Hiley Website

Originally we were heading south but a complete change of plans finds us on the track to Skiddaw Little Man.

The weather over the other side of Dunmail Raise today really failed to impress us !

We park at Gale Road and head up to see how far we'll get while the daylight holds.

- - - o o o - - -

Keswick Vale looking a little cold this morning.

To be fair, as we headed over Whinlatter Pass we fully intended to climb Low Pike and High Pike above Ambleside.

We wanted to climb them to add to our total of our third round of Wainwrights, but then we've only reduced our outstanding total by about three this year

despite the number of fells we have climbed and re-climbed . . . we'll attain our target in due course . . . but there's no rush !

The forecast was for possible low cloud, sea mist spreading into the south west, with the north east being clearer.

This was the view as we drove over Castlerigg summit on the A591 heading south towards Thirlmere.

Mmmm . . . Ambleside was a bit grey to say the least.

The cloud didn't look inviting as inversions sometimes do and the weather forecast in Ambleside post office only hinted at possible clearance

so we posted a few Christmas Cards and headed back over Dunmail Raise, lo and behold, back into the sunshine !

Plan B . . . park at Gale Road (Latrigg) and head up to the snow on Skiddaw.

The inversion would probably have occurred . . . but were our fells above or below it ?

Ann looks back at that cold looking cloud spilling over Dunmail Raise into St John's in the Vale . . . we are happy with where we are !

Across the fields and we start the climb up Skiddaw via Jenkin Hill, passing the Howell Memorial on the way.

"Great Shepherd of Thy heavenly flock. These men have left our hill,

Their feet were on the living rock. Oh guide and bless them still." . . . The Howell inscription.

Click here or on the photo for a larger panorama

- - - o o o - - -

For those that love the coincidence of dates, the above photo was taken on the 12th day of the 12th month of 2012, at 12 minutes past 12 in the afternoon !!!

[ a coincidence which won't re-occur till one minute past one on the 1st Jan 2101 . . . 89 years from now . . . don't hold your breath ]

A new generation of shepherds still run sheep on these fells.

The old path climbs straight up, the new track curves right and climbs at a slightly gentler angle.

The Central and North Western Fells as we pass the monument.

The sky is clear but the valley looks cold and grey.

Zooming in on Grisedale Pike and Sail Fell.

Panning round to a cold looking Newlands Valley.

The southern cloud is spilling over Greenup Edge too.

The three triangular summits will be Eagle Crag, Pike O'Blisco and Coniston Old Man.

Helvellyn and Brown Cove Crags, with the cloud pushing north but never really advancing far up the valley.

We stood aside for two mad mountain bikers . . . who kindly stopped to say hello !

They had been up to the summit of Skiddaw and cycled down in the snow.

It turns out of course that they were two colleagues from work . . . Paul and Mark.

We got the low-down on the snow conditions and had our photo taken for a change.

Click here to see Paul's Go-Pro video . . . his video camera is chest mounted . . . note the harness. * not yet live

[ at present the link is to his snow ride but we may feature it when he re-drafts it to include his full ride ]

The view improved as we climb . . . can you spot the paraglider ?



Okay . . . try spotting this one.	He passed right overhead . . . note the aircraft high above.

Changing lenses quickly I followed him as he passed in front of Great Gable and Brandreth.

Turning round in front of Castle Crag . . .

. . . and turning again over the lake.

Making his approach before he finally lands down at Gale Road.

The panorama of the Keswick Valley with the sun shining on Derwent Water . . . it still looks just as cold !

Click here or on the photo for a larger panorama

Up above the snow line now as we reach the summit of the Jenkin Hill track.

The gate at the junction where our route turns left and climbs Skiddaw Little Man.

Sunshine and snow . . . with Skiddaw in the background.

Turning round, we have a lovely view east over Lonscale, Blencathra and right across to the snow covered Pennines.

A small golden dot in the distance means that Bethan is half way there already !

That view is never far out of sight . . . there even appears to be a little ice on the surface of the lake.

The predicted cloud is travelling north and east and quite a cloud bank is building over the central fells.

The wet ground conditions have turned to ice as we make our way out along the Lonscale Fence.

If you find it, do send it on . . . just now it is not a problem . . . the cut is healed nicely and he can do without for a while.

Those extra layers we put on over lunchtime stay on now as the temperature drops.

The cloud bank continues to advance and we'll have an early dusk I would suspect.

Zooming in on the Causey Pike Ridge and the High Stile Ridge over in Buttermere.

The small crags on Lonscale's northern side and a final look back at our route so far.

Who says dogs don't enjoy the view . . . neither shot was posed, the dogs walked out of their own accord.

Don't use the path . . . stay a little further from the eastern crags for safety today.

Derwent Water on the descent from Lonscale . . . it seems a long way down the fence line today.

Mmmm . . . a big mug of tea . . . those mugs hold a pint of satisfaction despite being thirty three years old.

I wouldn't worry about the quality of the photos Charlie, they look fine to me.

The cloud base looks to be a little below 2000 ft but even so it would even be touch and go for High Pike that day.

You must have been there fairly early to get all that sun . . . a great trip and one to remember for a long time I'm sure.


Remember: Press F11 for a full screen view of this page.