Robinson and Hindscarth

Date:                     Thursday, 27th October 2011
Start/Finish:           Parking Area, Little Town
Distance:               7 miles
Time Taken:           5.5 hours
Companion(s):       HumperLumper (Rich) and Frankie, dibble (Catherine) and Lexi

Route Map:

The plan for today was to meet Rich, Frankie, Catherine & Lexi and complete a full circuit of the Derwent Fells taking in Robinson, Hindscarth, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor and Cat Bells.  However, as the day progressed the plan had to be changed.

First of all, Rich and Frankie had an early start to catch the train to Penrith and the journey wasn't easy for Rich, as Frankie didn't settle at all on the train.  In comparison, I had a good journey to Penrith and even managed to treat myself to a latte from the local Macdonalds whilst I waited for Rich and Frankie's train to pull in to the station.

Anyway, we met on time and headed off to our meet up point with Catherine and the start of our walk...................or did we!?!  Lol......no we didn't 'cos my sat nav decided to instruct me to take the turn off for the M6 South - arghhh!! - I knew where I wanted to go....why did I listen to the bloomin' thing.  My only defence can be that I was distracted by Frankie's beauty and company - lol, either that or Rich's moaning distracted me!!  Haha - basically, I had programmed that sat nav incorrectly and got it wrong and it then took us what seemed like forever to find an exit off the M6 and turn round and come back again - arghh - I should have known at this point that it was going to be an arduous day :-)

Well, we finally made it to our meet up point with Catherine and Lexi and, I have to admit that by now, Rich and I were dubious about whether or not we even wanted to start this walk.....the weather was lousy.....rain, clouds obscuring most of the fells, Frankie still whining, Rich still moaning - oops, sorry Rich! lol  - but, Catherine and Lexi were waiting for us and they were champing at the bit to get going :-)

Frankie and Lexi hadn't met before and we were a little unsure as to how they would get on, what with Lexi being rather more mature than Frankie.  However, as we set off, we were pleasantly surprised at the way they seemed to be comfortable in each other's company and our concerns dissipated as we realised that a good realtionship seemed to be developing!

Our walk began by leaving Little Town and heading for the steep ascent up High Snab Bank, where I took my first photo and a lot more photos ensued as we seemed to have a little bit of a cloud inversion going on (or is it?) lol...whatever you would describe it as, it was mint to view and experience :-)

Looking at the way ahead to Robinson....hmmm...I'm getting a little worried now!....

I felt a bit more comfortable looking back.....lol........

...but I couldn't resist the views all around...

Looking back down the path....

Arghhh - looking up to where I have to go......

....and over the sides....

Arghhh....and back up again........

Looking back again....I had managed to get this far.....:-)

But - OMG - how on earth do I manage this bit???......

Well....to be honest, I didn't do too badly (I hope!) until, on the third and final part of the difficult ascent, I momentarily lost my footing, slipping on the wet terrain, and consequently froze!  However, thanks to Rich and Catherine's help, they got me through this panic stricken moment and I made it to this well deserved rest spot.........thanks guys :-)

Heading on up to the summit of Robinson, the going got easier and we even stopped to take a phone call from a friend...........thanks for the excuse for a breather Dave! :-)

Finally, we are heading towards the summit of Robinson and enjoying the views all around.........

Trying to get Lexi and Frankie to pose for the all important photo of Frankie on the summit of his first Wainwright......

....and a few more shots of the incredible views....

....still trying to get that all important photo.........:-)

.....ah....now that's better Frankie :-)

And then we were on our way to Hindscarth....

...the way ahead...

Having been in brilliant sunshine on the way up to Hindscarth, the cloud now came down and enveloped us.........absolutley amazing feeling.....no wind, no rain, total peace....mint!  (Glad I wasn't on my own though!)

It was at this point that we decided that our best option was to abandon our plan to complete the intended full circuit and simply descend from Hindscarth.  Sounds simple, but I wasn't too sure about what I was going to face next.....hmmm.....

Well, basically, I wasn't very impressed at what I faced next.  This descent was a challenge and an adventure for me from start to finish! :-)

Looking across to our ascent route from ealier today.....

Still on our way down  (I really got stuck...and I mean stuck on one of these bits - thanks again guys for making me move!) ......

Oh how good it was to get back on level ground! :-)

But....looking back...I stood and looked in amazement to think that I managed the ascent of Robinson, the crossing to Hindscarth and then the descent down the crags and Scope End!

An absolutely amazing day in great company.....I couldn't have done it without you Richard and Catherine.....thank you so much :-)