My first proper winter walk was the Fairfield Horseshoe last year, and having seen the snow caps on the fells around Ambleside, I had high hopes for a similar day - and I wasn’t disappointed! A fairly early start saw me walking up the Kirkstone Road, huffing, puffing, and perhaps regretting that extra pint of Cumbria Way the previous night. Before long I left the road above Roundhill Farm, and started the long and steady ascent of Red Screes, via Snarker Pike. Once past Flesh Crags, winter kicked-in and I revelled in icy ground, then fairly deep soft snow, and finally something of a blizzard on the summit. No crampons were needed, but my little snow grips were a godsend. Where today differed from my last snow walk, was that I actually got some views, not least a glorious view down to Middle Dodd, the second summit of the walk.

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Leaving the summit of Red Screes, I cut down to the wall and after that Middle Dodd was easily reached. I followed the wall back again, then traversed to the path following the wall down towards Scandale Pass. This was a glorious section of the walk, all fresh snow, great views, the fun of downhill plodging. Once at the stile on the Scandale Pass, it was simply a case of walking back to Ambleside, pausing frequently to look back up at these glorious snow-dusted fells.

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr

Walking in the Eastern Fells by Christopher Watson, on Flickr