Triple Spine Lakeland Challenge (The Bog Hop) - 25/08/2015

Today was day 3 of the Triple Spine Lakeland Challenge aptly named Grasmere to Keswick - The Bog Hop. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take part in the first 2 days challenges. I will make an effort to do those next time. It was a very early start for me, needing to get up at 4.30am to get to Grasmere for 7.30am. Two of our group were already there when I arrived and we just needed to wait for the other 3 to arrive. After a couple of our group fuelled up with breakfast we were all ready to go.

We set off from Grasmere and made a steady ascent up to Silver How, our first Wainwright of the day.

Considering how early in the morning it was, the sun was already proving to be quite strong and after a short while the layers had to come off. As we made our way from Silver How towards Blea Rigg we started to get a good view of The Langdales which is my favourite place in The Lake District.

Looking towards Pavey Ark and Jack's Rake

After stopping for a short while to take pictures it was time to move on to our third summit, Sergeant Man. Between Blea Rigg and Sergeant Man, you get cracking views of Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark and the best scramble in The Lakes, Jack's Rake. I've only done it once but it looked so inviting on such a beautiful day, but hey we had a lot of miles to cover so not one for doing today.

Shortly after Sergeant Man, we headed slightly North towards High Raise where we stopped for a bite to eat in the shelter.

The summit shelter on High Raise

After having a good rest we carried on along Greenup Edge towards Ullscarf, our fifth Wainwright. After this point near Blea Tarn is where the walk started to fit with the title (The Bog Hop.) All I can say is that I was so glad I gave my boots a good treatment the day before as we were literally hopping from place to place trying to avoid the worst parts which proved difficult. It was certainly entertaining watching everyone jumping around.

After the battle with the bog, it was time to move on to High Tove for another well-earned rest and a sandwich or two then a bit more bog up to the trig point on High Seat.

We've been very lucky today with the weather and great views all round. The heather is looking gorgeous now too in all its purple glory.

After High Seat, it was time to move to our final two Wainwrights of the day, Bleaberry Fell and Walla Crag.

Great views of Keswick and Derwentwater from up near Walla Crag

Arrived back at Keswick at 6pm. Now time to head to the best chippy in The Lakes for tea before getting the bus back to Grasmere :-)

18 miles and 4000 feet of ascent