Lingmoor and Cathedral Cavern

First walk for our Easter week staying in Elterwater with friends.  The first time we've walked in the lakes with other people, so we're happy to do some similar walks from previous trips and to have more excuses to go to the pub!

Difficulty: 5

Walkers: Tim, Caroline, Grace (13), Evie (10), Poppy (7)

10:10, 0.0km 0h00 0m, Start (74)

13:47, 8.4km 3h36 596m, Lingmoor Fell (469, Wainwright)

17:24, 16.9km 7h13 713m, End (68)

Starting from our house in Elterwater, we headed south to Cathedral Cavern, before heading back up to Lingmoor Fell and Squeeze Rock.  Poppy started off wearing her new gaiters, tested last week on a 10 mile walk, but she fell over three times in a few minutes after her gaiters hitting each other.  I think she needs larger hips to get her legs further apart...

We went through the dark tunnel first, then climbed down and through in to the main cavern.

Slater Bridge, forecast was for the fog to lift by 9am, but no signs of going anywhere just yet.  Very light drizzle occasionally.

After crossing over the road at Little Langdale we stopped for lunch before we climbed enough to get in the clouds and lose the view.  We did pick up some cake at the farm just before turning up the fell, my flapjack was great.

Top of Lingmoor Fell.

On the way along the ridge we started to get views over to the Langdales and to Blea Tarn to our left.  Just enough to let you know what you were missing before it clouded over again, but steadily was becoming clearer.

Looking up towards Blea Tarn. 

We had tried not to hype up Squeeze Rock too much to our friends, but I suspect they could not help to be slightly disappointed.  Yes it's a tight fit, but it's not exactly very arduous or long...

Coming back along the Langdale Valley, the cloud was really clearing up, and was quite impressive blowing over the top of the Crinkle Crags.

Grace, who set the pace for much of the day.

Family heading down, now in sunshine!  Suddenly a trip to the pub on the way home sounded like quite a great idea, if only the younger and slower members of the party would cooperate and keep the pace up. 

Evidence of sheep in the Lake District. 

Super still water, and Grace unaware I was taking her picture. We finished off walking through Chapel Stile and back to Elterwater, with a pint at the Britannia Inn.

Lingmoor Fell in Bank Holiday drizzle

With the forecasst for rain most or all of the day, we picked a shorter lower walk from the house.  It was typical bank holiday weather, constant drizzle with occasional bouts of harder rain...

Difficulty: 4

Walkers: Tim, Caroline, Grace (12), Evie (9), Poppy (6 1/2)

10:21, 0.0km 0h00 0m, Start (93)

12:43, 6.3km 2h22 477m, Lingmoor Fell (469)

15:38, 12.9km 5h17 591m, End (98)

We set off from the house, with a short road section before heading across the valley.  Past a couple of great places for Pooh Sticks, and then along the path just below the trees.  Grace was navigating, and doing quite a good job - spotting an easier path up than the one I had mapped out.  Gaining some height we got to the older quarry workings, including a mine going into the side of the hillside.  We didn't dare to venture inside, but it wasn't gated off so probably would have been safe.

Further up the ridge we were definitely inside the clouds.  Still raining, but raincoats were still holding out well.

Finally at the top of Lingmoor Fell, with occasional view down to the Langdale valley, although the other side to Blea Tarn was completely covered.

And along the ridge, down towards Side Pike and to Squeeze Rock.  Thankfully no child carrier to fit through on this trip, and everyone fitted through - Evie and Poppy just fit facing the front, Gace, Caroline and I sideways.

We found a much more sensible path down than the previous trip, with Caroline leading the way.  Someway down we could finally see Blea Tarn.

And back along the side of the valley, before resuming our Pooh Sticks competition.

Blea Tarn and Squeeze Rock

For the final walk for this week we picked a fairly easy route, after hearing about the intriguing Squeeze Rock.

Difficulty: 2
Walkers: Tim, Caroline, Isabelle (9), Grace (7), Evie (4)
0.0km 0m, Start (209)
1.4km 255m, Lingmoor Fell (469)
4.7km 287m, End (202)
(around 5 hours total time)

We parked in the car park near the edge of Blea Tarn, then walked along the road north until we reached where the path went up the hill, just south of a stream.  From here to Lingmoor Fell, to Side Pike and back around.  I don't have a gps track of this walk, so the exact path we followed or the distances given might be a bit off.

Up the path from the road, fairly overcast conditions for setting off.

Evie, very proud of finding a tree to climb and a vantage point, demanded to have several photos taken. 

Climbing up to Lingmoor fell, looking back down to Blea Tarn.

Now just after Lingmoor Fell, the route down towards Side Pike

And finally to Squeeze Rock, which was as narrow as advertised.   

With the weather clearing up and the sun coming out, there were pretty stunning views in all directions.

Time for a refreshment stop.  Isabelle showing the approved technique of refuelling Poppy.

At this point we headed down, and Caroline made the mistake of following Evie - our resident mountain goat finding the most interesting path to her.

A final chance for a little piece of family harmony, although I seem to remember an argument breaking out over whose tree it was, and who was allowed to sit on which branch.