English Lakes 2011 Holiday

GETTING OUT RETURNS FROM MORE LAKELAND ADVENTURES
Sunday 5th to Thursday 9th June 2011
Rain featured a bit more on this visit to the Lakes than on previous three group holidays. This didn't however spoil the enjoyment, it just required a re-think for the high-level walk on Helvellyn, which probably was the only slight disappointment. Walking to a height of 3,000 feet plus through pulses of, at times, heavy rain would have provided very little reward and no views from the summit owing to obscuring low cloud base. Because the weather hadn't been particularly wet, either immediately before or during our stay, the waterfall walk at Ullswater probably wouldn't have been that dramatic. A new and somewhat unplanned 6mile route near Elterwater served as an especially enjoyable substitute for the last day. So the order of events was…….
Monday, 6th June WASDALE WALK Now this was a dry and largely sunny affair with just the right amount of cooling breeze to prevent us from overheating on the uphill sections. The Wasdale Head Inn provided welcome refreshments at the half way point of the route. It was also the first time the Wasdale Valley had been on the itinerary. Scafell, Great Gable, Lingmell, Kirk Fell and Yewbarrow are all intimate neighbours of this valley and so gave it a dramatic appeal as we journeyed along its length.
Tuesday, 7th June AROUND LOUGHRIGG Located between Elterwater and Rydal, this modest fell and much underestimated, has a special charm of its own. It may lack the drama and height of its taller cousins but it provides a most picturesque terrace around its lower section. With every turning corner there is a fabulous surprise view. The weather started wet but the rain soon fragmented into showers allowing the warm sunshine to lift the cloud base and provide great vistas across the fells' tarn. Once again a tea shop strategically situated near the walks conclusion was very welcome.
Wednesday, 8th June ELTERWATER This was a wet weather alternative to the Helvellyn walk, which has been shelved until the 2012 return to Borrowdale. An interesting and varied route passing by rivers and forces, through valleys and woodlands with beautiful views of neighbouring peaks and a special one of the Langdale Pikes near the conclusion of the walk and…you have guessed it, yet another well-placed refreshment stop.
Although rain did inhibit walking the high level route, all walks finished in sunshine.

We say goodbye to Lynne and Daniel, managers of Seatoller Guest House for the past eight years. We thank you both for all the huge effort for making our stays with you so comfortable, cosy and well-fed. We wish you well in whatever new venture you decide to undertake whilst looking forward to meeting new staff next year when Getting Out returns on Sunday, 27th May 2012. If however you are really wanting to get back to the lakes before then, as one lady expressed "it's like a magnet" and that sums it up for me too. The good news is you may not have to wait until 2012, Getting Out is planning to feature another holiday in the Lakes near the Langdale valley in November 2011! This package will give emphasis to low and mid-level routes. Please contact Getting Out by email alanre@ntlworld.com or 01473 716122 if you have interest in this NEW Lakeland adventure.
Finally, I would just like to express my thanks to the other 14 fell-walkers who took part in this years holiday. I did feel very privileged to be with such a great group of fun-loving, easy-going people. You made my task an easy one.

Alan
For Getting Out
14th June 2011