Wainwright Challenge: 17/214 Grisedale Pike

 

After finishing at Workington parkrun, I decided to nip up Grisedale Pike on my way home. Of course I was fully kitted out as its 790m of elevation to the summit. I had been part way up whilst videoing the Grisedale Grind in 2019 but hadn't made to the top (this seems to be a common theme!) so I knew the basic route up. It was a shock to get to the car park and discover it was closed! A lovely lady at the main Whinlatter visitor centre assured me that the footpath was still accessible and explained the route:

The trail is easy to follow as the Forestry Commission put in plenty of signs and maintain the access:

parkrun Tourism: Workington #19: 25/6/2022

Video at the bottom.

When I first attempted to complete all the Cumbrian parkruns, it was the two West coast ones that I didn't get to due to travel time. Due to all the lakes and fells you have to take a long way round and it took me well over an hour to get to Workington leisure centre to park my car. Signs then took me over the river Derwent to the start on the far side:

Being a long established parkrun (June 2013) there were was plenty of signage to show that you were in the right place:

Wainwright Challenge: 16/214 Baystones

 

On the 11th of June I was in Ambleside as I had taken part in the Lake District Challenge 10k around Loughrigg:

I decided to make the most of the included car parking to add another Wainwright to my list. This meant finishing what I had started a few years earlier when I had climbed Wansfell Pike and getting to Baystones which is just behind. My eldest joined me for a walk through Ambleside and up through the Stock Ghyll woods:

With Wansfell being one of the most popular fells the initial path way is well trodden and has been stepped. Its quite a slog up and my son's knee wasn't up to finishing it but luckily I fell in with a fellow solo hiker:

Wainwright Challenge: 14 & 15/214 Little & Great Mell Fells

 

As I was at the top of the county already for Talkin Tarn Country Park parkrun, I decided to add a couple of outlying Wainwrights: Little Mell Fell and Great Mell Fell. They are between Ullswater and the A66 and often only walked by folks trying to get the 214 set. I didn't do a great research job and missed the easy parking for Little Mell Fell and ended up much lower down than I needed to be. Undaunted I set off up the path to get to the 505m summit, when I saw the parking bay I so wished I had parked there and just had the almost straight up path:

parkrun Tourism: Talkin Tarn Country Park (Brampton) #18: 4/6/2022

 

On June the 4th, I headed up to Talkin Tarn Country Park outside of Brampton in the north of Cumbria. This was a bit of an adventure as I had only been up this way when visiting Hadrian's Wall. There was ample parking and a free parking permit for parkrunners. After over an hour of driving it was a relief to have plenty of decent loos too! I should have checked the parkrun's Facebook page to know that it was a special Jubilee event and they even had the Brampton town crier as starter and marshal:

The course is a two lapper and it starts inside the woodland. This made for quite a congested start as there was a large touring group from the NE. I had to walk for the first minute. My video of the run is here.

Wainwright Challenge: 10-13/214 Nethermost Pike to Raise (Helvellyn)

 

On the 28th May I had the excuse of filming another fell race to head up to Helvellyn. I chose the option of going on the bus to do a linear hike. This meant jumping off the 555 at Wythburn Church along the side of Thirlmere reservoir. 

For quick version nip to the bottom and play the YouTube video!

This is a less well known path which went through the forest before opening out onto the hillside with views of Thirlmere. I was glad of excuses to pause a take pics:

I wasn't in a hurry and it took me close to 2 hours to get to the summit of Nethermost Pike which was rather underwhelming despite being the 9th highest Wainwright at 890m:

Behind me was the iconic Helvellyn, which at 950m is the 3rd highest Wainwright, and the location I was intending to film. On my way to the summit I could see how many folks were taking the infamous Striding Edge route:

Wainwright Challenge: 8 & 9/214 Sale Fell and Ling Fell

 

On the 14th of May I headed up to Sale Fell to film the Netherhall AC Two Tops Fell race. The fell is close to Buttermere not far from the A66.

