Tag: England

The Scafell Pike Challenge

On By James HandlonIn Hiking Adventures5 Comments
Base Camp for Scafell Pike

A long while ago I decided upon a challenge that took several years to realise. The plan was a simple one, hike to the most remote area in the Cumbrian Mountains known as Great Moss, wild-camp out overnight, then in the morning have an attempt at the summit of England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike!

The theory was that by hiking in the day before and setting up camp at the foot of the mountain I would have dispensed with the long and tiring walk-in of around 7 miles and as an added bonus I would have spent a night camping in the wild in one of the most remote corners of England. Also to my advantage I figured would be the front row seat afforded me from my tent porch where I would be able to monitor the weather patterns swirling around the summit of Scafell Pike thus enabling me to make an informed decision whether or not to make  a dash for the summit on the day or cut my losses and head for home.

Continue reading “The Scafell Pike Challenge” →
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My ‘Lord of The Rings’ hike!

On By James HandlonIn Hiking AdventuresLeave a comment

The Route: Bowfell and Esk Pike | Distance: 17km | Time: 7.5 Hours
Height gain: 1,129m | Max Altitude: 897m | Start: Langdale Campsite
Finish: The Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel | Map: OS Explorer OL6 | Date: 07/02/2013

Langdale Route MapClick to enlarge route map

You don’t need to go to New Zealand to walk in a landscape full of myth and wilderness, oh no! Now this might shock and surprise some people and even sound a tad absurd, but you can get your Tolkien fix right here in the UK. Oh shut-up I hear you say, but wait, it’s really true, please let me explain. Continue reading “My ‘Lord of The Rings’ hike!” →

A Solo Winter Ascent of Blencathra

On By James HandlonIn Hiking AdventuresLeave a comment

The Route: Blencathra | Distance: 8km | Time: 3 Hours
Height gain: 699m | Max Altitude: 862m | Start: Scales Farm | Finish: back at Scales Farm
Map: OS Explorer OL6 | Date: 05/02/2013

As the day dawned on my birthday the snow began to fall. This was exactly what I had been praying for. I had travelled up from London two days prior together with my ice axe and micro spikes plus an array of other assorted winter garb all in the hope of striking it lucky with some winter conditions up in The Lakes this February. A regular visitor in the summer I had long dreamt of returning when the national park became transformed each year into a winter playground.

blencathra1 Continue reading “A Solo Winter Ascent of Blencathra” →

A statement of intent for 2012!

On By James HandlonIn Uncategorized2 Comments

It’s 2012 already, where an earth did 2011 evaporate to?

Last year I boldly lay down a ‘Statement of Intent’ for the year in a vain effort to force myself into attempting some outdoor activities way outside of my own personal comfort zone. In the main I managed to achieve all that I set out to do – see A statement of intent 2011 (update), in fact I enjoyed putting the challenges down in writing so much that I feel compelled to do it again this year.

So here it is the Statement of intent for 2012! Continue reading “A statement of intent for 2012!” →