First snow of winter.

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The first snow of winter fell on the Lakeland fells on Friday. This always starts people dreaming of days out in full winter conditions but sadly it rarely happens. Let's hope it does this year.
Jeff, Pete and I went to the climbing wall in Keswick on Friday evening and drove home under a clear moonlit sky. The gave some hope for some good weather on Saturday. However, when we got up the sky was grey and rain looked likely. We headed east with no definite plan but as the higher tops were cloud covered we decided to stay low. Our route took us up Causey Pike from the Newlands Hause road. There was a light covering of snow in places and the summit was cool in a fresh breeze. We didn't continue along the ridge but dropped down to climb Outerside and then Stile End and Barrow. From the last top we dropped back down to the car and then headed to Keswick for a wee bit of lunch and Christmas shopping. 

The first snow of winter on the ascent of Causey Pike.


Scrambling up the summit rocks of Causey Pike.


Causey Pike summit.


Heading for the descent to Outerside.


Outerside summit.


Heading for Barrow.


Causey Pike the first top of the route.


Starting the descent from Barrow.


A brighter sky on the descent gave good views across Keswick to Blencathra.


Skiddaw remained cloud capped all day.


Today dawned overcast and windy. We wanted to go to the Victoria Christmas Market in Keswick so headed there after a bit of  a lie in. It was a brighter day but the clouds were 'rattling' across the tops in a strong wind. The choice was easy - another low level walk followed by a wander around the market. We took the C2C cycle route towards Threlkeld but left it at Brudholme to climb Latrigg via it's east ridge. Heavy showers swept across the fells giving some impressive views but non of them hit us. More snow covered the higher tops and it was very cold in the NW wind. 
The market was a little disappointing so we had a walk down to Derwent Water before heading home where we enjoyed a large slice of Susan's superb homemade birthday Carrot Cake.

Climbing the east ridge of Latrigg.


The view down Borrowdale.


Impressive showers sweep across the fells - near the summit of Latrigg.




Keswick, Derwent Water and Borrowdale.


Starting the descent.


Sunshine on Skiddaw.


The western fells - the start of winter?


More showers but we stayed dry.



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