From Work Desk to Wainwrights: The Pre-Lakes Buzz

bootsandbanter
Jun 12
3 min read

Updated: Jun 18

It’s almost go time.

The route plans are done.

The bags are (almost) packed.

And in true Mira-style, I’ll be finishing work on Friday, grabbing a big coffee, blasting my favourite songs, and heading straight for the fells — no pit stops, no detours, just me, my backpacks, and some glorious car karaoke echoing down the M6.

Destination: the Lake District. Again.

And yet, even after so many trips, it still feels fresh. Still exciting. Still like the start of something — even though I know the drill:

Drive up, park up. Head straight onto the hills.

No rest. That’s what walking is for, right?

I’ll be based in Keswick for two nights, which already feels like home.

But the real focus is the hills — a full weekend of Wainwright-chasing, ridge-wandering, and (despite what I say) definitely not chasing extra Birketts that “just happen” to be nearby. I mean, I planned sensible routes this time.

Definitely.

Probably.

Feet Down, Engine Off

Day one starts the moment I arrive, feet on the trail within minutes of turning off the engine. I’ve lined up three days of proper effort — long distances, high climbs, and the kind of terrain that will either build character or break me (again).

And honestly? I can’t wait.

This one matters even more — it’s my big pre-Welsh 15 test weekend. The last heavy-duty mountain mileage before the 24-hour madness on July 5.

I’m hoping this trip sharpens the legs, builds the confidence, and maybe reminds me that I’ve actually got this.

There’s something about these weekends that always makes me feel alive.

The buzz of setting off.

The satisfaction of ticking off peaks.

The way the Lake District manages to feel familiar and brand new at the same time.

I never quite know how it’s going to go — and that’s part of the fun.

So here’s to another adventure.

Same base. New version of me.

Let’s see what this one brings.

And if you see someone power-walking out of a car park, radiating suspicious levels of energy, grinning like she’s already summited something and found a flapjack at the top… yep, that’s me...

MIND 🧠

Maybe the point isn’t finding all the answers,

but proving I can keep going without them.

One peak at a time, one deep breath closer to whatever’s next.

Priorities, Apparently...

I just realised I’ll be finishing Friday’s hike around 8pm (or later!), somewhere between sweat, summit, and dinnerless doom.

Most places stop serving food by then, and I’ll still need to drive from Honister to Keswick, check in (I may have sweet-talked the hosts into a post-20:00 arrival), and then…

Maybe forage for food like a feral fell goblin?

Let’s be honest — I’m prioritising peaks over dinner. Again.

Weekend Route Preview

Let’s see how this pans out, shall we? 😅

Friday Evening – Short, Sweet, and Steep (No Time Wasted)

Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, Base Brown (4 Wainwrights, 3 new!)
4 Birketts for good measure
- 📏 11.2 km | ⛰️ 826 m | ⏱️ ~4.5 hrs

Saturday – The Big One

Rosthwaite Fell, Eagle Crag, Sergeant’s Crag, Ullscarf, Great Crag, Grange Fell (6 Wainwrights)
11 Birketts (I swear it just... happened)
- 📏 28 km | ⛰️ 1693 m | ⏱️ ~10 hrs