First snow of winter.

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After a wet day in Dumfries yesterday it was good to see the sun as we left home for the hills today. Susan is still nursing a sore leg so we decided on a short round up Skiddaw via Ullock Pike. The hills were covered in cloud as we set off but this lifted slowly as we climbed and by the time we topped out on Ullock there was some blue sky and sunshine. There was, however, still cloud on the higher tops and a sharp north east wind had us layering up. There were no views from the next top, Carl Side, so we just pressed on up the final steep pull on to Skiddaw. It was at this point that a light covering of snow started to appear. We had passed four groups on the climb so far but there was no one on the summit. We didn't linger long and dropped down over Broad End back to the car. The views towards west Cumbria and across the Solway were excellent.
Susan's leg was not 100% but she thoroughly enjoyed her first hill day in two weeks.

On the top of Ullock Pike.



Looking back along Longside Edge.



The snowy summit ridge of Skiddaw.



The descent and view of west Cumbria.



Looking back at Ullock Pike.



Today's route.


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