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Following three long months in exile from Lakeland we finally returned on Sunday. It’s been frustrating seeing loads of beautiful images on here and Flickr of the wonderful recent conditions and it was with an air of inevitability that the blue skies would be gone for the weekend. The forecast was still good however so off we set (a bit later than planned) for Gale road car park beneath Skiddaw.
We initially left the packs for a quick stroll over to Latrigg summit, from here it is almost certainly the easiest Wainwright to bag but the view is superb taking in Borrowdale and Derwent Water.
Derwent Water from Latrigg by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Taking it all in by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We were quickly back to the car and set off along the Cumbrian Way across the steep slopes of Lonscale Fell. The ascent of Lonscale from here is steep and somewhat dreary but quicker than expected due to the fact you start from over half way up. The best thing about the trudge up was the views behind with the sun increasingly breaking through the clouds producing crepuscular rays over Helvellyn.
Look behind you! by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Helvellyn from Lonscale Fell by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Rather than head straight for the high point we made for Lonscale Pike (a Birkett top). This is one of those minor tops that are superior to the main fell top, with the ground falling away very steeply on two sides. From here you can appreciate the fine Eastern crags of Lonscale plunging down to the Glenderaterra Beck around 500 meters below. Above this Blencathera broods with its back to you while to the North the wild bleak interior of the Northern fells is laid out culminating in the might of the Skiddaw massive to the North West.
Blencathra by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Skiddaw from Lonscale Pike by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Northern Fells by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Pals on Lonscale Pike by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
We had lunch, with the hard work of the day behind, us enjoying the views but had to move on fairly quickly as even the light breeze was very chilling.
We then made our way to the main fell top, visiting both cairns (strangely both looked higher when viewed from the other
). The main view was towards Derwent Water where the crepuscular rays were increasing in intensity to give a wonderful light show.
Lonscale Fell by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
God Rays over God's Country by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr (click for bigger version)
We made our way over the partially frozen and snow covered ground towards the (very) minor top of Jenkin Hill before the short sharp pull up to Skiddaw Little Man brought us to our high point for the day. The path had quite a bit of snow on it so it was a case of carefully picking our way alongside until the ground leveled and Skiddaw Lesser Mans extravagant wrought iron enhanced cairn was reached. Another Birkett ticked for the hill nerd (who me?
) before we reached the top whose view Alfred Wainwright rated above all others. It was impossible to argue today with rays cascading over the landscape rewarding us with a truly memorable view.
Along the Wall by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
On the Way to Skiddaw by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Coledale by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Helvellyn by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
Derwent Water by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
AW's favorite by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr (click for bigger version)
We had Coffee and fruit loaf (gave up cake for lent) on the top with me itching to continue on to Skiddaw. Having already bagged the big’un I was unfortunately out voted so all that was left for the day was the trudge down the fairly awful tourist path back to the car enjoying the daring do of the many paragliders up in the sky.
On the Way Down by
johnkaysleftleg, on Flickr
A fine day out, some lovely light and our Wainwright bagging finally kick started for the year, great stuff.