17 October, 2016
Cumbria or, more specifically, the area known as the Lake District. The land of of fells and tarns. Inspiration to writers, artists and walkers alike.
Make like Wainwright and lose yourself within the wilderness of England's watery lands. Go barefoot, swim in mountain tarns, scramble where you've never scrambled before. The lakes are perfect for open-water swimming, though not for the faint of heart - nothing invigorates the soul quite like a dip in the icy cold depths. Walkers flock here in their thousands, escaping their city homes, ploughing through the Fells - and not quite all of them leave crisp packets behind and scare the sheep.
Summer is both the best and the worst time to come to the Lake District. It's busy, but the nights are long. The weather is better; without snow, you can tackle a sharp edge. Autumn and winter are for the brave traveller. Their reward? Seeing the Lakes at it's very best, vibrant with the colours of the season.
Your dog, your family, your best friend. Anyone adventurous soul who loves the outdoors is adventurous soul who is up for wild camping and swimming in waterfalls.
Walkers, a lot of walkers. And sheep.
Blencarthra itself is a beautiful mountain to walk on. The famous writer Wainwright recorded more routes of ascent for this mountain than any other. Thrill seekers shouldn't miss the chance to scramble. Striding Edge is perfect for beginners, offering excitement without the vertical rock face. For the experienced, try Sharp Edge.
The Lake District can be warm, but don't go expecting it to be. Prepare for the worst and take proper walking boots; you might not think you need them but 20 miles later your feet will thank you. An OS explorer map and the ability to read it will also come in very handy.
Take a car and make a road trip of it. Within the Lakes, there are some beautiful roads such as Hardknott Pass well worth a diversion. Country buses are also available.