Wet snow and overcast sky.

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The weather forecast promised a better day with some sunny periods so we were up and out early. As soon as the fells came into view the forecast looked wrong and so it proved to be until we were driving home!!!  We decided on a short route in the northern fells over Bannerdale Crag and Bowscale Fell. Unsure of the back roads we parked at Scales on the A66 and headed up into Mousthwaite Comb before dropping down to Glendermakin Beck to gain the slopes of Bannerdale Crag. The paths were icy in places and required care but higher up we encountered large patches of soft wet snow. These were hard work and having forgotten my gaiters I soon had wet feet. The summit of Bannerdale was damp and windy so we pressed on to Bowscale Fell. This leg of the route is normally boggy but today it was a mix of frozen ground and wet snow. The shelter on the summit was full of snow but we got out of the wind a wee bit and had a hot drink. As we descended there was no sign of the promised 'bright spells' so at the head of the Glendermakin valley we decided to head down after a quick sandwich. Amazingly as we descended Mousthwaite Comb we could see clear signs of a small avalanche - an indication of how much snow there has been this winter. The overcast sky stayed with us until we reached Keswick when blue sky appeared for our journey home - typical!!!!!!

The summit of Bannerdale Crag.



In the shelter on Bowscale Fell.



Descending into an overcast Glendermakin valley.



Mousthwaite Comb with clear signs of a wee avalanche in the centre of the photo.



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