Head To The Hills

Early on Tuesday we jumped on a bus heading to the Langdales.  And guess what? The sun disappeared and it rained, and rained, and rained all day, the wind picked up and the sky went grey. We forgot about the Needle and Gable, and just wanted to get out of the miserable weather. I felt robbed. Three days working in the sun, along comes my time off and so does the rain!  This wouldn’t have been too bad, if the same hadn’t happened the week before. After working the gloriously-sunny Bank Holiday, I went for a run up on Scandale and Red Screes, to be greeted by rain and cloud.  Anyway, we got to the Pod as the weather started to clear.

Now here is the advantage of the Pod: no tent to fight with in the wind and no soggy tent to take down and carry the next day. We jumped in and got the stove on whilst munching on biscuits bought from a shop further up the valley.  Although the Pod saves some weight, is it worth it? At £30 a night (for two adults and a child), some would argue that it’s a bit on the pricey side, especially considering the weight of many two-man tents on the market. But it was worth the experience and very welcome on this occasion!  

So the night came and went (bringing a paper-thin sleeping bag was a mistake and it was a good job I was wearing my Helly Hansen thermals!), and we were greeted with sunshine! We set off early, heading up Sca Fell Pike via Mickledore, with some nice scrambling on clean rock, and onto the summit. This gave us wonderful views of the Langdales, of the Wasdale valley and out to the sea. Back down into the Langdales, to the Stickle Tavern for a pie, and to Sue’s at the Millbeck for the night.  

After the best breakfast in the Lakes (cereal, porridge, toast, tea and a full English), we decided to make the most of the good weather and headed for home on foot. And yes... it rained for the rest of the day in true Lakeland style!

Mike and Marie April 2008

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