I kept going slowly up the hill side getting up higher with every race as the distances increased. The summit was reached just as the first seniors made it to the top and as I descended towards Ling Fell the runners were coming back up:

This was my video footage of the races:

As the runners had all passed me I could take my time going up Ling Fell. It was a hot day and it was pretty steep so I was glad to take it easy. The fell was very peaceful and I hardly saw anyone else.

parkrun Tourism: Fleetwood Promenade #17: 12/2/2022

It has been too long since I updated my blog so I am catching up! Back on the 12th of February I had an early start on a cold, wet day to get to Fleetwood Promenade parkrun. I wasn't sure I had found it at first as I was quite early and not many folks were around!

The course runs along the sea front and is there and back again along the path. As I was there on a wet day I didn't manage to take pics and my video ended up being rubbish... I may have to go back one sunny day!

With having only just got out of my ankle brace I was pleased with the time:

Fleetwood Promenade parkrun

12/02/2022

20

60

34:55

48.59%

The run was my NENDY and filled out that annoying gap on my parkrun map!

Wainwright Challenge: 7/214 Blake Fell

On Saturday I was over in Ennerdale to film the Blake Fell race. Of course I couldn't resist walking up to the very top to add number 7 to my Wainwright tally. I was following the race's return as the runners came down through the mist:

Once the last runner had passed I followed the directions on Komoot and a friend's tip of keeping the fence on my right:

Visibility was pretty poor and I only knew it was the top by the stone circle and the app:

parkrun Tourism: Blackpool - #16

 

As I was going down to Blackpool to video the Mid Lancs XC I decided to get up extra early and so the parkrun first. In fact I got to Stanley Park in time to catch an amazing sunrise:

I was made very welcome before we all set off along the B route (avian flu stopping normal lake laps):

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A post shared by Becky Willoughby (@lakessinglemum)

As it was a flat route I felt very comfortable and in fact had to slow down a few times as I hadn't planned on running a fast one! In the end I came in with an official finish time of 34:20 which was 4 minutes and 14 seconds faster than on New Year's Day... yes that course is hillier but it was a real sign that my fitness is improving. 2022 is now faster than 2021 for me at parkrun but its still my 2nd worst year (so far):

Wainwright Challenge: 6/214 Latrigg

On Saturday the 8th January I was in Keswick to film the Cumbria cross country championship. Afterwards, I made the most of my location to walk the 2 miles to the top of Latrigg. I just had to walk out of the park and keep going up:

When I reached the summit I was hit by a short hail storm as I enjoyed the views across Derwentwater. Skiddaw was hiding behind the clouds.

I may not have had the best weather for my hike but I was very happy to have started my campaign off. Only 208 more to go!

Wainwright Challenge: Orrest Head

 

As Alfred Wainwright was inspired to hike the Lakeland Fells by a hike up Orrest Head in Windermere I thought I ought to follow in his footsteps before adding to my tally. I had to pop to Windermere to collect something so dragged my teen with me for the 2 mile walk. 

Typically it began tipping down as soon as we parked the car but it didn't stop us. Luckily most of the damage from Storm Arwen had been cleared so we could get to the top:

@lakessinglemum Not the best view from Orrest Head today #OrrestHead #Windermere #Cumbria #LakeDistrict ♬ Misty Mountains - Richard Armitage & The Dwarf Cast

Kicking off 2022

 

Having neglected my blog for most of 2021, too much TikTok, its time to kick start it again! At some point I will have to update the highlights of last year. But meantime I am starting 2022 as I mean to go on:

I headed to Fell Foot park for a 9 am parkrun to start the year right. Then I joined in the official New Year's Day swim (it was a refreshing 5C!). 

No resolutions for me this year I am just challenging myself to do things that will help my physical and mental health:

First up is RED January 2022 to make sure I do something active every day. With my running I am looking at chipping away at the time I set at Fell Foot this morning (coming back from injury). Finally its about time I increased my tally of Wainwrights from a pathetic 5 to get more of the 214 ticked off.

To keep me accountable I have the colour in daily chart, the tick off map and I am using Conqueror challenges (10% off via link!) to reward myself. I will do a monthly update but keep an eye on my Facebook and Instagram to follow more closely.