Lakes 100 starts.

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We've set ourselves a fell walking challenge for 2015 - climb the highest 100 summits during the year - and we made a start this weekend.
Saturday - The forecast suggested that overnight rain would blow through early in the morning to give a dry day. We, therefore, headed east to climb the 5 fells that make up the 'Dodds'. It was wet and overcast as we headed off from High Row along the Old Coach Road for Clough Head and the rain continued all the way to the summit. The forecast looked to be wrong as we reached the second top Great Dodd in snowfall but then the sky began to clear from the north to give some great views of Lakeland as we headed for Watson's Dodd. The final 2 summits - Stybarrow Dodd and Hart Side - were completed in much better conditions but the ground was sodden and too much for our light summer boots resulting in wet feet.

Clough Head - the first of the 100.


Great Dodd in snow.


The sky begins to clear on route to Watson's Dodd.


Watson's Dodd.


Heading for Stybarrow Dodd.






Susan reaching the summit - in the lead as usual.


The 4th top of the day.


Packing up after lunch.


Heading for Hart Side - a very different day.




The view to Blencathra from the summit.


Starting the descent via Birkett Fell.


Susan way ahead.


The view down Ullswater from Birkett Fell. 


The eastern fells from the summit.


Wringing out wet socks.


Sunday - We stayed nearer to home and headed for Buttermere to climb Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag. It was cold and bright as we left the village but by the time we summited Red Pike the cloud had dropped and we had no views. It was windy on the ridge connecting the 3 summits so we wrapped up well before heading off to bag High Stile and High Crag. The poor visibility lasted beyond the second top but we know this route well so there was no need for the map to come out.
As we dropped to the col below High Stile the cloud started to part and we were rewarded with some great views including a Brocken Spectre. This better weather lasted for the remainder of the round and there were many people out walking around the lake as we headed back to the car.

Buttermere at the start of the day.


Great views as we climb Red Pike.






Looking up to Red Pike from Bleaberry Tarn.


On the climb up from the tarn.


Another cloudy summit - Red Pike.


A brief break in the cloud.


Parting clouds on route to High Crag.


A Brocken Spectre - the first of the year.


The final section of the ridge comes in to view.


Buttermere.


Descending from Scarth Gap.


A good start to the Lakes 100 - 8 down 92 to go!!!!

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