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...

Long Side Edge & Dodd - More cloud dodging

With a predicted forecast of depressingly low cloud & a risk of showers by lunchtime, coupled with a late start due to work commitments today was never going to a great day. Just to darken my mood even more my walking partner wanted to tick Dodd off his remaining Wainwrights, Dodd unfortunately ranks amongst my most hated Wainwrights. However on the plus side I had convinced him to approach Dodd along Longside Edge with the option of a quick nip up Skiddaw if the cloud held off -  typically it didn't.

The path from Ravenstone to The Edge...

A quick dash up Gummer's How

Had to be in Windermere this morning so thought I'd take advantage with an opportunist Marilyn & Wainwright Outlier - managed to sneak my usual walking partner along too :)

I started from the Forestry Commission car park so the car did most of the work. Very easy going on a good path although I had a look at picking off the Birkett of Birch Fell but with hindsight should have brought my boots as it was wet & boggy  so didn't bother. Good views and a worthwhile short climb although not worth making a long trip for by itself.

Not much going on beside Windermere...

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Travelling home over Dunmail Raise and along Thirlmere, I was treated to a natural lights show as shafts of sunlight broke through the clouds. I decided Castlerigg Stone Circle would be a great foreground for the crepuscular rays and made the short detour, of course 'sods law' dictates the light show would have ended. Surprisingly I managed to grab a couple of pictures without the usual visitors in shot.

Fantastic Fairfield & the Rydal Horsehoe

Blessed with another fine forecast it was a little disappointing to see cloud on many of the higher fells. Travelling South to find cloud free summits, found us over Dunmail Pass - a choice between the Langdale Fells (walked only a few days before) or the Rydal Fells. Obviously everybody else had made the same decision as these hills where very busy!

A sun soaked Windermere from Nab Scar...

A perfect match : Winter sun & the Langdale Pikes

This was the best weekend forecast for around the last six weeks and with a thin dusting of snow on the Lakeland Fells it was impossible to resist. Great weather deserves great hills, and the Langdale Pikes never fail to disappoint. Originally hailing from Cockermouth a northerly approach from Stonethwaite is my usual route to these hills.

Eagle Crag from an icy Borrowdale...

A round of Greenburn

I had watched the long range forecast for today see-saw back & forth between sun & heavy rain, as the week progressed even the short range forecast was indecisive! I awoke to rain and as I passed under Skiddaw the wind screen wipers were on full speed, as I headed South through the Lakes it became brighter. With the rain now passed it was time to dump the car and go for a walk.

Helm Crag from Easedale...

First snow on the Ennerdale - Buttermere watershed

A walk along the Ennerdale-Buttermere watershed, with a poor forecast it was originally intended to be a crossing of Great Borne & Starling Dodd. As the cloud lifted suddenly from Red Pike it seemed a shame not to include it, from there it would be rude not to include High Stile & High Crag. A flurry of snow greeted us on the summit of High Crag, the first of the season but overall better weather than forecast. As always the six mile trudge along the forestry road back to Bowness Knott car park seemed longer than it was.

The start of climb up Bowness Knott...

Irton Pike - A quick up & down

A quick up & down, even if your not collecting Wainwright Outlying tops its still a worthy viewpoint.

Obvious parking place...

A circuit of Miterdale - Plan C

This was a last minute plan C! My plan A had been a Outlying & Birkett top collecting exercise into the Dunnerdale Fells, but unfortunately comitments slowly began to fill up the afternoon so realisticaly I'd never get them all done. My plan B would have been a walk up Lingmell to pick up the Nuttals of Round How (99% sure I've been over this one before) & Middleboot Knotts (50-50 on this one?) but as I gained my
first view down Wasdale, the cloud was just licking  Lingmell & the Scafells were well & truely in the clouds. Time for a plan C.

I had the nearby Wainwright Outlier of Irton Pike & the Birkett top of Great Bank to tick off & Boat How was overdue a re-visit. As time was now of the essence I decided to approach Great Bank from the car park half way down Mitredale and follow the Whin Rigg to Illgill Head ridge to Burnmoor Tarn - from here I could return to the car over Boat How. If time allowed I could gain Irton Pike as a quick ascent from the road.

Under no circumstance can I recommend my route up Great Bank - a longer route starting/ending under Irton Pike however would be pleasant

Great Bank, a Birkett top...