Autumn colours, visitor and the first snow of winter.

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We were both off work on Monday so headed for the fells on a surprisingly bright morning. We parked up at the foot of Lad Hows ridge on Grasmoor and then walked back to Lanthwaite Green to start the climb up onto Whiteside. The autumn colours were fantastic and it looked as though we were in for a good day. However, as we climbed the cloud began to roll in from the north and by the time we reached the first summit the view had disappeared.
From Whiteside it was on to Hopegill Head and then Grasmoor where we had lunch. Our descent was down Lad Hows and the clouds began to part as we dropped back to the car giving some good atmospheric views.

A superb morning at Crummock Water.



Cloud building from the north as we climb higher up Whiteside.




No views from the summit of Hopegill Head.


Looking for Grasmoor summit.


Atmospheric shots as the cloud breaks on the descent.





Mellbreak across Crummock Water.


The view north west on the final descent.


Rannerdale Knotts and the Buttermere Fells climbed last Saturday.



On Monday evening we drove to Carlisle to pick Alec up after his almost two years away in New Zealand and SE Asia. He was soon out on the hill with us  as on Tuesday we went for a wee wander over Latrigg before having a very nice lunch in Fishers Cafe. The weather was mixed but again the autumn colours were very good.

The route up Latrigg.


'Catching up' on the ascent through the trees.


Alec and his Ma.


'A lot to chat about after nearly 2 years'


The view to Derwent Water.


Nearing the summit.


The route back to Keswick along the Cycle Track.



Today Alec and I headed out to climb Blencathra via Scales Fell ridge. The first snow of winter greeted us as we climbed higher but unfortunately there were no views for Alec on his first ascent of this great fell. We dropped off the back of Foule Crag before returning to the car via the Glenderamackin valley.

On the upper slopes of Scales Fell ridge in the first snow of winter.


Alec on the summit of Blencathra for the first time but with no view.


Alec striking a pose on the descent.


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