Wild camps of 2022

Twenty twenty two draws to end,the year Covid finally caught up with me,never been so ill before.But i returned to the Far North of Sweden again and still had  25 wild camps, maybe one more before year end 

14 th Jan

The first camp was on the south side of Grisedale pike and saw me and my brother racing upwards to just pop out above the cloud on the summit,just as the sun started to set ..We met up with Matt Holland and camped up for the night....even got a little Aurora too the North

15 th Jan

Camp 2 was on Sail summit after a great walk around these Wainwrights,Matt left us at Crag hill as we carried on around,just pitching as the cold rain and wind hit 

11 th Feb

Camp 3 was with a lad from work whos just starting out forcast was a brief lull then big winds and lashing rain,i choose Great Yarlside summit and it proved a good spot again.Lakeland walling taking most of pasting form the gale force wind and heavy rain ....less said about the walk out in the morning tho ! ..wetter than an otters pocket 

25 th Feb

Seat Sandal summit was the next camp,bumping into "The Solo Summiteer" who had chosen it as a camp spot too, so after we had got pitched up and sorted we went over to eat our tea and have a chat 

5 th March

Camp 5 was over on Branstree summit and another small showing of the Aurora

19 th March 

Camp 6 was a very busy one,myself and Jamie met Andy Beavers and walked up with him,meeting Matt Holland again along the tops.Then Dave Mills ? met us at camp too....the Young lab Maggie came along too 

1 st April

Just back from Causey pike summit gave a nice spot for two shelters,we continued onwards the next day and finished at a nice spot just down from Maiden moor summit for camp 8

2 nd April

13 th May

A circuit to tidy up some North Eastern fells saw us camp near Lords Seat,a real struggle to find water that night 

28 th May

10 th June 

Another 2 night trip saw us do some Northern fells before ducking down to Bowsacle tarn to avoid the storm force winds,just beating the heavy rain to camp

A few peaks later the next day in 50-65 mph winds saw us nearly walk back to the car,till we found this sweet pitch next to the river..Maggie loved playing her new game....Find wool throw into wind and chase wool 

11 th June 

A planned meet up with some Trek-lighters didnt work in the end due to some shocking weather,but we got our route done and camped up near Standing crag,a very wet night but the walk out next morning wasnt too bad 

With Maggie in tow it was up to the Northern fells again,a cracking pitch in the end up above Floutern tarn,the next day after a big traverse of the ridge we did initially camp on Fleetwith pike summit 

Then some folk came and just pitched right next to us ! and then some more and as we packed to leave some more...never happened before ! Luckily we found a spot on the path down the nose ...so all was good again 

6 th August

27 th August 

Finally after a few yrs wait due to Covid a  return to the stunning Northern lands,above the Arctic circle line of Northern Sweden..Jamies first trip up here started off very wet but dried out later..this was our first camp (No 16) with views down towards Abisko where we had left the train 

28 th August

Camp 17 came after i made a shit navigationally error (well never navigated,if im honest ) we had to continue onto the Kungsleden path but we did find this pitch with a lovely blue loch to look out   Miesakjavri/Ahpparjavri

29 th August

Next day after a large river crossing we were back on route the day ended wet and camp spots were hard to find till we crossed the bridge at the North end of the Visttasvaggi valley,finding this nice spot just above the roaring river 

30 th August 

Camp 19 was a return to pitch below the stunning Nallu peak in the equally picturesque Nallu valley 

1 st Sept

Camp 20 was after a tough day after we had crossed the first two passes on the Jo-Jo trail,the first of these was a tough/sketchy route up.Then as we finished the 2nd pass we had to walk along way down the boulder strewn valley till we finally found a spot to camp..Goubirvaggi valley 

2 nd Sept

The last pass completed we camped up high in the Tarfala valley 

Sept 3rd 

Camp 22 i used a spot by the river i found 5 yrs ago on my first trip in these amazing lands,that night we had a fantastic Aurora showing...well this night was even better it just went on and on !

 It started at 9-30 pm,it was still not properly dark yet,we gave in at 2-30 am.The temp had been the warmest of the trip 18c in the valley but then by 8-30pm it was -4c then by 10 pm -6.4c where it stayed all night...as finishing nights for a trip go it could not be any better

12th Nov

Back to my home ground of the Lake District i had a camp out with Maggie,traversing the Crinkle crags and then camping just of Cold pike summit 

9th Dec

Camp 24 and 25 below,may be the last of the year.We had a great few days collecting new Wainwrights for Jamie...walked out past Skiddaw house to camp on the Knott summit,next day we walked over to Skiddaw and then had another good camp on Lonscale fell summit 

10 th Dec

So 25 camps over the year:

