Status Quo on Skiddaw

A hectic week or two meant that I hadn't been able to hit the fells, so on the first opportunity it was pretty disappointing to find  them shrouded in low cloud. Surprisingly Skiddaw just had a little whiff of the grey stuff licking its summit and that looked like it would be blown clear - a better proposition then the obscured Great Gable.

Of course this is Skiddaw and any fancy notions of actually getting a view are ill founded.

The sun is out to play, looking towards Binsey...

A circuit of Barkbethdale & Southerndale - The dog passes 700

I had time this morning for a quick dash out, so cutting out travelling time and walking something close would mean more time on the hill. Fortunately one of my local hills is Skiddaw, it may lack some of the dramatic scenery & excitement of the other Lakes 3000 footers but when approached over Longside Edge it is still a fine hill.

Today the dog would pass his 700th Wainwright (not including Outliers!).

The view up Southerndale from Watches - Skiddaw to Ullock Pike...

A Round of Southerndale - Skiddaw

Less than a hour earlier, I had been complaining about the lasts months weather, usually a few good days make up for the bad days - however this winter there hasn't been enough good days to compensate. Cue opening the curtains as the sun came up to moderately clear skies full of early morning pinks & peaches, this is where the hill vs Christmas shopping diplomacy began. After extensive talks and bargaining a deal was struck - a quick dash up a hill (my favourite hobby) followed by a stint of Christmas shopping (my least favourite hobby) with wifey. I had planned a quick up & down of Grisedale Pike but Skiddaw was too tempting...

Southerndale, the pink-peach colour display now over with...

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...