Friday 19th - Sunday 21st June 2009 Ennerdale, Lake District

Justine hasn't quite confessed yet to having a bookshelf of Wainwright Books or a suitcase full of related memorabilia hidden under her bed, but what is true was that she was impressed by the scenery around Ennerdale whilst watching one of Julia Bradbury's 'Walks with Wainwright TV programs. So, having let my defenses down for a moment, or was it Justine's sophisticated persuasion techniques, pursued the request and as a consequence SHOT will be celebrating the longest weekend of the year in this part of the Lake District.

Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre is situated close to Ennerdale Youth Hostel and is run by Carol (climber and outdoor type) as a base for school groups undertaking a variety of outdoor pursuits. It also offers group accommodation for punters like us. It has a grand total of 40 beds (2x4,1x8,1x1 and 1x14) and we have sole use as 25 beds have been booked. There are the usual self catering facilities, drying room, lecture room and library of environmental books. Because of its remote location Low Gillerthwaite generates its own electricity and then relies on gas lighting later in the evening. Further details can be found on www.lgfc.org.uk.  Please bring a sleeping bag. The nearest pub at Ennerdale Bridge is a veryslow 7 mile drive away so bring sufficient refreshments.

At this time of year Ennerdale will be getting the maximum amount of evening daylight as it lies orientated towards the north west. When viewed from Angler's Crag on the south-west corner of Ennerdale Water, Ennerdale with its forest plantations has a distinctive Scottish appearance. Much work has been carried out in the last twenty years to soften the harsh straight outlines and the regimented ranks of conifers by selective felling and a replanting program of deciduous trees.

A super long horseshoe of wonderful mountains completely encircles this valley. Access to the southern side is much easier than that of the north. Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag. Great Gable, Kirk Fell, Pillar, Steeple and Haycock are the main mountain summits. Justine, will no doubt, be leading an expedition up the valley towards Black Sail Youth Hostel where she can continue on a pilgrimage to the place where Wainwright's ashes were scattered. Hay Stacks and the nearby Innominate Tarn were his favourite places in all of Lakeland. On a good day Hay Stacks with its central and relatively isolated position has a fantastic panoramic view. For the more adventurous Pillar Rock, a small peak below Pillar, has the rather interesting Slab and Notch scramble and the superb Shamrock Traverse mountain path contouring across the mountain sides. An equally and potentially very long day can also be made by crossing the Floutern Pass and listing Buttermere with its two pubs, or better still just going as far as the excellent Kirkstile lnn home brew pub in Loweswater.

Ennerdale lies in the North-West segment of the Lake District and is best approached via the A5086 from Wordsworth's home town of Cockermouth (also that of Fletcher Christian and Sir John Dalton).

Lamplugh or Ennerdale Bridge should be target points from where very minor roads lead to the parking area at Bowness Knott half way along Ennerdale Water. This is where the public road terminates and the track beyond has traffic restrictions. Visitors to Low Gillerthwaite are allowed access. Just over two mites beyond the car park and after the end of the lake the centre will be seen below the track on the right hand side. Continue forward for another 200 yards before you can turn around and drive down its access track. Do not go to the Youth Hostel. Parking is limited to about 10 vehicles. Once all the places have been occupied late arrivals must park at Bowness Knott. The best option for folk such as Julian is to dump gear at the centre and ask for a volunteer to shuttle back from Bowness Knott. Mobile phones do not work in the valley.

Please send the usual £5 deposit to Gustav to secure a bed or two.

    

---

Donna for more details.

This Page is designed and constructed by Mark Hows