A wintry May day

Long weekend in the Lake District

After enjoying a glorious Easter weekend in the Brecon Beacons we believed that spring has finally arrived. So we planned a long weekend in the Lake District. However the weather forecast was not great. Day temperatures were down to 10°C and we were facing some very chilly nights in the Lake District. In a tent!

View towards Keswick

To make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend we were planning to leave early on Friday morning and return home on Monday night.

Prepare for the cold

I was horrified to see that the forecast was only 1°C was for Friday night. The coldest night temperature that we have ever experienced in a tent was about 8°C. I have a two season sleeping bag, but the two seasons most probably are spring and summer in a warmer climate. So I always have to put a fleece blanket on top to keep warm and I also wear several layers in the tent. Sitting in the warm living room on Tuesday night Jacint was still optimistic:
-It will be cold and dry, great for walking, we`ll wrap up warm for the night and it will be fine.
So on Thursday night we packed scarf, hats, gloves, down jackets, fleeces and – to make sure that we survive the night in a tent – the duvet.

Keeping warm by the fire

At the campsite

Despite the cold, the campsite was surprisingly busy when we arrived on Friday. The early evening found us sitting by the camp fire cooking dinner, wearing down jackets and woolly hats. And then during the night – thanks for the duvet on top of the sleeping bags – we were not cold at all.

The trails

It was cold but sunny as we climbed Cat Bell on Saturday. From the peak many people were enjoying the fine views towards Derwent Water and Keswick. We followed the 16km circular trail with extensive views of Newlands Valley and then we had clear view towards the south to Scafell Pike and Great Gable.

Sunday was equally cold but the Coledale Horseshoe trail provided some fantastic views.

Final day

On Monday morning we packed up the tent and drove to Hartsop for a circular walk before driving home. It was sunny and almost warm as we climbed to the ridge. But soon the wind picked up and a sleet shower caught us on the ridge.
Dark clouds chased each other in the rest of the afternoon and we experienced further sleet showers but we were still able to enjoy some views as we climbed Thornthwaite Crag and then headed back to Hartsop.

The snow shower is coming

All in all it was a good weekend. Of course we would have preferred if it was a bit warmer, but the cold weather didn`t stop us enjoying the trails.