A calm day above Buttermere.

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An extra hour in bed due to the clocks 'falling back' was great today but with an earlier sunset we made sure to pack the headtorches before heading off to Buttermere. It was a bright morning on the coast and across the Solway in Scotland but the Lakeland Fells were cloud covered. Despite this the autumn colours were great and there were some good reflections in Crummock Water.
We parked up at the bottom of Newlands Hause and walked along the NE shore of Buttermere lake to Gatesgarth. From here we climbed steeply up the NW ridge of Fleetwith Pike a route I've not done for years. It was very calm and we were soon stripping down to base layers to cool down. The fells were eerily quiet and remained so all day.
From the summit of Fleetwith we dropped down to Honister Slate mine where we had lunch before climbing up on to Dale Head. The weather changed at this stage with cloud building up and rain beginning to fall. We chose to leave out Robinson and headed staright to Hindscarth. Despite the change in weather there were still some good views especially north to Dumfries and Galloway which was bathed in sunshine.
The final descent was very boggy as we crossed Buttermere Moss but we were soon back at the car and heading home in day light. In the weeks to come this will not always be the case.

The NW  ridge of Fleetwith Pike across Buttermere.


On the ridge looking down the valley.


Buttermere from Fleetwith Pike summit.


Skiddaw from Dale Head summit.


Susan gets ready for the rain.


The final descent of the day.

 

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