 1700 ft and trek some six miles. Though I am much loathe to do so, I am definitely resolved to keep off the fells that require more effort than I can now summon, before I come a cropper on some hard rocks.
My thighs were rather stiff a day later !

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