27th December ......Fairfield round

With a  dusting of fresh snow and a reasonable forecast our objective of the day was the classic Lakeland walk "The Fairfield Round".  At 10 miles in length and over 2800' of ascent its no push over for a winter walk, and while its hard to get lost on the way up the ridge towards the summit of Fairfield, once on the summit plateau good navigation skills are needed when the cloud and mist is shrouding the tops.

Photographic conditions on the day were superb, the cloud stayed off the tops for most of the time and  shafts of light dappled the fell sides, making some lovely images.

Unnamed tarn nr Heron Pike

South to Windermere 

Seat Sandal, Grisedale Tarn, and teh Helvellyn Range

Black Buttress, Fairfield

15 December...........No 2 Gully , Helvellyn

As I drove across the A66 this morning the prospect of all the snow being stripped off teh Fells was becoming more and more of a possibility, but as I got further along the side of Ullswater towards Glenriding I could see that the summits were holding onto some large ares.

I followed some steps up No: 2 gully, which improved with height as the snow became a lot firmer.

Red Tarn Cove, Helvellyn

Brown Cove

Catstycam 

V Corner, No:2 Gully, No:1 gully

No: 2 Gully

V Corner

12th December.. Ingleborouh

Snow has come to the Dales just in time for a white Christmas, the wind chill stopped me going all the way to the summit of Ingleborough but still managed to knock off a few shots on the way.
As I returned to the car the sun was dipping down towards the horizon and the light shot across the snow with that lovely golden evening glow photographers love.

December Lakes

Buttermere:  A great view point looking North West from the summit of High Stile above Buttermere, but not great lighting this time.

6th December 2014, Pavey Ark .Jacks Rake...Stickle Tarn

With the forecast looking good for the morning, but turning wet and wintery in the afternoon we set off early to climb the classic grade 1 scramble of Jakes Rake on Pavey Ark.  Climbing the path to Stickle Tarn alongside Stickle Gyll from the Old Dungeon Gyll pub is always a treat with the spectacular water falls giving a big mountain feel to the ascent.
The view back across to Side Pike is always worth turning round for, and today it came and went as the cloud and mist rolled in and out.
As we arrived at the Tarn the mist swirled round the flat calm water and gave a eerie feel with the brooding mass of the cliffs of Pavey Ark standing over the scene.

Stickle Tarn reflections and mist
Lumix GF1 with 14mm  and processed in Lightroom

After a quick stop for some refreshment we set off to climb the rake, .......

wet and slippery all the way, ........lunch on the summit and back down in the valley all too quickly, but avoided the rain !!