Fairfield, G/LD-007 - 873m ASL - NY 358 117 - OS Explorer OL5 - 8 SOTA points            

For the second leg of Wednesday 23rd July 2008's expedition, from Red Screes G/LD-017, we had to drop sharply to Scandale Pass. Our walk was then a fairly long, but easy-ish route towards Fairfield G/LD-007. Jimmy became my mountain guide, informing me of the the features we were passing by or over, such as Little Hart Crag, Dove Crag and Hart Crag.

   

Priest's Hole Cave was a diversion included as part of the Trail route, but with two SOTA activations still to go on today's route, Jimmy and I agreed to give it a miss. At Hart Crag, the ridge narrowed and a steep drop at Rydal Head lurked to our left.  We picked up the increasing frequency and size of the cairns, indicating that we were on the final approach to Fairfield summit. Indeed, this was the case, and we settled into the large summit cairn, moulded into a four-section cross shelter.

   

Jimmy posted a spot to advise that we would be QRV after lunch, but first we enjoyed the excellent cheese and ham baguettes prepared for us by the Kirkstone Pass Inn that morning. We were carrying our usual water bladders plus Kendal Mint Cake, Nutri-Grain bars and the biscuits from the tea/coffee tray in our hotel room, so there was no need for the standard packed lunch from the accommodation. I agreed a price with them for just the sandwich (baguette) component, and that's what we took.

   

Just nine contacts were made from Fairfield, but that was more than enough for us both to qualify the summit. Perhaps I was a little over cautious running just 500mW from this summit, but with not carrying the FT-817 or a SLAB, I wanted to guarantee we wouldn't run out of power on St Sunday Crag G/LD-010 later that afternoon. It wasn't a problem; nothing worse than a 54 report was received, and we were on foot again by 2.10pm.  Now came the bit I was least looking forward to - the descent of Fairfield via Cofa Pike, necessary for the traverse to St Sunday Crag G/LD-010.  Thanks to the following stations, all worked on 2m FM with 0.5 watts: