I Never Knew It Could Rain So Much!

Day 38 – Friday 1 May. With a late start already decided upon the previous evening, Mike and I got up late (7.45) to find a sunny, bright morning with Carol Kirkwood promising rain mid-morning until early evening. Realising our change of plan had been a bad decision (and that I should have peeped out of the window at 6 o’clock) we hurried our breakfast and set off to at least start in the dry.

We left our car at the Old Dungeon Ghyll and were taken up to Wrynose Pass by Robert and Margaret, where we set off at a brisk pace for Cold Pike (2259’). So far so good, but before we reached Crinkle Crags the rain started and it was on with waterproofs, balaclava, two pairs of gloves, the works! Despite the rain, we kept fairly clear conditions to the summit (the second Crinkle) at 2816’, and buoyed up by munching pork pies we continued the rocky, undulating traverse. Soon the cloud dropped lower and the rain got heavier. And heavier, and heavier, until it seemed to have reached proportions of a Biblical scale. What height is Mount Ararat, I wonder?

After the steep bouldery climb in almost nil visibility from the Three Tarns col we summited Bowfell (2960’), then took the path to Ore Gap. From here the route down to Angle Tarn resembled a river bed more than a path, and ribbons of white water rushed down the hillsides everywhere. A short re-ascent took in the last top of the day, Rossett Pike (2106’), before we headed down Rossett Gill – another river bed at this stage.

For the whole two mile walk along Mickleden the wind drove the rain into our faces, from where nothing could stop it running down inside our waterproofs, leaving us absolutely soaked to the skin. Once inside the Old Dungeon Ghyll we stripped off our waterproofs, ordered a pint and stood in front of the fire, steaming enough almost to form our own personal rainbows. There was one note of satisfaction though – we were still bang on schedule and with only the final day’s three fells to go, tomorrow WOULD be the last day.

Satisfied or not, I got a bit grumpy with Val (sorry!) when she wasn’t on time to pick me up from the Lodge to take me to the cottage which we had rented for the weekend with the Browns, Spencers and Taylors, but it’s difficult to be cheerful when you’re cold and wet through. And apologies to Roger Dugdale, who had to miss out on the day because of all the uncertainties the day before – but perhaps he wasn’t too disappointed at missing a 5-hour cold bath!

Photos: 1. Robert sets us off from Wrynose Pass; 2. Red Tarn, The Crinkles and Bowfell while the weather holds; 3. Cold Pike summit, Crinkles and Bowfell behind; 4. The top of Crinkle Crags with Bowfell in the background. No photos possible once the rain started!