Mountain Day.

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The forecast for today was for sunshine and blue skies but this was wrong. We did, however, have a good mountain day.
On seeing cloud covering the fells we changed our original plan to go to Wasdale and headed instead for Borrowdale. We wanted to get up high so parked at Seathwaite and headed up Grains Gill for Great End. There were quite a few people already out but we soon past most parties and enjoyed a quiet wander up the gill. The Great End gullies still hold snow and there was ice on large parts of the crag.
Above Esk Hause we broke off the main track and headed up Great End. There were some good views but many tops were cloud covered. It was cold in a fresh westerly wind and we both layered up on the summit.
Our next top was Ill Crag, with it's fantastic view down Eskdale, followed by Broad Crag. We had lunch here away from the crowds clearly visible on the top of Scafell Pike.
The climb up to the Pike from Broad Crag col needed care as there was a bit of old snow on the track but we were soon on England's highest hill. We didn't linger as the cloud had rolled in and there were no views.
Our descent took us down to Lingmell col and then up onto Lingmell where we had a seat to enjoy the peace and quiet and views. Quite a contrast to Scafell Pike.
We returned to Borrowdale via the Corridor Route and Styhead track. As is often the case the weather steadily improved as we descended and it was a pleasant afternoon when we arrived at the car. 
My breathing was fine all day and we look forward to many more days in the mountains over the summer.

Great End from the top of Grains Gill.


Looking down Borrowdale to Skiddaw.


Esk Pike and Bowfell from Great End.


Scafell Pike from Ill Crag.


Cloud covers the top of Great Gable.


Scafell Pike from Broad Crag.


Great End and Broad Crag from Ligmell.


Lingmell summit.


On the Corridor Route.


Scrambling up the 'Bad Step'.


Styhead Tarn.


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