Lakes and Tarns

I've just returned from 3 days based in Grasmere for SwimTrek's Lakes and Tarns swim holiday. Across the days I've swum around 4km which is far more than my usual training load, but so far, no harm done.

Grasmere village straddles the River Rothay

The hotel was able to check us in a little early which was convenient although the welcome message was to my mind slightly ambiguous as to how we should prepare. I suspect that I'm a bit pedantic and my questions were seemingly on many participants' minds in the Q&A. Our first swim was a dip in Grasmere from close to the tourist beach. A 150m triangle was laid out for use to circulate around so that we could get a feel for 18°C water and the guides could appraise our swimming abilities informally. The water started clear but became cloudy as we disturbed the sediment.

Day 2 was a walk-swim-walk-swim-walk sequence. I was allocated to a faster swim group than previously which was perhaps a mistake. The whole group would swim from the south of Grasmere, along the River Rothay, into Rydal water and then loop back at various points for the return. The longest route would be 2400m which is a lot for me. Around the time we should turn back I started to feel cold and felt my strength ebbing away. The journey back was slow and done in 100m steps encouraged by one of the local safety guides. I accepted a tow for a 100m or so but determined to complete the swim under my own power. I was distinctly cold when I landed and very glad of a steading hand and a sweet, hot drink. With warm clothes, a walk and lunch I recovered and was happy to do a loop in Grasmere in the afternoon although I was aware of some shoulder soreness. For me it was quite an achievement to manage 3km.

I was vey much looking forwards to the third day where we walked to Easedale Tarn for a brief swim before returning to town for lunch and departure. I've walked and run up to the tarn a few times and been attracted by the clean mountain water but never ventured in.

Thanks to the guide team for this photo in Easedale Tarn

I left the group very much wishing that I was starting the holiday again (after a day's break for a shoulder rest). The other participants were great and helped each other out as needed. The SwimTrek guides (Andy and Orla) and local safety team (Becki and Justin) were absolutely perfect in allowing us to rise to challenges and support where required.

Grasmere & Rydal Water

This morning I went with adventureswithemma.com on a swim hike across Grasmere and Rydal Water in the English Lake District. Previously the weather had been wet which had lowered the water temperature (it was around 14°C) and raised the water levels distinctly. As a novice open water swimmer I didn't want to swim too much in a single leg and this route made sense to me.

We met by the main road and changed into wetsuits before a short walk to the southern side of Grasmere. After some briefing on the Ruckraft and the morning's schedule we started on acclimatisation. It's good physics that water in the wetsuit is ultimately warming but it's always a shock to let it in. Fairly soon we headed across the lake and after a few minutes breaststroke I got my face in and headed for the far side. The swim was briefer than I'd thought and soon we were unpacking shoes to walk to Rydal Water. Looking at the GPS track later the swim was under 300m, so yes, short.

In Grasmere

It's worth mentioning that the Ruckrafts are small inflatable 'U' shaped boats that support a rucsac within a large drybag. I'd expected that towing a hiking pack and shoes would be arduous but the effort seemed negligible. Moreover, the float was well behaved and only caught on my feet a few times and was readily moved 'downstream' to be out of the way. We were able to place the raft on our packs to walk to Rydal Water.

We walked a fair way along Rydal Water to reach calm water. Emma said that often the river is a safe and attractive entry to the lake but certainly not today. Walking was a good way to walk up after the first dip but the water beckoned again and we swam around two islands and back to a southern beach. Another 800m or so

Emma towing a Ruckraft in Rydal Water

Then we quickly (well as fast as one can with cooling digits) changed into hiking clothes and packed the deflated Ruckraft onto our packs. There was a brisk walk back to the car park via the 'corpse road' which gave excellent views of the valley and kept us away from traffic. I enjoyed the walks but would have like to have fitted in a third swim in the route. But perhaps better to leave wanting more, than wish to have done less?

The trip was a good opportunity for an otherwise solo swimmer to access the two lakes safely, and experience linking with a hike. Emma was clearly accustomed to the waters and used to managing guests so I'd recommend her company.

 

Easedale Tarn

The path started smooth, tarmaced and level, or even downhill, so the atypical summer sun was bearable at a moderate jog. As the gravel started the incline appeared, a stealthy attack on progress. Soon the surface was 'improved' with ankle-cracking slate slabs spaced to catch careless toes. An erosion solution with a hidden cost to health? Approaching the valley head progress slowed as rocky steps formed the route, occasional at first but progressing into a staircase too steep for running by city dwellers. Laborious steps and loose gravel formed the barrier to the corrie lip where the cool water was revealed beyond a soft carpet of mountain grass.

A literal dipping of toes was refreshing but all too brief. On this terrain a Grade Adjusted Profile reveals the cautious runners where descent pace is less than ascent. The fear of loose stones and uneven steps precipitating broken arms and teeth decelerates those with more imagination than skill. Short sections of firm trail are an opportunity to make progress ever more so as the curve shallows. The ankle-slabs were fewer whilst retracing steps, so the pace must have been better, or technique quickly learnt. The tarmac though is now uphill, through a village with tourists curious at the flustered runner. Why is the last 100m of a run always uphill?