60000 foot steps...in one day!

Up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, packed our bags and saddled up the pooch for a day in the hills. Fairfield and Red Screes was our aim for today. Already Ambleside was heaving at 10am and the pooch lovers were in force and all over Volki like a rash… After battling our way through the crowds and stocking up on more food we finally reached the foot of Fairfield 45 minutes after setting out.

Saturday, saw yet another gorgeous day in the Lakes, ideal for walking. The start of Fairfield is a steep climb up and for some reason I always forget about the first part until I’m standing at the foot of it… I think I mentally block that part out for good reasons.

The foot of the path zigzags up towards Nab Scar, with it being so steep the views are too tempting not to turn back and have a look. At the top of Nab Scar you can sit on a nice patch of grass and catch your breath while looking out over Lake Windermere, Grasmere and beyond …on a clear day you can see as far as your eyes will allow…

The heat was starting to pick up and it wasn’t even noon yet – I’d guess it was already 20+c, time to apply the sun cream. A few fusses for Volki from passing Ramblers later and we are on our way again, feeling hot and sweaty but in good spirits.

The next path leads you up to Heron Pike, looking down from here you already feel like you are miles away from civilisation. At the top of Heron Pike the route to Fairfield becomes obvious.

…Hunger is starting to kick in now, we decide to stop as soon as we reach Great Rigg. We had a few little friends keeping their eyes on us…

baby sheep. Very tame – and loved playing hide and seek 2 foot away from us :) Volki was too tired at this point to even notice him.

30 minutes later and a belly full of grub we tackle Fairfield… It looks worse than it actually is. 20 minutes is all it took for us to reach the summit.

I was surprised at how flat and large the summit is – many cairns and paths leading all over the place with uninterrupted breathtaking views of felltops in all directions.

One mountain down one to go… We can see Red Screes! We assess our water supply and have enough left to carry on up! Legs a little tired but we have come this far with the intention to complete both so we solider on.





We have climbed Red Screes many times before so there’s no avoiding the heart sinking feeling when you remind yourself how steep the climb up is. It might only be an extra 1.5 miles and 900 feet of ascent further but if felt like we had just started the walk all over again. The walk up the field to reach the diagonal path that leads to the summit always gets me!

10 minutes rest, water the pooch and we head off for the decent… all of a sudden I have a spring in my step and start skipping! A nice leisurely decent looking over towards Fairfield, down to Grasmere and out over Lake Windermere. The Kirkstone Inn Pub looks tiny from up here!

Early night, ready for the next leg of the journey… Mountain Biking over at Grizedale.