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Two subsequent days, almost two seasons apart. 

Saturday on Latrigg turns arctic as the sun went away and the wind increased. 

Sunday however saw the sun return and the snow showed quite a different aspect of its nature.

Join us first on a walk up Latrigg from Gale Road car park.

You can tell it is a non-working day for me . . . Ann is with me and the sun has gone in.

As we drove over to Latrigg the summit was bathed in sunshine and the prospects were good for that classic view from the top.

At the top of Gale Road, the snow covered the road and conditions were "on the slippery side of slushy".

As we parked the car a big cloud gathered on the western horizon

dragged across the sky by a keen northerly wind, as cold as ice . . . it was a case of winter gloves from the start !

We saw the last of the sunshine leave the slopes of Blencathra as we started our walk.

It was Saturday and there we loads of folk about, many of whom were enjoying toboggan rides on the gentle slopes on the back of the fell.

[ I'm actually surprised that my photos don't have more people in them, there were so many here today.]

With the sunshine gone, Skiddaw looked particularly cold and bleak.

You may just be able to make out the cars by the low hedge and gate . . . and the path up Jenkin Hill following the fence line into the clouds.

We took the all-weather, all-terrain, wheelchair friendly path across the fell.

Full marks to anyone who could negotiate it with a wheelchair today.

Dylan is obviously enjoying it as Ann heads off into the breeze,

the outline of Causey Pike and the North Western fells in view ahead.

As the path temporarily dips where it meets the Spooney Green track,

the view ahead now extends from Grisedale Pike on the right to Scafell Pike on the extreme left.

With a change of lens then the summit of Scafell Pike gains greater proportions.

The four summits are Great End, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike and Lingmell, but only three of them feature as Wainwright tops.

Ann (briefly) sits on the chair at the turn of the path.

Below is Derwent Water and the broad sweep overlooking Keswick.

Click here or on the photo above for a Loweswatercam 360 degree annotated panorama.

Time to be off and keep warm.

The view here is across to the Thirlmere Valley, High Rigg where we were the other day and on towards the summit of Helvellyn.

A townscape panorama looking back from the summit of Latrigg.

You can tell it is the summit because of the snowman !

Unfortunately the sunshine of the last few days and the wind of the last few nights has removed the snow from the very top,

hence the diminutive character we met up here on the grass.

As we turn our backs that wind creeps up on us in no uncertain manner.

The spindrift of blown snow sweeps over the edge.

This is where all the summit snow has gone.

Possibly a 'world first' photo of the snow cornices on Latrigg . . . well certainly my first photo.

Harry and Dylan are sensibly staying back from the edge.

The edge has been broken as shown by the fallen snow . . . Latrigg's first avalanche maybe ?

Further along the ridge, by the last larch tree, we decide that enough is more than sufficient

and decide to return to the car early by following the next fence back over the hill.

Did you notice this large snowman in the last but one photo ?

One last look back over the ridge at Scafell Pike before we head back to the car.

The sun seems to be making a slight come back . . . maybe there will be sunset colour in the west after all.

- - - o o o - - -

Short pause now as we head west . . . back to Loweswater.

In our valley the snow has gone from the fields

but suddenly the sun breaks through and illuminates the tops of all the snow covered fells.

Every detail of Grasmoor's crags is picked out in the winter sun.

And our parting photo from home is of Green Gable and Great Gable turning pink in the stunning evening light.

- - - o o o - - -

Next day it is beautifully sunny, blue skies and guess what . . .

I'm in Keswick . . . it is a working day.

Latrigg would be stunning today . . . but I do manage to get out at lunchtime to appreciate the views.

Looking across Crow Park to Causey Pike.

Loads of folk also enjoying the views from the boat landings.

Skiddaw from the second jetty.

Time to be back as the lunch break is nearly over.

- - - o o o - - -

Meanwhile . . . back at Loweswater . . .

Ann has gone in search of that prolific holly tree again . . . it still has a few berries left.

If you are distracted by the view it ranges from Grasmoor on the left, Crummock Water, distant Fleetwith Pike

Mellbreak in the centre and round to Hen Comb and Black Crag  / Gavel on the right.

Higher up she reaches the current snow line

with a view over the forestry alongside Crab Tree Beck Valley plus the southern summit of Low Fell, high on the left.

Zooming in on the final photo to the high fells including Great Gable in the distance

and a cup of tea waiting at our cottage, seen down in the valley, just above the trees.

- - - o o o - - -