The Rossendale Rambler

I had done the walk on a number of previous occasions and twice before for the Rossendale Ramblers. Yet each time I led it, it was popular and people seemed to look forward to it as the time for it approached. This year was no exception and people were beginning to say to me that they were looking forward to doing Crinkle Crags again. On the last occasion, two years ago, the weather was magnificent and I shall never forget the look on the face of one man, who having adopted us for a mile or so, saw Karen and Frank do one of the more difficult line dancing routines at the top of Gunson's Knot, having just scrambled up 'Bad Step' - shortly thereafter he excused himself and made his own way forward!

I was expecting great things of the weather and all the forecasts in the preceding week looked favourable. Came the day before the walk and rain was forecast - belts of it coming in from the west from about mid-day onwards. We had certainly seen some rain overnight and I was somewhat deflated at the prospects for the day. The walk was on however, Karen had rung to say she would be at Guide and I had arranged to pick up both Frank and Richard so there was no escape. Both were in shorts, as was I, and their spirits were high when I picked them up. Obviously they had not listened to the forecast the night before, or had chosen to ignore it! My new Tonka Toy was gleaming in the morning light and suddenly my mood improved.

At the car park there were nine of us by eight o'clock and just as we had worked out the travel arrangements, Keith came screeching in at the last moment and all was re-arranged because someone had to pick up Karen. We ended up as eleven souls - a good turnout - even Sheila graced us with her presence at what she referred to as an unearthly hour; it has to be said she is not at her best first thing in the morning but thaws out a bit as the day progresses.

On the journey I had made up my mind that rather than climb Bow Fell after doing the Crinkles, we would do Pike of Blisco at the beginning, as neither I nor many of the others had done it before, certainly not from the Blea Tarn road. It would need careful scrutiny of the map but I had a good idea of what was involved and was really looking forward to the climb. As we parked up, having arrived at the ODG as a convoy, I outlined my plans and all approved. Gretchen unfortunately, was not feeling too well and she said she would have a sleep in the car and then make her way up 'The Band' and join us at Three Tarns.

At 9.45 a.m. we began walking from the car park and towards the path that left the road in a southerly direction and climbed sharply along the side of Redacre Gill. The path was good but became steadily steeper and steeper and by the time we breasted the flattish top of Wrynose Fell, we were well spread out. Dougie and Frank set off like rockets but Sheila, having got over her morning blues by 'moaning for England' passed all before her and it was all I could do to keep up. Keith, a fell runner of many years experience was also well to the fore. Richard was doing his Himalayan Rest-step and Karen brought up the rear, following Rosemary, Ian and Susan. At Wrynose Fell it was time for a rest and a brew and Frank, glowing merrily, took off his shirt and let it steam in the sun. We thought it might be fun to pretend to set off just as Karen joined us but as usual, she had a choice word for our attempt to get her going. At this point we were at 500 metres and we were beginning to savour the views of the surrounding peaks. There was still another 205 metres before our first peak but things were looking good. The climb to the top of Pike of Blisco was exhilarating and comprised a number of sharp rocky scrambles separated by grassy areas. We spread out again but on climbs like this, you have to go at your own pace and I was able to keep an eye on my 'flock' as I clambered up each little rocky step. Having got to what I thought was the top, I waved enthusiastically to those below. When I turned to the north-west however, there was the real peak of the Pike, resplendent with a magnificent cairn, still another 100 metres away. There I waited for the rest whilst enjoying the magnificent views of Langdale to the north and east, the whole of the Crinkles to the north-west and beyond to Bow Fell. To the south-east were the Coniston Range of which we were able to pick out Wetherlam, the Carrs and Wet Side Edge, Grey Friar and the tip of Dow Crag between the two. Coniston Old Man was not yet visible. As we gathered at the top, we marvelled at the sights and all agreed that the climb had been worth it. Karen told us a story about two penguins which will not be repeated here!

Then it was down a rocky descent toward Red Tarn, which was pleasant enough if you watched your footfall, and Keith and I were able to exchange a few words. We were so engrossed in conversation, we were at the bottom in no time and though some were in front of us, there were still a good few behind and somehow I had to maintain some kind of control between those behind and those still forging on ahead. I think Frank had eaten spinach for breakfast that morning and he and his nautical gait, together with Dougie, were fast disappearing into the middle-distance. Before setting off on the lengthy upward path towards the first Crinkle I shouted words of encouragement/abuse at Karen and then set off at a pace to try and catch the leaders to slow them down a little. Lunch was to be at around noon and I had hoped it might have been on the biggest Crinkle, Gunsons Knot, but I felt we were not going to make it for then. We still had plenty of time though and thoughts of doing Bow Fell as well, were beginning to occupy my mind. As I strove to catch up, I took in the surroundings: Great Knott, approaching on my right, with Cold Pike on my left. Neither of them of enormous height at around the 700 metre mark but both craggy and squat on their easterly aspect and between them, guiding the walker towards the first Crinkle; this culminating in Long Top at 859 metres. It was as the first little scramble started that I managed to catch Frank and Dougie and was able to tell them that we would be having lunch on Long Top;there we would be at around 12.30, it was almost as good a vantage point as Gunson's and a little bit higher too! It was however not quite as far to the north and some of Langdale remained hidden.

It was there however that the rations were broken out and as I assumed a perch on a lofty rock, I counted the walkers in as they arrived and then signalled a lengthy lunch stop. Frank got his shirt off again and sat and enjoyed the view. The sun was shining and all was well with the world. More jokes were told but this time I was the culprit. Susan dug deep in her rucksack and unearthed a slab of fruit cake which she had baked for the occasion. All that splendour and fruitcake too! My cup runneth over with joy abundant.

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