RUSS MOORHOUSE is on a mission to camp out on every Trail 100 peak – a challenge that spans four countries, 100 of the UK’s finest hills and mountains, and a punishing 88,339m of ascent. This month emotions – and weather conditions – run high, as the end of his challenge starts to loom into sight.
WILD SLEEPS THIS MONTH Great Gable Sca Fell Wetherlam
TRAIL 100 BIVVY COUNT 80/100
What makes a great camping buddy?We exist in our minds, and emotions are created by what is around us, the landscape and the company. Emotions are measured by arousal (the intensity of emotion) and valence (the level of positivity or negativity). On a scary ridge climb or battling gale-force winds the arousal level will be high. Combine that with someone who has a positive valence and you will be having a great time. 45mph winds on GREAT GABLE are no place for a tent. Will is with me, the only camping buddy who I struggle to keep up with. We opt for a fast and light style of fell-running shoes and small packs with just enough room to squeeze in the essentials – peanut butter brioche sandwiches, bivvy bag, compressed sleeping bag and a foil mat. We are sleeping on grass and it’s windy but not cold or wet. So windy, in fact, that amongst the summit boulders a gust knocks Will onto his bottom. I check he is ok before taking his picture. He takes it well, I know I am a camera pest.
Great Gable is a classic wild camping mountain. Above the western cliffs and below the summit is a grass ledge with views looking down onto Wast Water below, and the intoxicating scree that runs straight into the lake. The steep sides mean we find enough shelter to make the night endurable before making a quick and fast exit in the morning.
I’m alone on SCA FELL as I hike through Eskdale. The long and intriguing approach follows the River Esk with its plunge pools as mountains rise on all sides. Crossing Great Moss, the huge flat bog at the head of the valley, feels as wild as you can get in the Lakes. Last time I climbed Cam Spout a man had fallen down and a full-scale mountain rescue involving two helicopters was in operation. Thankfully it’s a lot quieter this time. It’s dry today but recent rain means it is in full flow. The top of Sca Fell has pointy rocks sticking up from the surface like Freddy Krueger’s finger
