Walk Summary
From experience, this walk provides a great way to mitigate the impact of Christmas day excesses, the therapy involving an abundance of fresh air and exercise. As a bonus, there are also superb views throughout.
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Date: 26/12/2023
Length: 7.598 miles
Height Gain: 740 m
Terrain: Fell, Muddy tracks, stone tracks, Landrover tracks, lightly used roads (care required on the Kirkstone Road)
Navigation: The tracks are reasonably obvious
Start: Rydal Road Carpark (paid)
Route: Rydal Road Carpark, Kirkstone Road, Snarker Pike, Red Screes, Scandale Pass, High Sweden Bridge
Map: OL7 Lake District - South Eastern Area
Weather: Hazy sun, occasional mist and grey cloud.
Walkers: Nun, Kapitan and Cabin Boy
Captain's Log
Boxing Day
There had been a landslip that had temporarily closed the Kirkstone Pass, last Saturday. That wasn't surprising given the rain we've had for...well, the last year really. It's been a damp year. Yesterday was a washout too, although with it being Christmas Day, I managed to find alternative entertainment. Unfortunately, and perhaps predictably, the Kapitan and the Cabin Boy were feeling the after effects of yuletide overindulgence. I of course only drink to be sociable and had awoken as fresh as a spring daisy for today's walk.
I'd suggested to the platoon that we'd do a walk from the holiday let, up to the top of Red Screes, then make our way across the Scandale valley, before descending back to Ambleside via High Pike and Low Pike. The Kapitan and Cabin Boy gave me a rather despondent look that suggested that they'd rather saunter across the living room, stumble down the hallway and crawl back into bed.
Rainbow Herdy
Nab Scar And Heron Pike
Froswick
Hangover Cure
The Kirkstone Road is a great hangover cure, especially if you are walking up it. It is full of vigorous exercise that evaporates in perspiration any alcoholic excesses accumulated in the previous 24 hours. Although there was some sun, the day felt a little muted. Over in the west, mist clung to the tops of the Coniston and Langdale fells. In fact, there even seemed to be a rain cloud drifting down the Langdale valley.
We left the road and started following the track up Red Scree's south-north ridge. It soon became apparent that my platoon weren't in fighting condition. They lagged behind me by 100 yards or so, with the Cabin Boy showing diminishing enthusiasm. I waited for them to catch up and make some enquries about any issue. The Cabin Boy complained of being dehydrated. A symptom I found hard to believe given the sheer liquid volume of Prosecco that I'd seen her quaff yesterday evening. After she'd drank some water and I'd mopped her brow of perspiration with my hanky, she felt sufficiently recovered to proceed plodding upwards.
Red Screes
Flurries of snow started fluttering before us further up Red Scree's broad ridge. The menacing grey cloud that we'd earlier seen in the Langdale valley had mooched its way eastwards and now enveloped us. Fortunately it didn't rain or snow, but it did restrict our views of the surrounding fells.
The mist cleared though as we approached Red Scree's trig, revealing quite a collection of walkers. Red Screes is obviously a popular Boxing Day summit. A couple of walkers were attempting to get a picture of two small bottles that they'd positioned on to the top of the trig. I asked if they contained cough mixture. 'Yes, they are purely medicinal' the woman replied. Each of them then opened the bottle and gulped down its contents, without offering me any. 'Does your dog get a bottle?' I asked, since he had started to whine. 'No, he just gets a treat.'
Cough Mixture Photo
Middle Dodd And Brothers Water
Descent To Scandale Pass
Scandale Pass
We had our lunch on the leeward side of Red Scree's summit. It was already12:30. Given the Kapitan's and Cabin Boy's slow march this morning, I couldn't see them getting up to High Pike and Low Pike. I suggested that we limit the scope of today's mission and simply walk back to Ambleside down Scandale Pass. They both quickly agreed in unison.
Nearly all the mist had cleared now and we got great views over to the Fairfield range as we descended to the top of Scandale Pass. It didn't take long to get down. I looked longingly up at High Pike and Low Pike and thought about suggesting to the Kapitan and Cabin Boy that we might revert to our original plan. It was too late though, they'd already rushed ahead on to the path that descends into the Scandale valley. Whatever decision I might make, they'd already made theirs.
Scandale's Boggy Bit
Return
It was probably for the best that we didn't go over High Pike and Low Pike. A mid winter, late afternoon gloom was already permeating the day. The Scandale valley can be quite boggy at its upper end, where the beck has to be crossed, and I thought we might be in for some wet feet, but it turned out to be reasonably dry. The Cabin Boy had expressed her concerns about the cattle that frequent the valley, but they were obviously all back at their barn nursing hangovers, since not one was around today. It is a long walk down Scandale, but it is easy walking and has very pleasant. Even the Cabin Boy had increased her pace, probably due to the prospect of guzzling some wine once she got back to the house.
I'd certainly recommend Red Screes as a 'hangover' walk. It is long and hard enough to work out any excessive indulgencies from the previous evening.
Trail Out Of Dusky Scandale