" Lowe Alpine / Fishers Latrigg Walk "

Date & start time: Tuesday 29th March 2011, 1.40 pm start.

Location of Start : George Fisher's Shop, Keswick, Cumbria, Uk ( NY 266 232 )

Places visited : Keswick, Spoony Green Lane, Latrigg, Brundholme and back.

Walk details : 6.5 mls, 1400 ft of ascent, 3 hrs 15 mins including stops.

Highest point : Latrigg Fell 1,203ft - 368m .

Walked with : Lawrence, Andy, and members of staff of George Fishers.

Weather : Overcast but fine, poor visibility.

It's a work day again but this time I'm taking my outdoor gear in the car

for this afternoon Fishers have organised a training walk . . . not to learn to walk

but to learn all about Lowe Alpine Rucksacks that now feature on the first floor of the Keswick shop.

Inside half the team is getting ready for a walk . . . whilst the other half is setting the shop up ready for a new trading day.

Not the best day for sunshine as this morning's group had a walk in quite cool and slightly damp weather.

This is their photo call on Latrigg earlier in the day (photo courtesy of Paul Cheshire)

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Keep your fingers crossed that the weather will be a tad kinder as the rest of us embark on an afternoon of staff training.

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At the start of the new season the shop has had a slight re-organisation of its clothing layout. As a result the rucksacks have moved upstairs

and several members of staff who have less experience at fitting sacks would appreciate a few words of guidance.

Sounds like a good idea for a training session as Andy gets Lawrence from Lowe Alpine in to show us the ropes, or should I say, the straps.

We each select a pack and place our gear in them for the walk . . .	. . . are introduced to our other guest for the day Andy Cave (left)

[ Apart from being a world class climber and an Alpine mountain guide, Andy has a PhD and two award winning books to his name.

He also works part time for Lowe Alpine on design and testing and now offers his own Motivational Talks for conferences and meetings.]

A brief pause to make sure everyone is ready for the off . . . and to get a group photo of course.

Come on Andy . . . turn round and smile.

That's better . . . Oh now the rest have turned away !

Off through Keswick at the start of the walk, heading for our local summit on Latrigg Fell.

[ I wonder if any of the local shops would like to offer a small consideration for the free advertising in this photo !]

Through Fitz Park and up towards the old railway track at the top of the slope.

The main group follow the lower path while two of us go "off piste" for a look at the old rail track,

to to take advantage of a local shortcut and to catch this elevated photo of the group.

We'll follow a well worn track up the fell side to the summit of Latrigg

chatting as we go about Fishers shop, Lowe Alpine equipment, Andy Cave's exploits and life in general.

A poor day for visibility but it's dry for our walk.

The forecast was for afternoon rain showers but I think they came and went before lunchtime.

New season's lambs in the field next to the lane.

The numbers identify the lambs (and their mothers) for the farmer's benefit.

An A66 perspective . . .	. . . as the Spoony Green lane crosses the main road.

Striding out on the first of the bends, with our first elevated view of Keswick below us as we climb.

I take a few photos for the record . . . and it seems that Paul is keeping a bit of a log too !

Leaving the main track, which continues on to the Gale Road car park and Skiddaw Fell,

we take the zig-zags up towards the top of Latrigg.

Wide open views here of the North Western Fells would be improved with a bit more visibility.

The main viewpoint here is from the chair near the summit,

which gives views down on the wide vista of Keswick and Derwent Water.

Zooming in, the Keswick Launches are making interesting patterns on the lake

and Catbells, a popular mountain for many first time Lakes visitors, can just be seen through the mist.

At the summit, Lawrence and Andy lead specific discussions on the packs we have been trying out.

The packs here included the normal fell walking and day sacks and we learnt about fitting and the importance of back length in relation to choosing the right sacks. We compared padded and ventilated frames and looked at innovative buckles and other features.   For the running sacks there was discussion about lightness, comfort and stability.   For the climbing sacks, discussions about how the fabric strength and the frame shape are important in achieving a durable weight carrying pack without compromising comfort or mobility.   For the younger age group shape, fit and cost considerations came to the fore.   - - - o o o - - - It seems that one member of the morning group was so keen to learn more that they hitched a ride with our group . . . I'm glad I wasn't carrying that sack ! - - - o o o - - -

The afternoon continued with a walk down the eastern flank of the fell.

The weather was in two minds whether to improve or get cloudy again.

However, the former won and the sun came out again as we made our way down towards Brundholme.

A right turn before we reached the road kept us on this unmade path that took us through the woods overlooking the river valley.

The River Greta as the main riverside path rises to meet us.	The houses of Low Briery on the opposite side.

It was time to cross the A66 again, but this time our route was under not over.

The award winning concrete Greta Road Bridge . . .	. . . and an older stone bridge just downstream.

Spring is in the air here in Cumbria

and these "double daffodils" on the way up to Windebrow are in full bloom.

We must be nearing the end of the walk now.

Back into the more ornamental end of Fitz Park, and past this lovely flowering Cherry tree.

Flowers but no leaves which contrast beautifully with the quiet waters of the River Greta.

The new Wivell Bridge replacing the one lost in the 2005 floods.

Back through the alleyways of Keswick . . .	. . . to George Fishers once again.

Thanks for a great day out to Lawrence of Low Alpine	. . . and to Andy seen here with member of staff, Rob.

. . . and thanks also to George Fishers management for the training session and the time out.

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Please note: any opinions expressed within this report are purely personal

and do not necessarily reflect those of George Fisher Ltd or Lowe Alpine itself . . . but I hope they are sufficiently close to be accurate !

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Technical note: Pictures taken with my Canon G10 digital camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . photographic balance through carrying a well fitting rucksack from George Fisher !

Go to Top . . . © RmH.2011 . . . Email me here

Previous walk - 27th March 2011 Hen Comb and Friends

A previous time up here - 3rd November 2008 Latrigg from Calvert Trust

Next walk - 2nd April 2011 Rannerdale Knotts in the Sunshine