Eventful trip to the Lakes

I've been to the lake district and I nearly died 3 times!!! (I had to start sounding a bit dramatic!!)

Went to the Lakes on Sunday for a couple of nights camping and a trip up and down Scafell Pike.

'cept it didn't turn out that way. Just approaching Millom on the A525- only 20 miles from our destination we had a car crash- there was a straight road with a slight hill- coming over the top of this, there was a steepish downhill and a sharpish left hander into an s bend.

My mate (James) was driving a little quick for the situation (though not hammering it by any means) and having been on the road for 8 hours didn't spot the bend quickly- so he hit the brakes and locked the wheels. We got to the corner, hit the kerb on the other side and rose onto 2 wheels ( I thought we were gonna flip), bounced across the road and just missed a signpost.

Fortunately, no one was hurt- the car looks like a write off- 3 wheels were square and I'm sure the shocks have ended up in the engine!

Got recovered to a nearby pub and a cab (£60!!!) to a hotel (no tents after that trauma!) called the Scress. Had to hire a car next day, which seriously ate into our daylight window for the mountain. My mate Ollie gave up on the ascent- he and James ate a steak pie which was repeating on them a little), but James and I continued. At about 6:45, we got up to Lord's Rake- a gully that was a scramble, rather than a walk. I decided that was enough (knackered and a little frightened and it would have probably taken another hour to get the 100m through it), so we came back. We did this just in time, as the clouds started closing in. Did the foot of the mountain in the dark, so we got back just in time.

Then, yesterday morning, the Sat Nav in the hire car sent us up Hardknott pass- a really steep (30%) incline up a well twisty road over the Furness Fells. Got about 80% of the way up and got to a really steep zig zag that the car (a huge Vectra) wouldn't do- we had a small wall and a 50-60 ft drop behind us and the wheels kept slipping in the wet- I was well terrified. We turned back and went a different way!! I saw a few bikes coming down it (carefully)- and thought 'rather you than me!'.

So- a few hours of single track twisties later and we're on the motorways again (despite the Sat Nave trying to detour us onto more scary roads due to non-existant traffic)- much relieved and relaxed after 3 hours of tense driving!

2 people drove on the way back, so it was a little calmer and safer. All in all, an eventful (never a dull moment!) and scary few days, but I'm still glad we did it and the top of Scafell Pike has kept it's mystery for me for a little longer- it has turned into a 'to be continued'!

I'll add some pics once they're off the camera and I've sorted through them...

[timwilky]

Hardknott and Wrynose are fun on a bike. Especially when accidental wheelies happen.

The first time is always a bit worrying.

! I think after the first car incident we had, we were in no state to continue!!!

I've just done some searching on Lord's Rake and have decided that we really made the right decision in turning back! Looks rather unsafe currently..

sounds like you'll look back on this as a big adventure rather than a total nightmare.

But hooray for proper maps (and the ability to read them). why people 'rely' on satnavs is beyond me

[yorkie_chris]

The hardknott pass is excellent you girl

Try drive a mk2 escort over there in the snow, that's one to keep you on your toes

[punyXpress]

Did your car have traction control?
If it did, the chances are that when a wheel started slipping, it put that brake on, so another slips & so on until it stops dead. On snow & very slippery roads they are often more ornament than use!

First time I drove Hardknott Pass was in the fog and I got hit by a tractor. Never Again.

Originally Posted by punyXpress

Did your car have traction control?
If it did, the chances are that when a wheel started slipping, it put that brake on, so another slips & so on until it stops dead. On snow & very slippery roads they are often more ornament than use!

Not s far as we know- the wheels started skidding as soon as any effort was made to climb.

I also looked up Lord's Rake today. It is a very good job we avoided it.

http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/page47.htm

Originally Posted by CoolGirl

sounds like you'll look back on this as a big adventure rather than a total nightmare.

But hooray for proper maps (and the ability to read them). why people 'rely' on satnavs is beyond me

yeah- we learned what we need to do when we return there-

Take turns driving.

Drive carefully!

Add an extra day or two and do a warm up walk the day before

Start the climb early to allow for a suitable pace and breaks

Avoid Lord's Rake

Ignore the SatNav and just use the maps!!

All that said. what an amazing and beautiful place. And I recommend The Screes in Nether Wasdale to anyone!

well you certainly livened up a trip to the lakes

how did it take you 8 hours to get there?