Almost as soon as we set off I knew I was a lot less fit than I had foolishly imagined myself to be. Working in and around the Cumbrian fells of the Lake District I seem to be under some sort of delusion that simply looking at those hills could make me fit … Having decided to go for a ‘proper’ walk this Bank Holiday weekend, a friend and I set off up Latterbarrow. For those of you familiar with this particular l’al fell you’ll know it’s hardly in the same league as Scafell Pike or Helvellyn, but for a part-time hiker like me, it was more than big enough.
I’d recently been given a pair of walking boots to try out so this was their first real test. Before Christmas I had hurt my foot (falling down stairs and no, there was no alcohol involved, honest) and have not been able to do much walking since. So now I needed something that would give my left foot some support and not be too clumpy to weigh me down. Must admit, their name was rather daunting for a wimpy walker like me – the Hi-Tec Altitude IV WPi NT Enviro Boots – did that mean I HAD to climb to high altitude? The 4th version? What was WPi?! However, I did know what the NT stood for = National Trust, because they have collaborated with Hi-Tec to produce this “environmentally considered walking boot.” Now. I’ll leave you to read all about “their naturally dyed reduced chrome leather uppers, recycled metal steel shanks and a durable recycled rubber content outsole”; suffice to say that they look good, feel very strong & supportive and certainly helped me make it to the top of that fell.
Latterbarrow overlooking Windermere
So, with plenty of stops en route to ‘admire the view’ we finally made it. Stretched out on the mossy, rocky ground, rather breathless, with the Lake District fells all around, the views were so worth the effort. Supremely gorgeous, laid out below us on one side was Windermere, sprawling sinuously out from Ambleside towards Bowness with toy yachts and dingies drifting about in the spring breeze. In the other direction the mighty Langdales swooped and crinkled away in the distance, with the cluster of quaint grey and white temptations that is Hawskead village snuggled cosily below. A young lad and his parents came wandering up to the large cairn and posed for their celebratory photo before settling down to an impromptu picnic, no doubt feeling, as we did, that the effort to make it that far, definitely deserved a ham sandwich and a relaxing few minutes to enjoy the moment …
Certainly worth the ascent for such a lovely view. And thanks for giving me ideas for new walking boots.
Cheers Barry – well worth the effort … and I’ve just met someone who has the men’s boots and rates them too!
The first sentence of your post really should be the tagline to my website! I’m a great one for overestimating my fitness; I’m superwoman in my psyche…
Love the boots! Happy rambling 🙂
Karen – lovely to connect with a fellow wanderer rather than fell runner! If i got under the Sorting Hat it’d definitely be Hufflepuff for me 😉 Love your site http://www.ladyhiker.com so have put it on our Face Book site http://www.facebook.com/thequirkytraveller
Those boots definitely do look a lot newer than mine Zoe! Quite a thing to do a first walk in a new pair of boots, so the fact that there was no mention of blisters or aching toe nails is a good recommendation … plus that they supported your injured foot!
I’m all for posts which reinforce that there are so many amazing views to be had without scaling the top of the highest peaks. I’m all for the occasional long haul; but I love that there is so much more time, to sit and soak up the view, on a less strenuous walk…and for me that is very much why I’m out there 🙂
Welcome to the hills Zoe, I did a great walk on Friday round The Troutbeck Tongue, see the post on my site, which is really good if you are not so fit.
//reasonstogonorth.com/troutbeck-tongue/
Alvina
Thanks Alvina. I have been walking our fells for some years (tho not higher ones for ages) but after injuring my foot last year I’ve not been out much at all … Latterbarrow was my first attempt since and I will certainly give your Troutbeck one a go sometime soon 🙂
It’s always worth the effort Zoe! Pushing your way to the top of any fell in the Lakes is always rewarding and I concur, no blisters from ‘first-time worn’ boots is a very rare thing, will have to have a look into some of those!!
Hi, yes a lovely walk, beautiful Spring day, fresh air and a just the right length walk. The boots did a better than imagined job for a sore foot which is actually a broken foot. Hope its not too long before the next uphill sprint.
Yes, must admit the ‘Lysfranc Injury’ diagnosis last week came as a bit of a shock Kathryn. Explains why foot was still hurting but all credit to those boots. Doc says I can still walk – just the leaping gazelle-like from rock to rock that is out!
I know hiking boots are not fashion statement, but those are good-looking boots too! I’m just beginning to consider I need new ones (i.e. later this year depending on how much I do in the meantime!), so I should wait till I get to UK it seems ….which is something I was going to do anyway…..not so much choice here – downside of island living, you see. Comfy inside? I wear out mine from inside rather than out (‘orrible feet). Available from NT shops?
Know what you mean about the look of walking boots – I love these becasue they are so light as well as comfortable. I’m not sure if NT shops stock them but will have a look next time I am in one. They are certainly available online. There must be plent of excellent walking routes on your lovely island of Tenerife.