Warnings of ice on the roads in to the western valleys so we hiked from Seascale on public paths around West Cumbria livestock farms, in and out of the Lake District National Park. Another training hike building up for more major hikes. We loaded my rucksack up to 9.5 kg with 24 m. of climbing ropes, as well as my DSLR, snack, thermos, torch and the usual emergency kit. And kept the pace up.
Nowhere in Cumbria is flat and the weight’s OK once the rucksack is on the back but it’s surprising how hiking lots of the little hills around Gosford and Seascale adds up the altitude. We reckon this route was more than 250 m. cumulative altitude - thanks to Samuel for the route planning.
Gosforth Cross, of the Viking age, carved with representations of the Doom of the Gods, including Ragnorök and Christians
Ponsonby Tarn