                                             Eight in the MLD Duomid XL

                                             Three in the MLD Duomid

                                             Five in the Tarptent Scarp 1

                                             Nine in my MLD Trailstar

So to those ive camped with,thanks for the company,those who fancy joining shout out sometime ....to all i know Best wishes and good health,work and position is nothing the bite of the cold,the burn of heat returning to fingers,the feel of a powerful wind,sound of rain on a tight shelter roof,the sound of soft snow sliding on shelter walls,the ache of tired muscles,the first brew at camp,warmth of the sun,a view after hours of clag,the look of love from a cannie friend...the years of memories of good dogs gone and present.....these are the things that make us   Plus the love of a good woman and your children 

Safe travels and easy miles   Peter

Back of Skiddaw & Skiddaw group,2 nights Dec 2022..Trailstar and Duomid XL

With a forcast and a promise of cold conditons and snow i was soon packing winter gear,for a trip to the Northern fells to complete some more new ticks for my brothers Wainwright round   (This is a very picture heavy post,fair warning)

 

Parking in Threlkeld big boots were pulled on and tightened and sacks were hoisted up onto backs,at the top of the road,near the phone mast this frozen copy of the gate shadow caught my eye

The Blease road was frozen solid and icy as pack straps settled into shoulders and views just kept on coming in the sun it was 3c minus that in the shaded sections 

Meals were two of my favorites, both from my favorite supplier Basecamp foods 😀 

These flapjacks are superb too,few different flavours too 

Skiddaw house,now sadly for sale ,looked secure and as solid as the frozen ground it stood on,the cold snap was making this part of the route much better as there was no wet or mud  

We followed the Cumbria Way path Northwards turning after the bridge,my plan to follow the flowing water up as high as possible,as luck would have it water was still flowing at 550m

The sun was sinking behind the Skiddaw massif at 3-30 pm,just as we got to the summit of the Knott,our camp area for the night,we met one lone hiker on the summit who came over for a chat,before heading off for his tea 

 

Shelters up and pegs pushed home into the frozen turf,the tiny meths burners were soon quietly purring away,bringing the very cold beck water up to a nice hot brew temperature 

Most of the evening we were in clag,so we opted to have a walk under the big moon,so pulling on warm gear we walked out to Great Sca fell.On the way there the views returned 

Turned out there was one lonely cloud just sat on the summit of the Knott,but as we returned it cleared away,we took a few night pics but the moon was just to bright 

Back at camp and back in my bag,i soon had a brew on and more water for my tea

The temp was -4c when we arrived but warmed in the cloud to -2c then dropped throught the night again,i guess,but was -3c by the time i checked again 

Dawn was rather muted,but came good at the end,the cold job of brushing of the very thick frost,put a tingle in the fingers

With all the gear packed away again it was time to cover some ground,we headed south too Great Calva and the great views it gives to the cold valleys below and the full length of the Northern side of the Skiddaw group 

Great Calva was Jamies next new peak with its great views into the cold long valley s behind Skiddaw

We could see a long deep inversion spreading out right through and over parts of the Lakes,this being the  Saturday morning 

The fell on the right being our planned next camp spot,Lonscale fell summit 

But first we had to sadly loose all our height and drop down to Dash falls before the long haul back up,ticking of Bakestall on route to Skiddaw summit  

The rime on the fence we followed up was quite impressive 

Some stunning cloud formations looking over Longside edge 

Skiddaw from the North

Derwent water looked still and cold as the clouds moved slowly around the Lakeland fells 

As we left Skiddaw and Little man behind the sun was already heading downwards a last bag drop at his wall,saw us desend downwards in the search for flowing water...once that was done it was a short stroll to the summit of Lonscale fell summit 

There was some lovely light around as the sun slowly sank down,the temperature following it down too 

By the time the sun had sunk the temp had already dropped too -4.6c the slight breeze making any chinks in the warm layers more apparant

Once id had a cuppa soup i wondered over to the top of the cliffes that loom above the Blease road and Cumbria way.I love the "Squeek" you get as you step on cold dry snow too.

Once on the edge looking down,the sound of the cold water running down the river made for an eerie noise as it drifted up towards me 

I warmed my hands up on my meal as it hydrated away,then buried it between my legs inside my bag,waiting for it to be ready...it was soon all gone !

Moonlight Blencathra around 9 pm 

It was a cold night with a little wind frost was much heavier than the night before and later when packing up it came off in spade loads it was so heavy 

As we planned to get a breakfast on the drive home,i had one of my favorite flapjacks to help start up my heating system

Sunday morning gave some good views but with out the sun,it made for cold fingers while taking pics

Although we didnt get a full orange glow on the hills,due to the inversion hiding the first of the suns appearance,it did light up the Skiddaw group nicely  

With the sun over the horizon we finished packing and headed down the steep path towards Glenderarerra beck,that carefully crossed we were soon back in the sun again 

As we got to the last carpark we reentered the inversion,it was cold and damp as we carefully desended the frozen and icy road,reaching the car the temp inside it was -7c 

Turned out to be a good two day route,sadly no new snow,the moon spoilt the night skies,but we had plenty of good views and some new Wainwright peaks for Jamies round ......Safe travels thanks for looking and Merry Christmas