Aiming low - Sale & Ling Fell

Only a short walk today, for two reasons the cloud base was, as forecast,  low and the poor weather was to deteriorate even further as the day progressed. Sale & Ling Fell are an ideal choice for when every else is clagged up, it was also today's choice for a mountain bike orienteering event - a sport I'd previously never heard of.

Sale Fell over Burthwaite Woods from the climb up Ling Fell...

Skiddaw - Usual conditions prevail!

It was the day before what was being billed as 'the worst storm for 60 years' and the forecast was looking reasonable. XCWeather & the Met Office had big fat yellow suns on Keswick, MWIS predicted a 70% chance of cloud free summits, cloud base of about 800m possibly lower in passing showers of drizzle - certainly the calm before the storm. 

Away from fictional forecasts, reality wasn't as kind; although the cloud was rising rapidly. The lower summits of Bakestall, Ullock Pike & Longside Edge all cleared as I approached and parked at Peter House Farm. However it soon obscured them completely.

The track up Dash Valley...

Misty Matterdale Common - The Eastern Dodds

The first of December, the dark nights are closing in as the shortest day approaches & unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any let up in the miserable damp dank weather. Its time winter finally arrived, but December began the same as November finished.

According to MWIS the highest cloud base could be found in the Far Eastern Fells so it was a surprise to see the Dodds cloud free and the hills over Ullswater hidden in grey - a quick U-Turn found us parked in Dockray. Originally this was going to be a round of Deepdale & Dowthwaite Head but a brief aspect of Clough Head from Great Dodd enticed us with the chance of the only summit view of the day, as expected it clouded over.

Looking down onto Dockray from Watermillock Common...

Gasgale Crags - More unsuccessful cloud dodging

With a forecast for low cloud I originally intended a crossing of Lord's Seat and its surrounding hills but as I passed through Cockermouth the cloud had lifted & was just licking the summit of Hopegill Head, an old fell-running route of mine looked promising.

A new bridge spans Gasgale Gill, replacing the one that was washed away in the 2009 floods... 

Not quite a round of Stoneycroft

This was intended to be a round of Stoneycroft Gill, but eager to leave the busy car park & deep in conversation we set off up the mine road, completely forgetting that the 'correct' way up Sleet Hause was from below Rowling End. It wasn't a problem as we picked up the diagonal path that begins near the fold on High Moss that leads to the Causey Pike - Scar Crags ridge.

The start of the Cobalt Mine road near Stoneycroft...

Brocken Spectre's & a circuit of Rannerdale

After two walks that lacked in both interest and views it was time for something a bit special to lift my spirits. If you are ever in need of a 'hill pick me up' then the Buttermere Fells are the tonic of choice & coupled with a fine forecast these hills will lift the darkest of moods.

An empty car park - always a great way to start a walk - I didn't see anybody all day...

A tale of two Mells - Great & Little Mell Fell

Both of these two Eastern Wainwrights are great viewpoints, unfortunately the weather restricted the views - at least it didn't rain. Both the summits of Great & Little Mell Fell are topped with Bowl Barrows.

Room for a few cars at the end of this track...