Wetherlam and A Wild Night Out
Is there anything better than getting out while the early dawn light is still blue and the land lay in shadow, the day laced with anticipation of the thing you are about to do? An adventure of any kind, any size, it doesn’t matter what or where - you have ignored the niggling doubts, the desire to lay slumbering for a little longer and opted to make the most of another day on planet earth.
Saturday was one such day. Although body weary from the week’s work, the alarm was set for an early start; the promise of a full weekend of fair weather too good to pass up on. We had settled on a circular hike taking in the 763m summit of Wetherlam, going up steel edge and down Wetherlam edge, followed by our first night camping of the year.
Our bags were already packed the night before so a quick breakfast was all we needed and we were out the door and into the warm pale morning light right on time; with the first warm sunny weekend of spring forecast, we knew we wouldn’t be the only ones with the intention of heading into the hills. Our early start paid off as we rolled into the nearly empty car park. A couple of hikers were lacing up boots and shouldering packs and we exchanged pleasantries about the weather and our planned routes for the day. They were heading for the summit of Wetherlam via the same circular route, but going in the opposite direction to us. We bid each other a good day in the fells and headed out on our separate ways.
By now the sun was just peeking over the tops of the hills, bathing sunward slopes in light and warmth while cold still lingered in the shadows. We straddled both spring and winter as the path wound upwards out of the valley following Tilberthwaite gill towards the open fells and our first glimpse of the ridge leading to the summit. Grassy and easy-going to begin with, steel edge soon became steeper and rocky with hands as well as feet needed to help us scramble over the roughest sections. Benji thrives when the climbing gets more interesting - even though I know better than to underestimate what kids are capable of, he often surprises me with his skill and confidence. I suppress my urge to tell him to be careful and try to trust in his ability and experience. After several failed hikes recently, it is a relief to see him having fun on the mountain again.
As we clear the last short scramble, we emerge into bright sunshine and open space and for the first time in a long while we are warm despite our elevation. Pausing to rest before heading to the summit, the warmth allows us to linger in a way that winter prohibits, the cold wind always buffeting and ushering, demanding constant movement whether you like it or not.
At the summit cairn, the two (male) hikers from the car park arrive shortly after us. They are surprised to see us there already and are sure to tell Emma that they went the “hard way”, seemingly aggrieved that a child and a woman could have beaten them in a race they didn't know they were having.
Scrambling up is fun, but scrambling down less so, especially on slippery rock. Wetherlam edge had plenty of steep rocky sections in store for our descent, in some places sliding down on backsides was the only way to make it safely down which didn't seem to bother Benji one bit as he slid and scraped his way across the rock. Thankfully he was wearing his little Fjällräven Vidda trousers which are hands down the best outdoor trousers he’s had so far and have stood up to all sorts of abuse (thank you to Fjällräven for sending us a pair to try). As an aside, we are planning a post on outdoor gear for kids in the coming weeks - we fully believe in investing in good kit for kids if we want them to be happy and comfortable in the same places we venture into.
After a slower and tricker than expected descent, it was a relief to get to easier terrain on the lower slopes. We bounced easily along the last section of the trail which headed back towards the steep sided ravine of Tilberthwaite gill, leading us to end of a super fun hike and to a now fully packed car park.
Later in the warm afternoon sun, we made our way to a spot by the river to camp out for the first time this year. Although still only early March, the night time temperatures were forecast to be as high as 6 degrees, which is closer to summer temperatures than typical winter averages so we had no fears of being cold despite the early start to the camping season. We made a small fire by the water’s edge for warmth as the sun dipped down and the evening cooled, but it wasn’t long before the temptation to slide into our sleeping bags was too great. I can’t find words to tell you how nice it was to be sleeping outside with just the sound of the river and tawny owls hooting all through the night for company.
Morning came early, as it always does when camping. Although not for Benji who was still sleeping soundly whilst we made coffee in our AeroPress and bacon sizzled on the gas stove. As the sun rose above the hills and light poured onto the surface of the river we were tempted in for a swim. It’s the first time we have been in the water since Christmas Day, due to one thing or another and although the air temperature was unusually warm for the time of year the water was still icy cold, but it felt good to be in the river again, invigorated, refreshed and reset.
For some, heading out into Nature is an escape from reality, from the hum drum monotony of daily life. But I think we have this wrong. To me to go into Nature it is to embrace reality. Nature is the one wild truth in a sea of artificial constraints and distractions - hiking, camping, slow adventuring are all ways for us to get closer to all that is real and true.
Somewhat reluctantly, we packed up all our kit, tidied away the remains of our fire and headed home, satisfied that we had done the things we set out to do, making the most of one glorious day here on planet earth and with fresh enthusiasm for more adventures to come…