Bessyboot and Castle Crag are the final two Wainwrights for Michael to complete in order to accomplish his goal of climbing all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District and also his challenge in raising funds through sponsorship for the people of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Group Trust.
Bessyboots
We parked up just outside the lovely village of Stonethwaite. After getting kitted up we walked through the village with its awe inspiring rocky crags rising up ahead of usAt this signpost we continued straight ahead in the direction of Langstrath, passing, in its beautiful location, the Inn by the same name.On reaching a campsite on our left, we turned right through a gate, and began our ascent. Don't push too hard on that tree Michael!! The path up, ran alongside Big Stanger Gill.A cobbled together water supply system would provide more than enough pressure for the campsite way below.We eventually arrived at the place where we had to cross the gill, and where yours truly came a cropper. As I strode across, I stood on a large slippery stone, sliding down out of control into the gill, giving Michael a terrible fright. I did however manage to keep dry and as I clambered out, most chastened from where I had landed on my back among the rocks, Michael was more concerned than I was myself and asked me if I was hurt. No I replied, just a bruise on my shin I think.Onwards and upwards on paths that gave us no cause for complaint. The views of the Borrowdale Valley below were magnificent. As we continued on up, the path got steeper still, causing us to stop occasionally to get our breath back.On reaching this stile, the very impressive Bull Crag was over to our left and could have been on our list for a future walk, but unfortunately it looked to be fenced off. Our route was off to the right, and from here the path was relatively flat, at least for now.It was unclear which of the rocky summits to our left was Bessyboot, but by following the path which in places was not easy to follow' we skirted round the back of the ones we had been puzzling over and found it was behind them. Here is Michael making his final ascent.And here he is sat on the summit cairn. One to go.
Dinner in a cosy spot, sheltered from the wind. Below is the unusually named "Tarn at Leaves", and our route down.As we came down on the opposite side to where we had come up, we were met by a strong cold wind. Skelwith Pike stands out in the middle ground. We weren't far below cloud level.The white houses to the left is Rosthwaite, from where we will start our walk up Castle CragOnce back at the car, we drove the short distance to Rosthwaite, were we rested and had dinner before heading for the summit of Castle Crag. Castle Crag
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We had to park outside the village as all the choice places were taken. As we made our way through the village and along the access route to Castle Crag we passed several people and groups coming in the opposite direction on their way back from this popular walk.Castle Crag to the right and Derwent Water in the distance.Part of he climb is up along a zigzag path through the old quarry workings.At the top of which is a plateau, where an unusual shaped cairn overlooks the valley belowA final short climb sees us on the summit.Michaels final Wainwright completed. Well done Michael.Derwent Water from the top of the crag.On our way down we stopped at the plateau to look at the standing stones placed there by the fairies.And so we make our way down. On taking my gaiters off, the bottom of my trouser leg was soaked in blood and my shin was still bleeding slightly from my earlier mishap. A lesser man would have gone straight to A and E, 😂😂 but I just took it in my stride.
DK
Footnote: Michael has climbed all 214 Wainwrights in the Lake District in order to raise money for the Rwanda Group Trust, feeding the poorest of the poor in Rwanda.
If you wish to sponsor him, here is the 'Just Giving' link.
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